Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Sept 13, 2021 7:52:28 GMT -5
A very strong performance.
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Carlitoz
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Post by Carlitoz on Sept 13, 2021 9:42:12 GMT -5
A very strong performance. I agree. I liked it!
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Post by The Brazilian Guy 🇧🇷 on Sept 13, 2021 12:18:54 GMT -5
Kacey sounded amazing at the VMAs and the whole aesthetics inspired by Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet really made the performance very striking visually!
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kimberly
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Post by kimberly on Sept 13, 2021 19:28:13 GMT -5
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Post by The Brazilian Guy 🇧🇷 on Sept 13, 2021 20:53:00 GMT -5
She looks very pretty and I like like the equestrian look with the boots and all, but not for the MET gala... I definitely prefer when she goes campier with her haute couture (like yesterday at the VMAs) She was interviewed with Olivia Rodrigo
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kimberly
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Post by kimberly on Sept 13, 2021 22:43:42 GMT -5
She looks very pretty and I like like the equestrian look with the boots and all, but not for the MET gala... I definitely prefer when she goes campier with her haute couture (like yesterday at the VMAs) I would agree, but have you seen the other looks? this year's MET Gala fits look more like TJ Maxx meets Zara. so Kacey's, while not very good, did not stand out as a bad one either. kind of giving that space cowboy look. but yeah both of her outfits from yesterday would have worked better.
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Post by The Brazilian Guy 🇧🇷 on Sept 13, 2021 23:04:20 GMT -5
She looks very pretty and I like like the equestrian look with the boots and all, but not for the MET gala... I definitely prefer when she goes campier with her haute couture (like yesterday at the VMAs) I would agree, but have you seen the other looks? this year's MET Gala fits look more like TJ Maxx meets Zara. so Kacey's, while not very good, did not stand out as a bad one either. kind of giving that space cowboy look. but yeah both of her outfits from yesterday would have worked better. The Moschino Barbie was such a moment for her though… it’s a hard one to top haha She still looked super cute here.
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ampersand
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Post by ampersand on Sept 14, 2021 7:42:14 GMT -5
I'm obsessed with her VMA performance! Hopefully, this introduces her to a new audience. Rise, Kacey, rise!
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YourFaveIsAFlop
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Post by YourFaveIsAFlop on Sept 14, 2021 10:15:49 GMT -5
The album just doesn't do a whole lot for me. Maybe once the weather starts getting cooler and I'm in a different headspace. But it just feels kind of flat and blah to me right now. It's not bad, it just doesn't click with me.
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14887fan
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Post by 14887fan on Sept 14, 2021 10:56:38 GMT -5
Waited to write out my thoughts on this album until I got to really take some time to digest it + its visuals. As a whole, I love it. Is it as good as Golden Hour? Of course not, but nothing was ever going to be, and that was an expectation I personally needed to keep throwing away whenever I got excited about this record's release.
That's not to say, though, that it isn't an incredibly cohesive and well-constructed album. As others have already mentioned in here, I think star-crossed is the most logical "response" album (so to speak) to GH. What I appreciate the most from it is how uniquely it addresses divorce and its array of emotions. (Haven't been divorced so I can't attest to any of it, but.) She could've gone into this from a pissed-off perspective, or from an angle of complete dismay, or utter devastation (basically, she could've produced an Adele record with even more heightened emotion), but instead she succinctly addressed her inner feelings, instead of airing out the dirty laundry. I really respect that.
Also, funny that so many are up-in-arms over her sonic departure from the sound of her first two records, and even GH. I definitely get that, esp. if the twang from 'Trailer' or 'Pageant' was what made you a fan in the first place, but I'd actually argue that many of these songs carry about as great a vibe of vintage Kacey (all the way back from 'Trailer') than we've gotten from her on any other project since. Barring a few production choices, I think tracks like "angel," "camera roll," "easier said," and "what doesn't kill me" could've fit perfectly in place with her first record. Similarly, "cherry blossom" has strong Golden Hour vibes. I think her songwriting here is less poignant than what we've gotten from her on previous projects, but what this record "lacks" (using this term loosely) in poignancy, it makes up for in its directness, which I think can still be equally profound.
The only song I'm not into is "simpler times." The lyrics in those verses are not hitting for me, but the chorus and the melody are still ace. As a whole, an incredibly strong project, and an admirable follow-up to a record even Kacey herself probably knew couldn't be matched tit-for-tat.
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taylor
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Post by taylor on Sept 14, 2021 10:59:04 GMT -5
Her Met Gala outfit wasn't terrible, but wasn't exceptional either. She kinda gave off the "Space Cowboy" realness though, so I liked it. And she still looked stunning anyways.
Absolutely LOVED seeing her with Olivia Rodrigo. That's a crossover I didn't know I needed until I got it. A collab down the line when both of their current album eras are over would be amazing. They could really make a magical song, I think.
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dbhmr
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Post by dbhmr on Sept 14, 2021 11:00:30 GMT -5
I think her songwriting here is less poignant than what we've gotten from her on previous projects, but what this record "lacks" (using this term loosely) in poignancy, it makes up for in its directness, which I think can still be equally profound. This is a great articulation of what I was attempting to say--totally agree. I've fully succumbed to that song now given the chorus and immaculate production. Still cringe @ the first verse (idk but the "we were always together" is like the sonic equivalent of a stumble for me), but yeah, it's just too catchy to ignore.
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Post by The Brazilian Guy 🇧🇷 on Sept 14, 2021 11:37:03 GMT -5
Her Met Gala outfit wasn't terrible, but wasn't exceptional either. She kinda gave off the "Space Cowboy" realness though, so I liked it. And she still looked stunning anyways. Absolutely LOVED seeing her with Olivia Rodrigo. That's a crossover I didn't know I needed until I got it. A collab down the line when both of their current album eras are over would be amazing. They could really make a magical song, I think. She looked at the after party Also the interviewer fangirling HARD... so cute!
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taylor
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Post by taylor on Sept 14, 2021 11:49:41 GMT -5
OMG THAT’S EMMA CHAMBERLAIN!!! yet another crossover i didn’t know i needed 😭😭😭 (sorry for my fangirl outburst lol; emma’s a big youtuber if you didn’t know)
that after-party gown is STUNNING. wow.
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Post by The Brazilian Guy 🇧🇷 on Sept 14, 2021 12:18:22 GMT -5
VOGUE
Kacey Musgraves Welcomed All the Celebs to Her Met Gala After-Party at The Top of the Standard Guests included Lorde, Alicia Keys, Billie Eilish, Ben Platt, Barbie Ferreira, Finneas O’Connell, Timothée Chalamet, Brooklyn Beckham, Camila Cabello, Cara Delevingne, Ciara, Emily Blunt, Olivia Rodrigo, and Maluma
www.vogue.com/slideshow/met-gala-top-of-the-standard-after-party-2021
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14887fan
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Post by 14887fan on Sept 14, 2021 12:20:21 GMT -5
I’ve fully succumbed to that song now given the chorus and immaculate production. Still cringe @ the first verse (idk but the "we were always together" is like the sonic equivalent of a stumble for me), but yeah, it's just too catchy to ignore. Oh my god, that “Me and all of my best friends, we were always together” line… Couple that with “There’s nothing really going on, but I heard about a rager.” 💀 I just sing along to the chorus and disregard the rest.
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Au$tin
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Post by Au$tin on Sept 14, 2021 12:34:08 GMT -5
VOGUE
Kacey Musgraves Welcomed All the Celebs to Her Met Gala After-Party at The Top of the Standard Guests included Lorde, Alicia Keys, Billie Eilish, Ben Platt, Barbie Ferreira, Finneas O’Connell, Timothée Chalamet, Brooklyn Beckham, Camila Cabello, Cara Delevingne, Ciara, Emily Blunt, Olivia Rodrigo, and Maluma
www.vogue.com/slideshow/met-gala-top-of-the-standard-after-party-2021
Now this sounds like a party! Phew that guest list! I- wait. What was that? Now how did she slip past the bouncers?
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Crimsonio
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Post by Crimsonio on Sept 14, 2021 12:37:48 GMT -5
I can't stop playing the album, it's so amazing. It's not as good as Pageant Material (my favorite Kacey album), but I haven't been able to put it down. Standouts include Star-Crossed, Breadwinner, If There Is A Light and Cherry Blossom
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Post by The Brazilian Guy 🇧🇷 on Sept 14, 2021 12:47:13 GMT -5
I’ve fully succumbed to that song now given the chorus and immaculate production. Still cringe @ the first verse (idk but the "we were always together" is like the sonic equivalent of a stumble for me), but yeah, it's just too catchy to ignore. Oh my god, that “Me and all of my best friends, we were always together” line… Couple that with “There’s nothing really going on, but I heard about a rager.” 💀 I just sing along to the chorus and disregard the rest.
I don't really care about the rager line, but “Me and all of my best friends, we were always together” is the worst on the album LOL
I love the chorus though!
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Sept 14, 2021 13:51:52 GMT -5
The wonderful thing about music is how subjective to personal taste it is. Golden Hour continues to leave me cold outside a few dazzling standouts (still wild to me that it pulled off an AOTY win) but Star-Crossed continues to grow on me and impress me. I like how she and the GH team expanded on that sound but gave me enough to want to actually revisit the songs on a regular basis. It's rare that such a...plain-spoken singer can captivate me the way Kacey does on the title track.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2021 14:51:48 GMT -5
I'm disappointed in the MET Gala look. She didn't even try. Just like the album cover.... & her latest lyricism ......
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Post by The Brazilian Guy 🇧🇷 on Sept 14, 2021 16:45:50 GMT -5
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Sept 14, 2021 20:47:10 GMT -5
Hookup Scene cuts too deeply for me. But, it's what I want to tell all my friends who are struggling in their marriages as I sit here by myself. Thank God for Keep Lookin' Up after it, LOL. But, KLU is such a cool vibe. I love the way she sings this one. Also...you're gonna FEEL MEEEE is a mood. I love the production on this and how she rides the beat.
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zaclord 🌈
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Post by zaclord 🌈 on Sept 14, 2021 21:05:48 GMT -5
So, I just imagined how epic "star-crossed" is going to be as an opener for her tour and got full-body chills. Cannot fucking wait to hear that in Nashville in February!
As for this album, on first listen I was definitely disappointed. But like it was mentioned here, I had to strip away preconceived notions about the album and focus on it without comparing it to past work and after a few dozen listens, I've really become obsessed with almost everything on it.
Star-Crossed is lyrically one of the strongest songs here and is the perfect intro here. I do wish this were longer lyrically (a chorus would've been nice) but holy fuck is it epic. Like I said, this as an intro (or finale really) to her set on tour will be incredible.
Good Wife is one of my least favorites here but I still like it. It's perfect to, as Kacey says, set the scene on the beginning of the relationship. Lyrically it sheds some light on her relationship with Ruston in some subtle ways that, knowing the end of the story, say a lot without airing dirty laundry.
Cherry Blossom is nice and feels like it could be on GH. Not toward the top of my favorites, but it's cute and I like the production. The inclusion of whatever that Japanese instrument is on that one part of the chorus works well after she sings the Tokyo line. It was a nice homage to her rabid Japanese fanbase!
Simple Times is such a fucking bop. Yes the verses and bridge lyrics are cringe inducing in parts (which hurts even more coming from Kacey) but that chorus has the most infectious melody and this is what's been stuck in my head the most often the past few days. Video is also A+++. Love love love this one.
If This Was a Movie is one that I wish I liked more than I do. Lyrically and production wise this one is haunting. There's just something that hasn't clicked with me yet on this one.
Justified is another bop and such a fun song to sing and dance along to. This was the right call for a radio single to lead the album for CHR/HAC/AAA. Another one that gets stuck in your head.
Angel is another one that I'm trying to like more than I do. It's weird that two of the saddest songs on here are ones that aren't connecting as well with me because I'm ALL about the sad songs. I do like the chorus here (slight "Rainbow" vibes).
Breadwinner is yet another bop. The melody here is too good. Lyrics are biting but without seeming too cruel - they're empowering too. Easy standout.
Camera Roll is finally the ballad I wanted from this album. Classic Kacey sound with a slightly more pop production. Relatable and poignant and simple, but effective.
Easier Said is absolutely my favorite song on this album. Something about the lyrics, the production, the melody just are so dreamy. This one rivals Simple Times for getting caught in my head the most. This is everything I want and need from her and could listen to this on repeat forever.
Hookup Scene is easily the most heartbreaking moment on the album for me. This is relatable and so fucking honest and raw that I just love her so much for this. Another one of my top picks from the album.
Keep Lookin' Up kinda sounds like a lite Avicii "Wake Me Up"-esque production vibe. This is a little cheesy but has a little bit of country flair that I kinda miss throughout this album. Middle of the road for me, but I still like it a lot.
What Doesn't Kill Me is SO GOOD. The "what doesn't kill me better run" line is just mind-blowingly great for me. It's fierce and powerful and takes a unique spin on a cliched phrase. Another top pick here.
There is a Light is another cliched saying that I wish Kacey had done something more fun with lyrically. Musically, this is so fun though. That flute solo is killer and I desperately want Lizzo to jump in and perform that with her somewhere. It's a good ending to the album though - just wanted something a little more inspiring lyrically to close the album.
I really really am enjoying this album and that grows with every listen. Is it what I wanted it to be? No. But it's still fantastic. Can't wait to see what else is in store for us this era. The film was amazing and the VMAs performance was incredible.
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Ling-Ling
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Post by Ling-Ling on Sept 15, 2021 13:44:42 GMT -5
Alright, I've spun the hell out of it, I think it's settled in for me. I do enjoy it, the production is great throughout and she sounds fantastic per the usual. Hate to compare it to Golden Hour, because that album is an absolute masterpiece that she's probably never going to top. But given that she worked with the same team and this is a slight sonic departure, it's hard not to. It's strange that GH was an album that came from happiness, but ended up being the far more devastating record. It was all about finding the divine in the intimate and the small details. She manages that magic a few times here, but so many of these songs coast on by for me. I just don't think the songwriting is as strong (and at least four of these songs should have been cut IMO).
Either way, it's another solid album with some great highlights. And it definitely has me perched for what she does next.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Sept 15, 2021 14:06:22 GMT -5
Y'all GH stans stay doing the most, LOL. Maybe I need to do more shrooms and stare into the sun or something.
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nightshade
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Post by nightshade on Sept 15, 2021 14:32:36 GMT -5
Golden Hour is that bitch. I'm fairly certain I tweeted about that record at least once a month and remember saying it'd be nominated & probably take home AOTY during the first month the album was out. It had a stronghold on my entire being for 2018 & 2019.
Honestly, I know this album is going to take over my life once the colder season comes around. For now it's a strong 9 out of 10. I'm still not a fan of Angel.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2021 19:45:51 GMT -5
You know what take back everything I said before..... THIS ALBUM IS GREAT.
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dbhmr
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Post by dbhmr on Sept 15, 2021 21:59:47 GMT -5
Y'all GH stans stay doing the most, LOL. Maybe I need to do more shrooms and stare into the sun or something. Do whatever it takes to get your head on straight with that album--it's perfection.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Sept 16, 2021 1:20:02 GMT -5
*belts in Star-Crossed*
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