By Mahnoosh Arsalan
Staff Writer
Kacey Musgraves has kicked off the summer with a collection of country girl anecdotes in her new album “Middle of Nowhere.” Musgraves’s latest is the perfect soundtrack to driving with the windows down in a salt-aired summer. With 13 tracks seamlessly connecting together, Musgraves puts her cowboy boots back on and encourages her listeners to as well.
Something to appreciate about Musgraves is her ability to make country music without it being overtly country. Her soft instrumentals and silk voice blend country with indie and pop. The country genre is controversial, and Musgraves makes it accessible for her wide variety of listeners.
The first track “Middle of Nowhere” sets the stage. Soft guitar and even softer vocals, Musgraves begins her musical journey. A song about finding one’s inner peace and sense of self by jetting off into a remote habitat, the aesthetics for the album are set.
Track 2 titled “Dry Spell” is exactly what it sounds like. Musgraves explores the more vulnerable and intimate aspects of her lonesome life, and track three, “Back On The Wagon,” immediately following with a story on sharing her life with someone. The two songs go together, as “Dry Spell” emphasizes Musgraves’ yearn for connection and “Back On The Wagon” highlights her love for her new man despite judgmental external comments. These songs also fit the more stereotypical definition of country music, with many “y’all’s” involved.
“I Believe In Ghosts” follows, a soft country ballad on the resentment after a breakup. An abrupt end to a relationship leaves Musgraves with a feeling of emptiness, making her believe in ghosts. Her soft guitar and soft vocals create a hollow, somber atmosphere, making the listeners experience her emotions.
Track 5, “Abilene,” presents listeners with the story of a small town girl leaving everything behind. The entire song focuses on a character Musgraves creates, a girl leaving her country life, yearning for new possibilities. The last sentence of the track switches up the narrative of the song shifting the focus onto Musgraves, saying that she herself could never leave Abilene. She sets up the song’s image by sharing an anecdote about a girl she knows leaving her town, but Musgraves’ connection is too deep to leave. She understands she’ll never truly leave Abilene.
“Coyote” follows “Abilene,” another soft country ballad, this time depicting a more melancholic story. Musgraves’ finds herself thinking back on somebody she used to know, reminiscing on their love, comparing her relationship to a coyote. The narrative of the song begins with her thinking about her past love, then switches to him wanting to see her. The two yearn on opposite ends in this wistful tale. Then following “Coyote” is “Loneliest Girl,” which illustrates the beauty of being by oneself, taking the art of reminiscing and turning it into a motivational independent story.
Track 8 titled “Everybody Wants To Be A Cowboy” critiques the romanticized image of country life that was built on social media. While there are strong aesthetics of a southern lifestyle, Musgraves warns listeners on the harsh reality of that glorified angle.
Track 9, “Horses and Divorces,” includes a collaboration between Musgraves and Miranda Lambert, a country icon. The two share life stories and experiences, realizing they have more in common than they previously thought. The song illustrates the joyful feeling of meeting someone for the first time and clicking. “Uncertain, TX” follows with another iconic collaboration with Willie Nelson. In honor of Nelson, the song follows a rather old-fashioned formula. The collaboration between two country stars is heartwarming, cementing Musgraves as a future icon.
“Rhinestoned” blends the aforementioned old-fashioned tune with modern lyricism. Musgraves highlights the importance of gaining one’s spark back, going out with friends and feeling glamorous. In the most country way possible, Musgraves encourages audiences to shine.
“Mexico Honey” almost ends the album, showing listeners a more naive view of herself and her relationships. Her honey voice fits the song perfectly as she paints a picture of her and her lover having fun doing the little things with one another, allowing her to truly cherish the love she currently has.
“Hell On Me” wraps up the album. Musgraves realizes her self-worth through her inability to fit into an old lover's standards, not just of her but also themself. Musgraves repeatedly mentions how she wanted to save him and tried her best to help, but that ended with her wanting him to be someone else and him wanting the same for her. This complex song dives into the nuances of a broken relationship, blending in themes of religion and love.
“Middle of Nowhere” stands as Musgraves’ seventh studio album. With such a long and successful career behind her, she proves to the industry that she’s here to stay. This record touches upon so many different, vulnerable aspects of life. She is an incredible storyteller with a voice as smooth as butter.
