We have a feeling of déjà vu from the first bars of Deeper Well, title song from Kacey Musgraves’ new album. This tone straddling country, folk and pop, this diary side and this desire for independence resembles a lot of Taylor Swift. The immensely famous queen of pop, however, has one thing that Kacey Musgraves doesn’t: bite.
And that makes all the difference. Especially that Deeper Well is an extremely classic record in terms of arrangements and production. This silky folk, discreetly augmented with synth here and there, is far from the sonic explorations of Golden Hourwhich won him the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2019.
Deeper Well sounds like a return to basics, which goes hand in hand with the subject, focused on regaining self-possession and kindness towards oneself. On a musical level, this translates into very careful songs, very nicely packaged, but predictable as possible. This record then falls into a very annoying class of albums: that of super smooth records that go in one ear and come out the other. Without having struck any sensitive chord along the way.
Kacey Musgraves will be in concert at Place Bell on November 6. Lord Huron and Nickel Creek will perform at the start of the program.
Country-folk
Deeper Well
Kacey Musgraves
Interscope / Universal