Kacey Musgraves has unveiled plans for her latest album, titled *Middle of Nowhere*, which is set for release on 1 May. The Grammy-award-winning singer-songwriter shared the announcement on Wednesday, alongside a lively new single, “Dry Spell”, accompanied by an entertaining music video.
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This album follows her previous work, *Deeper Well*, released two years ago, and showcases collaborations with notable artists including Willie Nelson, Billy Strings, Gregory Alan Isakov, and Miranda Lambert. Musgraves and Lambert have engaged in light-hearted exchanges on social media in anticipation of their duet, “Horses and Divorces”.
At 37, Musgraves took the reins in producing *Middle of Nowhere*, working alongside her longstanding collaborators Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk. The album features a total of 13 tracks that reflect the musical influences and narratives that have shaped her upbringing in Texas. Notably, the album’s title was inspired by a sign in her hometown of Golden, Texas, which boasts a modest population of fewer than 300 residents, indicating its remote charm as “somewhere in the middle of nowhere.”
In a statement regarding the new release, Musgraves conveyed that much of the record was crafted during what she describes as a significant period of solitude in her life. “For the first time, it actually felt incredible being alone and existing in a space not defined by anyone else,” she noted, expressing her newfound fascination with the emotional and geographical concept of ‘liminal space’. She explained, “We often rush to define what comes next, but I became so at ease with being in the ‘middle of nowhere’, both literally and metaphorically.”
The artist elaborated on how this period provided her with the freedom to explore her creativity. She engaged in various pastimes, including horse riding and humour, while reconnecting with earlier collaborators, all of which contributed to her contemplative lifestyle shared between Texas, Tennessee, and Mexico.
Musgraves’ press release indicates that the new album was written during a phase marked by reflection and post-breakup clarity. Musicianship throughout the album incorporates a variety of sounds, such as pedal steels and accordion, while blending genres like bluegrass, pop, and Texas dancehall rhythms.
In an interview with NPR Music, Musgraves discussed embracing her independence after her recent breakup, clarifying that “Dry Spell” encapsulates her journey during this transformative time. She distinguishes her previous albums: “There’s a divorce album [Star-Crossed], *Golden Hour* is its own thing, *Deeper Well* is introspective and calm, and then we’re here with this new one.”
While Musgraves dons a cowboy hat on the album cover, she is cautious about labelling this project as a comeback to her roots in country music. “It might be tempting for some to say this marks my return, and while I can agree with certain aspects, I’ve never declared that I was leaving country,” she remarked. “Country music is an integral part of who I am, and I don’t see how I could possibly separate from it.”
*Middle of Nowhere* also marks her return to Lost Highway Records, the label that first signed her in 2011 before it was absorbed by Mercury Nashville. This reflects a significant reconnection with her musical beginnings.
As anticipation builds for the album’s release, Kacey Musgraves continues to engage and evolve with her audience through her unique artistry and personal narratives, promising her fans a multifaceted listening experience when *Middle of Nowhere* arrives in May.