Music review: Kacey Musgraves – 鈥楪olden Hour鈥�
The third studio release from Kacey Musgraves is a charming piece of country and pop, full of calming reflections on love and the everyday adventures of life.
As the opening track suggests right from the start, 鈥淕olden Hour鈥� is a glorious slow burn of an album that finds the Texas singer-songwriter taking her time as she soaks in the surroundings by announcing, 鈥淭aking my time, let the world turn.鈥�
The 29-year-old Musgraves demonstrates that she鈥檚 matured and is no longer the same-trailer-in-a-different-park girl singing, 鈥淥ld soul, waiting my turn/I know a few things, but I still got a lot to learn.鈥�
With 鈥淏utterflies,鈥� love is in the air as Musgraves details the wondrous transformation experienced when you find your perfect match as she declares, 鈥淐loud Nine was always out of reach/Now, I remember what it feels like to fly.鈥�
鈥淲onder Woman鈥� continues the love theme with the realization that all relationships have limitations and we鈥檙e simply regular humans living regular lives and not superheroes without flaws.
One of my favorite tracks is 鈥淰elvet Elvis.鈥� Yet another love song that finds Musgraves comparing her man to an Elvis portrait that is soft to the touch and makes all her friends jealous. Digging deeper into the catchy lyrics, one could argue that the arrangement is truly about finding security and comfort through the love of another who is always on your mind.
The tender 鈥淪pace Cowboy鈥� is not a Steve Miller reference, but rather a moving tune about letting go as a once dazzling love affair finally fizzles into a fading sunset.
Musgraves unleashes her inner disco diva as she sparkles and shines on the pulsating 鈥淗igh Horse.鈥� With the flair of Cher, Musgraves delivers a fashionable dance vibe that addresses the person who always ruins the party because they have to be the center of attention as Musgraves sings, 鈥淒arling, you take the high horse and I鈥檒l take the high road/If you鈥檙e too good for us, you鈥檒l be good riding solo.鈥�
鈥淩ainbow鈥� brings the set to a gracious close as Musgraves reflects on getting through life鈥檚 storms and basking in the vibrant colors of the rainbow that ultimately appear to let us know that it is time to let go of our umbrella and that everything is going to be okay.
鈥淕olden Hour鈥� is Musgrave鈥檚 finest hour yet.