Kasey Musgraves’ new album “star-crossed” feels ethereal and dreamlike. PHOTO CREDIT: baylorlariat.com
Kasey Musgraves’ “star-crossed” takes us through her feelings post-divorce on an ethereal, almost-dreamlike journey of an album with fairly consistent hits.
The album’s opener, and title track, is an angelic setting of the scene for what’s to come later in the album. The listener can hear Musgraves mourning her relationship, discussing her recent divorce through lyrics like “two lovers ripped right at the seams / they woke up from the perfect dream.” However, the song is largely disappointing in comparison to other highlights on the album. 5/10.
“good wife” has got to be in my top three of the album. The chorus on this song can’t help but make you dance. A more relaxing track on the album with a definitive Sunday-morning-dancing-in-the-kitchen vibe. 8/10.
A more upbeat song, “cherry blossom” just does something to me. Definitely throw this on walking around and I assure you, the “main character” in you will shine through. There’s just something about Musgraves saying “Tokyo wasn’t built in a day” that resonates. 8/10.
“simple times” is another relaxed song, reminiscing on easier times while Musgraves struggles with the changes going on in her life. If you’re looking for an upbeat song to reminisce on your romanticized past, this is the track for you. 6/10.
I feel like I need to be driving on a coast in a convertible with a headscarf with “if this was a movie” playing. The song itself is a bit underwhelming for me, but I can definitely see it going over the end credits of a coming-of-age film. 4/10.
If you’re looking for a song to feel validated in your emotions, “justified” is it for you. The lyrics “if I cry just a little / and then laugh in the middle” just make everything a little bit more fun to feel in the healing process that is this album. The beat on this song makes it a banger for when you’re dancing it out as well. 8/10.
With “angel,” I feel like I should be watching a western ballerina performance to this song. The soft guitar and angelic performance from Musgraves helps you feel her pain at this point. Reminiscent on what could have been, this song breaks your heart a bit. 5/10.
Easily my favorite song on the album that you must listen to, “breadwinner” is something I want to turn up in the car and blast on repeat. This song is so hype for anyone who might understand the feeling of giving your all for someone who just won’t give that same effort. 10/10.
“camera roll” breaks your heart right after “breadwinner” lifts you up. If you’re going through your camera roll after a breakup and want to cry, throw this one on. 5/10.
If I were ever going to take a trip to the stars, I’d put “easier said” on in the spaceship. Nothing describes this song better than a post-divorce spaceship song. Enough said. 5/10.
“hookup scene” is another comparatively underwhelming track for me. It’s basically just Musgraves being mournful of her relationship. Here, she advises people to “hold on tight” to the person they love “‘cause you might not even know that you don’t have it so bad.” 3/10.
Another “main character” song to play while walking around campus, “keep lookin’ up” doesn’t disappoint. If you just failed a test, turn to this track, and I can say your mood will be lifted even if just a bit. 6/10.
The beat on “what doesn’t kill me” is very enjoyable, but the lyrics can’t compete with the other tracks. It’s well-produced, but it’s missing that special sauce. 4/10.
“there is a light” is a song I feel should be played in a huge dance number in a bazaar. It isn’t my favorite, but I feel like some interesting interpretative dancing could be done to this number. 4/10.
The album closes out with “gracias a la vida,” another top three for me. The song builds itself up from quiet simple chords to gigantic chords at the end. I wish I could see a partner dance to this song because I feel like something great could be made of it. 9/10.
So if you’re looking for a 48-minute musical story about heartbreak and moving on, listen to this well-produced album from Kasey Musgraves when you get a chance.