A Glass of Vinho Verde with a Cherry Ring Pop Chaser: A Review of Kacey Musgraves' "Golden

In honor of her appearance on last night's SNL, here's my review of the new Kacey Musgraves' album, Golden Hour. The whole thing is a lot less John Prine, a little more Cher-inspired, and I've got to say that I am here for it. It's still witty, though not quite as kitschy and tongue-in-cheek as some of her work, and there's a bit of sad-little-celebrity in there, but I don't mind-- we've all got to feel our feelings, after all.

The title track is as warm and lovely as apero hour, that beautiful time of day for which it's named and of which the Italian filmmakers take such advantage. "Butterflies" is sweet and pretty and girly and just very on-brand, and "Space Cowboy" really is as spacious and Southwest-psychodelic as its name implies. I'm also a fan of the sexy, stoner ballad "Slow Burn" and the optimistically melancholy "Happy & Sad." "Velvet Elvis" and "Wonder Woman" are both truthful and topical, full of pop-culture and/or redneck references. "Elvis" has my favorite line from the album, in which Musgraves declares her desire to "go out with you in powder blue and tease my hair up high." Same, girl. Same.

It's a sweet summer listen and I know I'll have my ears on it a good bit during the warm months to come. My drink pairing for Golden Hour? A glass of vinho verde (light, fresh, only a teeny bit bubbly) with a cherry ring pop chaser (bright, glamorous, delicious, perfect lip color and summer accessory).