"Best Guess" and "Limerence" showcase Lucy Dacus delving into the themes of life and love through a more nuanced, intricate, and chaotic perspective compared to her earlier works, positioning her upcoming album, ‘Forever Is a Feeling,’ as an exciting shift in her artistic journey.
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Stream: “Best Guess” – Lucy Dacus
Lucy Dacus continues to generate excitement for her third studio album, Forever Is a Feeling, with the refreshingly genuine tracks “Best Guess” and “Limerence.”
While her previous album (2021’s Home Video) was infused with themes of youthful love, nostalgia, and growing up, “Limerence” and “Best Guess” exhibit a more mature lyrical depth, particularly due to Dacus’ exceptional storytelling. She possesses a unique ability to capture elements of the human experience that many recognize but often hesitate to confront. With the singles released so far, Forever Is A Feeling appears to be a diverse, transitional project for Dacus, building on the success and acclaim she received from her work with boygenius, with “Best Guess” and “Limerence” heightening the anticipation for her third album.
Forever Is a Feeling – Lucy Dacus
In "Best Guess,” Dacus reflects on a partner she once believed would lead her to a fulfilling romantic life. The production is straightforward yet captivating, featuring intricately layered guitars and crisp, natural drumming that allow the lyrics to stand out. The simplicity in the production mirrors Dacus’ acceptance of this person as her ‘best guess’ for the future she envisions.
You were my best friend before you were
My best guess at the future
You are my best guess
If I were a gambling man, and I am
You’d be my best bet
In the bridge of “Best Guess,” Dacus elaborates on the story of this relationship, giving listeners just enough insight into her interpersonal connections while maintaining a level of lyrical ambiguity that fosters relatability. Striking the balance between deeply personal tracks and those that feel overly general is challenging, but Dacus achieves the right blend, providing enough detail for fans to gain a deeper understanding of both her and themselves.
I watched you fall from grace
You were graceful
After all, it’s a small world
You may not be an angel
But you are my girl
You are my pack a day
You are my favorite place
You were my best friend before you were
My best guess at the future
You are my best guess
If I were a gambling man, and I am
You’d be my best bet
By deepening the backstory and illustrating how this crush developed from friendship alongside comparisons to addictive habits like “you are my pack a day,” Dacus continues to showcase her lyrical cleverness and skill—something that escalates on “Limerence.”
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In “Limerence,” Dacus transitions into introspection, exploring her seemingly inherent desire to escape stability, indulge in recklessness, and break free from the “stillness” associated with romantic love.
The track opens with gentle piano chords and soft strings, as Dacus reminisces about a high moment with friends and a conversation about limerence (defined as an “intense infatuation or romantic longing for someone”): “Natalie’s explaining limerence between taking hits from a blunt, high as a kite.” After establishing the setting with the opening lines, the production slows down, mirroring the feeling when our thoughts drift away from the present moment with friends. The honesty and lyricism convey the deeply personal thoughts that often remain unspoken.
I’m thinking about breaking your heart someday soon
And if I do, I’ll be breaking mine too
If I stay busy, maybe I’ll forget
how I feel and go on living life as I planned it
So bring on the parties, I wanna go dancing
My arm ’round the waist of a friendly acquaintance
Toeing the line of betraying your trust
Why do I feel alive when I’m behaving my worst?
A partnered Dacus appears to also exist alongside the parts of herself that crave flirtatious interactions and the thrill of unpredictability associated with single life. There’s a thrill she experiences when making choices that aren't in her best interest. The concluding lines of the track reveal Dacus’ self-awareness and also highlight the complexity of holding someone’s heart with hands that feel too unstable.
Is there a difference between lying to you
If it feels just as bad as telling the truth?
I know that there is, and I know
What I’ll pick
I want we have
Our beautiful life
But the stillness, the stillness
Might eat me alive
Dacus expresses a desire
“Best Guess” and “Limerence” showcase Lucy Dacus examining life and love with a more nuanced, intricate, and chaotic perspective than in her earlier works, positioning her forthcoming album, ‘Forever Is a Feeling,’ as an intriguing change in her artistic journey.
