#270 Kacey Musgraves, 'Golden Hour' (2018)

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The fourth album by Kacey Musgraves was the first time I had heard of her. I assumed that it was her breakthrough record, but that’s not actually the case. In fact, her first and second album charted at 2 and 3 respectively, and have sold 800,000+ between them. I listened to this album originally on release and remember thinking that it was good but overhyped. Listening again now with a critical ear, I realise that I was so wrong. This album is pretty special. The album starts with the line “Born in a hurry, always late/Haven't been early since '88.” I love those lyrics. This album isn’t a straight up Country record. There’s no doubt that it is a Country record, but with elements of Pop, Singer-Songwriter, Indie, abit of electro and even Disco. While the album is consistently good, the last 3 tracks, ‘High Horse,’ ‘Golden Hour’ & ‘Rainbow,’ are the best for me.

The album went on to win all four of its nominated categories at the Grammys; Album Of The Year, Best Country Album, Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for ‘Space Cowboy.’ Musgraves had recently gotten married and this album was written in the “Honeymoon Period” aka “Golden Hour” of her personal life. Part of the album was recorded in a studio above a horse stable owned by Sheryl Crow. The album was ranked in multiple end of year lists, being named as the #1 album of 2018 by American Songwriter, Apple Music, Entertainment Weekly, People, Sputnikmusic, Stereogum, Taste Of Country, Uproxx & The Village Voice. #2 album of the year by Associated Press, Noisey, Pitchfork, Pop Matters & Rolling Stone. Keen to see what she does next.

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