Kacey Musgraves’ “star-crossed” Overview
In the track “what doesn’t kill me,” Kacey Musgraves admits, “Golden hour faded black,” which prettily captures the “star-crossed” experience. The 33-year-old singer, fresh out of a divorce, documents her pain and recovery in her sophomore album “star-crossed.” Her relationship with her now-ex-husband, the muse behind her Grammy-awarded “Golden Hour,” now ends in heartbreak on “star-crossed.” Coincidently the first track, “star-crossed,” paints the first stroke of misfortune: “Did we fly too high just to get burned by the sun?” Lyrically, Kacey is living in a helpless world; however, sonically, she wraps herself in every guitar string, trying to find solace. Talking to Genius, she states, “I want the chance to transform my trauma into something else, and I want to give myself that opportunity, even if it’s painful.” Clearly, she is a human, just like us all.
Tracks That Defined “star-crossed”
justified
In “justified,” Kacey Musgraves takes on hard work and determination to love herself. Spanish strings accompany her in a rhythmic chorus to help break down her realization: “If I need just a little more time to deal with the fact that you shoulda treated me right, then I’m more than just a little justified.” It’s a breakthrough moment for the singer, admitting that she needs time to be okay– but that’s justified.
camera roll & gracias a la vida
“Camera roll” is the perfect song to follow, a somber reminder to not scroll through it: “Chronological order ain’t nothing but torture.” The switch between grandiose upbeat melodies to delicate strings shows recovery isn’t a straight path- especially for Kacey Musgraves. One minute we are invincible, then next, we are hurting. The album closer is a cover of “gracias a la vida,” originally by Violetta Para. A song that recognizes the beautiful and terrible things of life, the perfect closing to a heartbreaking but defying album.
While there are many songs to dance to, there are others to cry into your pillow. Kacey Musgraves isn’t all that lost in the dreamy folk-pop of “star-crossed,” she just needs time to heal.
Do you enjoy this album just as much as we do? Let us know in the comments!
