Kacey Musgraves
Golden Hour (MCA Nashville)
Singer-songwriter Archer Joy told us about her love for a Kacey Musgraves gem.
Archer Joy: When asked to choose my all-time favorite album, my mind immediately went to Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves. Released in 2018, it floored me the first time I listened through. I wouldn’t consider myself a huge country fan, though I’ve always admired the genre’s storytelling and its powerhouse women. This was my first deep dive into Musgraves’ catalog. I already knew songs like “Follow Your Arrow” and “Merry Go ‘Round,” the sharp, witty track that inspired the title of her debut album, Same Trailer, Different Park. Those earlier songs sit firmly in the country space, featuring banjo, pedal steel, biting social commentary, and Musgraves’ knack for earworm melodies. Golden Hour felt like something entirely different.
From the unexpected chord changes and lush strings in opening track “Slow Burn,” it’s clear Musgrave isn’t interested in sticking to country conventions. The chorus says it best: “I’m gonna do it my way, it’ll be alright / If we burn it down and it takes all night, it’s a slow burn.” That spirit defines the album. While sticking to her melodic and lyrical roots, every choice—songwriting, production, arrangement—challenges expectations of what a country record can be. The shimmering drum machine and Rhodes on “Happy & Sad” perfectly capture bittersweet nostalgia, while the disco groove of “High Horse” is infectious.
It’s an album you can cry to (piano ballads “Mother” and “Rainbow” get me every time), but you can also queue it up and have a one-woman dance party in the car. Despite the wide range of influences, the production feels seamless, polishing the songs into almost-pop perfection without overshadowing Musgraves’ voice or perspective. To me, Golden Hour is the ideal blend of authenticity and experimentation—a record that pushes boundaries without losing its soul. It’s one I’ll keep returning to for years.
