After a series of teasers in recent weeks, singer Kacey Musgraves has finally announced her sixth studio album. Serving as the follow-up to 2024’s Deeper Well, Middle of Nowhere arrives on May 1st via Lost Highway.
The 13-track collection was produced by Musgraves and longtime collaborators Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk. The singer is further joined by a slew of other collaborators and friends, including Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert, Billy Strings, and Gregory Alan Isakov.
Per a press release, Musgraves took the album title (and corresponding creative inspiration) from a sign located outside her hometown of Golden, Texas: “Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere.” More specifically, Musgraves was interested in exploring the ideas of “open space and traditional western elements,” with the album ultimately serving as a “sonic love letter to the musical borders of country, echoing influence from adjacent genres such as bluegrass, pop, and even bits of Norteño and Zydeco.”
Related Video
It’s also an especially personal project for Musgraves as she grows further as both an artist and a person.
“The bulk of this record was made during the longest single period of my life,” Musgraves said. “I found that for the first time, it actually felt incredible being alone and existing in a space not defined by anyone else. I became fascinated with the concept of liminal space, both geographical and emotional. We don’t linger in these transitional, empty spaces long enough and rush to define where or whatever is next. I became so at ease with being in the ‘middle of nowhere’ in many senses and sitting in the un-comfort of the undefined. I had a lot of time for creative ambling and leaning into myself in different ways; horses, humor, writing with my early collaborators again, and living out my very simple, inspired life between Texas, Tennessee, and Mexico.”
Our first taste of Musgraves’ “creative ambling” comes with the record’s lead single, “Dry Spell.” Described as being “boldly hilarious and self-aware,” the track “blazes with sharp wit while delivering tight turns of phrase.” In short, it finds Musgraves exploring some familiar enough musical territory albeit with renewed joy, dedication, and curiosity. Watch the accompanying music video below (co-directed by Musgraves and Hannah Lux Davis).
Pre-order Middle of Nowhere here.
Middle of Nowhere Album Artwork:
Middle of Nowhere Tracklist:
01. Middle of Nowhere
02. Dry Spell
03. Back on the Wagon
04. I Believe in Ghosts
05. Abilene
06. Coyote (featuring Gregory Alan Isakov)
07. Loneliest Girl
08. Everybody Wants To Be a Cowboy (featuring Billy Strings)
09. Horses and Divorces )featuring Miranda Lambert)
10. Uncertain, Texas (featuring Willie Nelson)
11. Rhinestoned
12. Mexico Honey
13. Hell on Me
