Lucy Dacus, member of supergroup “boygenius,” is the first out of the trio to release a solo album since the gang went on a hiatus. Dacus released “Forever is a Feeling” on Friday and she certainly did not disappoint.
Dacus jumps between indie rock and indie folk genres in her music, but I would classify this album more as an acoustic indie-pop sound. It is definitely one of, if not the most, emotional and sentimental albums she has released.
In a recent interview with The New Yorker, Dacus confirmed her relationship with bandmate Julien Baker, which fans have been speculating for a while. After listening to this album, I think it makes sense to label this a beautiful ode to the pair’s relationship, its initial struggles and the inevitable finding of balance and peace within another person.
Before the album’s release, Dacus put out four singles. “Best Guess,” “Ankles,” “Limerence” and “Talk.” These songs encapsulate the story-telling of the album well, with “Ankles” and “Best Guess” being romantic and fun.
With some lyrics reading, “My best guess at the future / You are my best guess” and “Then help me with the crossword in the mornings / You are gonna make me tea / Gonna ask me how did I sleep.”
On the flip side, “Talk” proposes a more reflective outlook on a previous relationship with a person, as she asks herself, “Why can’t we talk anymore? / We used to talk for hours / Do I make you nervous or bored? / Or did I drink you to the last drop?”
With the rest of the album being released, I was pleasantly surprised at the vulnerability Dacus shared with listeners.
“Modigliani,” “Come Out” and “Big Deal” are not my favorites off of the album, but these songs are all similar in their praise of an individual and the love Dacus obviously has for this person. She sings things like “I like watching you win over a new crowd / You can make ’em go wild, you can leave ’em spellbound” from “Modigliani” and “Screaming my favorite things about you / Screaming your name, your name, your name” from “Come Out.” These songs all have a melodic simple romantic feel to them while Dacus strums her guitar.
There are two songs off the album that personally really struck something within me and made this album one of my tops for this year. The first is “Bullseye,” a song featuring Hozier that comes later in the album.
This song is so beautiful. I am a firm believer that anything Hozier touches will turn into a religious experience of sounds and one that brings a tear to my eye. Dacus and Hozier’s vocals in this song mesh so well and the lyrics are sweet and simple, making for a song that brings back my faith in the world and reassurance that love exists everywhere.
The chorus sings, “You’re a bullseye, and I aimed right / I’m a straight shot, you’re a grand prize / It was young love, it was dumb luck / Holdin’ each other so tight, we got stuck.”
I have probably listened to “Bullseye” nearly 100 times since the album came out. It is such a feel good song, reminding me of all the love I have in my own life and warmer days ahead.
The second song from this album that I really loved is the last song on the record, titled, “Lost Time.” I could talk for hours about this song and how it perfectly sums up this album and is the perfect closing track.
This song is soft and slow paced and beautifully written about another person. It speaks of making up for lost time, maybe from the time the pair didn’t share their feelings for each other or from a life spent apart up until now. Either way, if you’ve ever been in a relationship, you’d know that Dacus encapsulates this feeling well.
She sings, “But I love you, and every day / That I knew and didn’t say / Is lost time,” and continues the chorus with, “Now I’m knocking down your door / ‘Cause I’m trying to make up for / Lost time.”
This song is just so warm and fuzzy. You can tell in her writing that she cares so deeply for this person and it is just so deeply relatable and special.
This album overall is beautifully done. I had no expectations really, only that I knew I loved Dacus’ previous work, and she surely has done it again. This time, breaking even further out of her shell and getting deep with listeners.
5/5 stars
oparisi@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @lucydacus, X
