Kacey Musgraves’ seventh album, ‘Middle of Nowhere’, was released in 2026. This album marks a return to her rural roots and blends traditional country with other genres.
Musgraves previously gained acclaim for her standout album, ‘Golden Hour’, released in 2018. In this new project, she incorporates elements of country music within various musical forms.
The album features collaborations with notable artists. It includes a duet with Miranda Lambert on the track ‘Horses & Divorces’ and another with Willie Nelson titled ‘Uncertain, TX’.
Musgraves explores different sounds throughout the album. The song ‘Loneliest Girl’ showcases a more pop-leaning production while retaining core country elements. Meanwhile, ‘Dry Spell’ has been described as a “femcel anthem”.
Critics describe the overall sound of ‘Middle of Nowhere’ as subtly arranged, with influences from western swing and traditional Mexican music. Musgraves sings in a lower register for most tracks, giving the album a dejected tone.
Notable tracks include:
- ‘Coyote’, featuring Gregory Alan Isakov
- ‘Rhinestoned’, highlighted as a corrective for misery
- ‘Horses & Divorces’, a duet with Miranda Lambert
- ‘Uncertain, TX’, featuring Willie Nelson
Kacey Musgraves reflects on her feelings in the lyrics. She expresses loneliness with the line, “I’m so lonely with a capital H.” In another track, she says, “When you’re feeling as foolish as a rodeo clown, it’s time to smoke a little weed and go dancing.”
The album’s release signifies an important step in Musgraves’ career. It shows her willingness to explore new sounds while staying true to her country roots.
