I was contacted by Universal Music Group and offered a sneak peak at Kacey's new album. I can't wait the share what I thought of the new songs. I encourage you to pick it up in store or online.
Kacey Musgrave's "Pageant Material" Review
1. High Time
This song is a bit slower and has a theme of "just relax and let everything go". Due to the use of lyrics such as "rolling", "grass", and the title "High Time", it definitely lends itself to being interpreted as smoking pot. I personally don't smoke so it isn't one of my favorites on the album.Favorite lyric: "Nobody needs a thousand-dollar suit just to take out the trash."
2. Dime Store Cowgirl
I really enjoyed this song and it reminded me of my days in 4H and spending my summer in the most rural parts of town. This song is about how fame and fortune are great, but you will still always call your hometown home. It has a fun chorus and is just a feel good song. It is definitely one of my favorites on the album.Favorite lyric: "But it don't matter where I'm goin' I'll still call my hometown home."
3. Late To The Party
This song isn't one of my favorites. It is a fun love song about how no one else really matters when you are with a special person. I wish it were just a bit more upbeat to match the party lyrics.Favorite lyric: "And who needs a crowd when you're happy at a party for two?"
4. Pageant Material
Living in the Midwest near a lot of rural towns, pageants are pretty common around here. It's an even more popular in the South. This song is fun and upbeat. It talks about how she isn't pageant material since she has flaws and can't fake it like the other girls. Due to it's fun nature and witty lyrics, it is one of my favorites on the album.Favorite lyric: "And who's to say I'm a 9.5 or a 4.0 if you don't even know me."
5. This Town
This Town is about typical small town life and how everyone knows everyone. She sings about how the town is too small to be mean because everyone is connected. It's a bit slower of a song but still has some fun lyrics.Favorite lyric: "This town's too small to be mean."
6. Biscuits
This song is definitely my favorite on the album. It is very upbeat and something you could dance to. Biscuits is about not worrying about what other people are doing and just doing what you want to do. It just talks about being nice to everyone!Favorite lyric: "Pourin' salt in my sugar won't make yours any sweeter."
7. Somebody To Love
As you may have realized by now, I'm not a big fan on slower songs. This is another slower song that has great lyrics, but I wish it were a bit more upbeat. It talks about how no one is perfect and everyone just wants somebody to love.Favorite lyric: "We're all flawed and we're all perfect."
8. Miserable
This song is about someone who is always negative and beating themselves down. They say they want to be happy but then continue just to live a pessimistic life. However, you can't be happy when you are always making yourself miserable. I love the meaning behind this song because I am definitely an optimist. I believe that if you put good vibes out, good vibes will come back.Favorite lyric: "you can't set sail if your anchor's down."
9. Die Fun
YOLO. That's pretty much the theme of Die Fun. It's a bit slower but picks up a bit near the end. You can't do life over and you're only growing old, so might as well live life.Favorite lyric: "So let's love hard, live fast, die fun."
10. Family Is Family
This song is upbeat and peppy. Almost everyone can relate to how families aren't perfect but in the end, they are family. These lyrics are humorous and easy to relate to.Favorite lyric: "You get what you get, and you don't get to pick 'em."
11. Good Ol' Boys Club
I admit. I actually had to Google the meaning of this song. It is about how Kacey didn't want to be a part of the big music industry with big egos and politics of "well so and so knew so and so". I really like this song since it is dedicated to being a self-made artist in a big industry world.Favorite lyric: "There's a million ways to dream and that's just fine."
12. Cup Of Tea
This song reminds me a bit of the song "Biscuits". The theme of the song is that you just can't please everyone. In the end, you should just do what you want to do since you will never be able to make everyone else happy.Favorite lyric: "Nobody's everybody's favorite."
13. Fine
Fine is about a significant other being gone for a long time. It could be interpreted as a military relationship. In the song, Kacey sings about how these different reminders make her sad but in the end she's "fine".Overview
I don't listen to country music every day. However, in the summer and through horseback riding I have listened to a lot of this genre over the years. I admire Kacey for her alternative country themes and creative lyrics. Most country songs are about traditional country themes like driving around in trucks, drinking beer, and typical love stories. Pageant Material has a great mix of songs that give you a glimpse into a story and playful songs about just being yourself.Don't take my word for it. Be sure to check out the new Kacey Musgraves album on Spotify, iTunes, or your local music store.
