Whimsical, bare, and baroque in its aesthetic, Lucy Dacus’ fourth studio album ‘Forever Is a Feeling’ offers an intimate lyrical exploration of destruction, creation, and the in-between spaces.
Stream: ‘Forever Is a Feeling’ – Lucy Dacus
In ‘Forever Is a Feeling,’ Lucy Dacus shares her deepest desires, thoughts, and emotions with her audience. This fourth solo studio album from the Boygenius singer/songwriter puts lyrics front and center. With a smooth voice that evokes both fear and desire, Dacus illuminates the complex emotions that accompany infatuation. It all kicks off with the opening track, “Calliope Prelude,” an instrumental introduction infused with baroque and classical influences featuring a colorful arrangement of strings. Next comes “Big Deal,” which immediately envelops listeners in a lyrical fantasy. The imagery and word choice in this song are stunning, each word captivating and enhancing the rich narrative of a lover’s (apparently accidental) revelation. This track introduces the themes of uncertainty and fear that will persist throughout the album, particularly addressing how this relationship might change or disrupt the status quo.
But we both know it could never work
You’ve got your girl, you’re set to marry her
And I’ll watch in a pinstriped suit
Not even desiring it was us
So what changes, if at all?
Maybe everything can remain as is
But if we never speak of it again
There’s something I want you to realize
You’re a big deal
This track emphasizes a hopeful stubbornness. Dacus focuses on assuring the person she addresses that their confession is significant, and regardless of what unfolds, they are “a big deal” to her; her feelings won’t be marred by resentment if things take a turn for the worse.
“Ankles” embodies pure infatuation and unrestrained longing. Dacus conjures simple images of a life with the person she cherishes, singing, “I want you to show me what you mean / Then help me with the crossword in the mornings / You are gonna make me tea / Gonna ask me how I slept.” It’s all tender and idealistic, yet it revisits the themes of doom and destruction mentioned earlier. As Dacus continues, “Agent of chaos, angel of death / One of three ancient fates / Playing with your scissors again,” and goes on to state, “How lucky are we to have so much to lose?” Ultimately, the sentiment of the song captures a desperately romantic essence, despite the lurking fear of chaos.
With “Limerence,” Dacus unlocks a flood of thoughts as she shares her poignant confession. It’s achingly intimate when she strips away the glitz and sings, “I’m thinking about breaking your heart someday soon / And if I do, I’ll be breaking mine too.” This feeling is all too relatable, making it even more heart-wrenching. Accompanied by cascading keys that fall like rain on a weathered street, the song poignantly captures the essence of limerence. In the end, it serves as a personal revelation of the confounding, euphoric despair that comes with awareness laced with regret.
I know that there is
And I know what I’ll choose
I want what we have
A beautiful life
But the stillness
The stillness might consume me
As the album unfolds, Dacus’ lyricism remains the highlight. “Mogdiliani,” in particular, weaves beautifully constructed allusions and references into a narrative of yearning and healing. The track opens with biblical references in the lines, “‘Loving father, friend and son’ / Printed backwards on my shoulder blade / From leaning back on a plaque on a bench / I carry David’s name until it fades.” Toward the closing, it connects to the art world, referencing the Italian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani, renowned for his portraits of elongated faces.
Modigliani’s melancholy
has me long in the face
But I feel better when you call
Just to tell me how you are
How did you do that?
How’s tomorrow so far?
You make me yearn for places
I’ve never been before
How did you do that?
How’s tomorrow so far?
Musically, this track stands out for its experimental sound. The syncopated, rhythmically shifting melodies introduce an exciting layer to the mostly consistent musical landscape thus far.
“Talk” marks a significant turning point on the album. It signals a shift in the relationship, bringing realization to the forefront. Specifically, the song reflects a moment of doubt about the connection, where all that seems desired is a physical relationship. Dacus begins with, “Your body looming like a spectre / Hungry as a scythe / If you come reaping, I’ll come running / I still know what you like
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Whimsical, minimalistic, and ornate in its visual style, Lucy Dacus' fourth studio album 'Forever Is a Feeling' offers an intimate lyrical exploration of destruction, creation, and the gaps that exist between them.