Star-Crossed
Kacey Musgraves · 2021
47 min · 15 tracks · country music
A cinematic exploration of heartbreak, blending lush pop melodies with country storytelling and introspective lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
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star‐crossed — The opening track sets the tone for the entire album with its sweeping orchestration and candid reflection on heartbreak, encapsulating the core themes of the record.
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breadwinner — This track confronts societal expectations around gender roles and financial independence, showcasing Musgraves' sharp lyrical wit and willingness to tackle complex issues.
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camera roll — With its nostalgic longing and vivid imagery, this song illustrates the bittersweet moments captured in memory, highlighting Musgraves' storytelling prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends pop and country elements with strong narratives, though it doesn't fully redefine its genre.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a cinematic orchestral arrangement that sets a dramatic tone, followed by a shift to more traditional country instrumentation in subsequent songs.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and lush production, creating a rich soundscape that contrasts with the introspective lyrics.
- The album includes interludes that serve as transitions between songs, enhancing the narrative flow and emotional impact of the overall experience.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- poignant melodies for introspection
- heartfelt exploration of heartbreak
- thoughtful listening during quiet times
- consistent flow for easy engagement
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on September 10, 2021, Star-Crossed is Kacey Musgraves' fifth studio album and her first after winning Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards for Golden Hour. This album signifies a shift towards more personal narratives following her very public divorce, showcasing a distinct evolution in her musical style and thematic focus.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Brandi Carlile· Maggie Rogers· Lana Del Rey
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 star‐crossed 3:19
- 2 good wife 3:51
- 3 cherry blossom 3:04
- 4 simple times 2:47
- 5 if this was a movie.. 3:14
- 6 justified 3:00
- 7 angel 2:19
- 8 breadwinner 3:20
- 9 camera roll 2:39
- 10 easier said 3:07
- 11 hookup scene 3:21
- 12 keep lookin’ up 2:46
- 13 what doesn’t kill me 2:17
- 14 there is a light 3:51
- 15 gracias a la vida 4:32
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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