Kacey Musgraves - Star Crossed (September 10, 2021) Album • Page 30

I think it's a good album that is mostly let down by its own mix. Specifically, If This Was a Movie has so much potential. Gonna go revisit the album now!

 

I also think the press pre-release did a lot of harm. I think expectations were high. People were hoping early Kacey’s style was writing a divorce album.

 

I thought the pre release marketing was hinting pretty consistently that it was going to be a more pop styled record, and it ended up not being as hooky as people were expecting?

 

yeah I remember this. I remember thinking “well it will still be good because it’s Kacey” and then it came out the way they described it and I was like “oh I was wrong, take me back”

 

Her saying that Weezer was an inspiration still remains a bit baffling.

 

I just don't think the songs that are on this album are good. That's basically it

 

They marketed it like it was going to be a big pop play, and they really played up the three-act tragedy thing, which is basically not noticeable unless you know what you’re looking for. Instead, it’s this pretty modest, vulnerable, downbeat breakup album with no clear singles.

 

Yeah, it just wasn’t very good. A bunch of the songs were forgettable and the other songs were decent enough but couldn’t carry the album alone.

It’s one of few albums from my favourite artists that I feel that way about. Hopefully next album will be back on track.

 

When it came out, I was going through a difficult breakup and was excited for a heartbreak album to “help.” And it just did nothing for me. Considering the rest of her catalogue is so stellar—I’m not worried about the next one being great.

 

So it IS inspired by Weezer!

(Kidding, I love Weezer.)

 

I find it interesting you use the word vulnerable here, curious why you think so. I actually feel the complete opposite, that the album has almost nothing personal to say and is all very surface level. I can't think of even one lyric on the whole album that sounds like she dug somewhere deep and made me think WOW, which is what her previous albums do time and time again.

 

For me, the six-song run from 8-13 is what really makes the album. I think those songs, presented in that order, do a really good job of capturing the seesaw of emotions you feel at the end of a relationship, especially one that was supposed to last forever. Lots of resentment ("Breadwinner"), lots of regret ("Camera Roll"), lots of grayscale sadness ("Easier Said"), lots of trying to put on a brave face and then falling down ("What Doesn't Kill Me"). I think those songs are really honest and true, probably to their detriment, honestly. People were expecting this big epic breakup album, or even a "clever Kacey" spin on a breakup album, and what comes through more is just the doldrums of getting through heartbreak and being super confused about how you're feeling and what you're supposed to do next. I already know you're not impressed with "Hookup Scene" like I am, but I can't think of another song that expresses that same sentiment (I'm lonely, dating sucks, is this really what I wanted to escape my relationship for?) as well as that song does.

I can't really point to a super stunning piece of lyricism, frankly. Songwriting wise, I definitely agree that these songs aren't up to her usual level of songwriting craft. But I also just think they're really plainspoken songs about how she was feeling at the time, hence my "vulnerable" comment. I feel like a showier, more clever Kacey approach to the same subject matter -- while probably more fun -- would not have earned that descriptor from me.

 

Alright, well you definitely laid out your case well and I completely understand where you're coming from and I appreciate it! I wasn't really ever able to find this myself, but now I get what you hear here.

 

I refuse to believe anyone has listened to "Camera Roll" specifically and come away from it not finding something incredibly personal there.

 

I can't speak for anyone else, but I didn't really have any specific expectations sound-wise for the album, other than hoping it would be packed with really good songs, like the album right before it and her other albums. Just really well-written, great songs. "Camera Roll" is a good example because someone else brought it up, and it's just kinda surface level. Yeah, it's sad to look back at happy pictures of you and someone you just broke up with. It sucks. I didn't and don't really get anything else from the song though. At all. Ultimately, the whole album is kinda like that.

I hate to even do this, but what jumps to my mind are some of the lyrics from the latest Amanda Shires album, Take It Like A Man, where she is (presumably) singing about her and Jason Isbell's marriage / relationship. Some of the lyrics in those songs literally dropped my jaw and made me say holy shit, just completely stopped me in my tracks.

I understand it doesn't make a lot of sense to compare two completely different artists and two completely different albums, but I think I was personally expecting something on that level songwriting wise given Kacey's prior albums and how great she has historically been in the songwriting department, combined with the press around that time with the Three Act Tragedy / divorce stuff. I just don't really think much of this album is on that level from a songwriting standpoint, at least not for me.

I went back and listened to my favorite track from Golden Hour - Space Cowboy - and sound-wise I don't think it's all that different from the songs on Star Crossed, so I can't even really put my finger on what about this album I didn't connect with. Still a huge fan of hers though, and I can't wait to hear whatever she does next.

 

And look, I know this is her worst album. I don't have any illusions about that. And maybe I'm just glad there wasn't this big, epic bloodletting because I'm also a big fan of her ex-husband! But I definitely appreciate how this album kind of captures the banality of heartbreak rather than just the fireworks.

 

I don't think I have ever listened to any Kelsea Ballerini, but my wife has been playing her new EP on repeat and honestly.... it's kinda exactly what I expected from Kacey in a divorce album. I recommend checking it out to anyone in this thread.

 

Yeah, been spinning this all afternoon, and it's really great. Pretty devastating, but great! I wish it was longer.

You should definitely check out Kelsea's stuff, though. Her album from last year, Subject to Change, is particularly excellent.

 

It somehow feels longer than 10 years ago. I'm not sure why! I think because we've had 3 albums since that were all quite different.

I'm not sure if I'm saying this because of the last album only, but I really miss country Kacey.

 

Pretty good

 

Got a Follow Your Arrow inspired tattoo. Will post once the initial healing is done.

 

Vinyl sale

https://shop.kaceymusgraves.com/col...ource=dotmailer&dm_i=5B4A,KQEG,3EX5S4,2C5I9,1