Kacey Musgraves is back with her sixth studio album. Middle of Nowhere is the singer’s first new project since her 2024 record Deeper Well. Since her debut in 2013, Musgraves has been a force in country music. In 2018, the singer blew up with her Grammy award winning album Golden Hour. This record truly cemented Musgraves as an essential voice in the music industry.
Over time, the singer has branched out from her signature country sound exploring more pop and folk heavy sound spaces. Each project showcases her ability to beautifully mold herself into each sound she experiments with. Both her records following Golden Hour earned her Grammy nominations and wins. On her sixth studio album, Musgraves returns her classic country sound with a fresh take.
In the Middle of Nowhere
The record opens with the title track, “Middle of Nowhere,” setting the tone for the whole album. Right off the bat, Musgraves establishes the theme of solitude. She sings about being content being in the middle of nowhere. This isn’t necessarily a break up or divorce album like her 2021 album star-crossed. This project almost feels like the aftermath of a break. Musgraves ambraces loneliness deeming herself the “Loneliest Girl” in the world. She embraces her solitude, but she also shares her frustration with it on “Dry Spell,” the lead single.
Middle of Nowhere showcases what is arguably Musgrave’s best songwriting to date. She continues to remain utterly relatable especially on tracks like “I Believe In Ghosts” and “Loneliest Girl.” Her lyricism is sharp and witty. Throughout the record, Kacey expresses her content with solitude, her experiences with dating and ending her “dry spell.” The record ends with “Hell On Me,” a heartbreaking track about the painful realization of not being able to change the person you love.
Musgraves crafted a beautiful, stripped back soundscape with soft guitars and classical country instrumentation. She honors the signature Texas sound she grew up listening to and combines it with her love for pop music. Musgraves also pays an homage to the Mexican culture that is inseparable from Texan roots. Her collaboration “Horses and Divorces” with Miranda Lambert and “Uncertain, TX” with Willie Nelson truly showcase Musgraves’ love for traditional Mexican music.
Middle of Nowhere brings Kacey Musgraves home to the sounds she grew up listening to. She draws inspiration from her Texas roots as well as the cultures and sounds that so heavily influenced her in the beginning of her career. This might be her best record to date.
On The Road
Last week, Musgraves announced her “Middle of Nowhere Tour.” The tour starts in Chicago at the end of August and concludes in Seattle in October. The singer celebrated the release of the record and gave a sneak peak of the tour with her surprise set at Coachella and intimate, three night shows at Gruene Hall. Tickets go on sale this Friday. This will be a show you won’t want to miss.
