Golden Hour
by Kacey Musgraves
  • Record Label: MCA
  • Release Date: Mar 30, 2018
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 519 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 464 out of 519
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 519
  3. Negative: 25 out of 519
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. RodrigoMOD
    May 6, 2018
    10
    Musgraves surprises in this beautiful album with a new bet on his work. Kacey made a great mix of country and pop that artists like Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake and Kylie Minougue tried to do but failed miserably.
    Kacey combined flawless lyrics with smooth, harmonious melodies. The 80's vibe of "High Horse" sounds like something genuine in the midst of poorly made repetitions of the    Musgraves surprises in this beautiful album with a new bet on his work. Kacey made a great mix of country and pop that artists like Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake and Kylie Minougue tried to do but failed miserably.
    Kacey combined flawless lyrics with smooth, harmonious melodies. The 80's vibe of "High Horse" sounds like something genuine in the midst of poorly made repetitions of the industry. The first singles "Space Cowboy" and "Butterflies" sound melancholy but with a passionate softness.    … Expand
  2. crafty7
    Jul 26, 2018
    10
    Golden Hour is the type of record that you listen to once and you are a bit confused on why it's so critically acclaimed. But then you listen to it again. And again. And again. And then you realize that through simple ideas and pleasant sounds, Kacey Musgraves constructs a near perfect world that you want to live in forever.

    Favorite Songs: Lonely Weekend, Space Cowboy, Happy & Sad,    Golden Hour is the type of record that you listen to once and you are a bit confused on why it's so critically acclaimed. But then you listen to it again. And again. And again. And then you realize that through simple ideas and pleasant sounds, Kacey Musgraves constructs a near perfect world that you want to live in forever.

    Favorite Songs: Lonely Weekend, Space Cowboy, Happy & Sad, Wonder Woman, High Horse    … Expand
  3. kjstap1964
    Mar 30, 2018
    9
    Nice mix of country pop and dance. Kacey throughout maintains her country roots through this masterpiece. Nice follow up to Pageant Material. A must add to your country collection.
  4. pursuingdreams
    Jan 26, 2019
    10
    A chill and beautiful country album integrated with modern production. The songwriting is also amazing. Kacey's voice is wonderful. Deserve Grammy.
    Slow Burn 9.5/10
    Lonely Weekend 10/10 Butterfiles 10/10 Oh, What a World 8.5/10(nice try using different production) Mother 7/10 Love Is a Wild Thing 8/10 Space Cowboy 10/10 Happy & Sad 9.5/10 Velvet Elvis 8.5/10 Wonder Woman 9/10    A chill and beautiful country album integrated with modern production. The songwriting is also amazing. Kacey's voice is wonderful. Deserve Grammy.
    Slow Burn 9.5/10
    Lonely Weekend 10/10
    Butterfiles 10/10
    Oh, What a World 8.5/10(nice try using different production)
    Mother 7/10
    Love Is a Wild Thing 8/10
    Space Cowboy 10/10
    Happy & Sad 9.5/10
    Velvet Elvis 8.5/10
    Wonder Woman 9/10
    High Horse 10/10
    Golden Hour 7.5/10
    Rainbow 10/10    … Expand
  5. Mark1998
    Feb 12, 2019
    8
    Worth the Album of the Year Grammy: Kacey shows that simple and clear concepts can be more effective that complex productions and over-the-top vocals.
  6. aaedenn
    Nov 6, 2021
    10
    While I'm very generous with my ratings on Metacritic, Golden Hour is one of my 5 true 10/10s (the only others being Lorde's 2017 "Melodrama", and Taylor Swift's 2012 "Red" (will likely be replaced with Red (Taylor's Version) on Friday), 2014 "1989", and 2020 "folklore"). Golden Hour is an album I listen to almost daily even 3.5 years since its release. The way she explores the firstWhile I'm very generous with my ratings on Metacritic, Golden Hour is one of my 5 true 10/10s (the only others being Lorde's 2017 "Melodrama", and Taylor Swift's 2012 "Red" (will likely be replaced with Red (Taylor's Version) on Friday), 2014 "1989", and 2020 "folklore"). Golden Hour is an album I listen to almost daily even 3.5 years since its release. The way she explores the first feelings of love, and living for the hope of it all is just simply amazing. Musically it makes it perfect to listen during sunrises and sunsets and just gives a reason to get out of bed. This album top to bottom is phenomenal but the clear highlights are "Butterflies," "Slow Burn," "Happy and Sad," "High Horse," "Space Cowboy," and "Golden Hour."… Expand
  7. reflections
    Sep 1, 2021
    10
    One of the most beautiful and heartwarming. albums I've heard in the quarter of a century I've spent on this planet. Kacey has won me over with this album for the rest of my life.
  8. sammyanthony
    Apr 14, 2018
    9
    Brave moves! Instead of bringing a hard, typical country sounds, Kacey incorporates some other genres in which made them more calming and hypnotizing. She sings so beautifully pure without any auto-tune, and the lyrics and the melodies are flowing in harmony. It is a modern country album, so a lot of people may consider the existence of modern beats in it; Yet it's nothing to be worriedBrave moves! Instead of bringing a hard, typical country sounds, Kacey incorporates some other genres in which made them more calming and hypnotizing. She sings so beautifully pure without any auto-tune, and the lyrics and the melodies are flowing in harmony. It is a modern country album, so a lot of people may consider the existence of modern beats in it; Yet it's nothing to be worried about, since the production team are doing their great work on the album. The first listen of entire tracks in the album will make feelings of homesick, love of nature, nostalgia, happiness, and sadness at the same time.… Expand
  9. Deivide
    Mar 31, 2018
    10
    Kacey Musgraves' album "Golden Hour" is simply extraordinary. An album that easily blends the Country, with Indie and Folk and of course, pop shines and leaves the album even younger, making people listen. Certainly a strong contender for the big Grammy categories.
  10. Wael
    Mar 30, 2018
    9
    We all remember the huge stir Kacey Musgraves caused in country music with her first major-label release, "Same Trailer Different Park" back in 2013, a record so timeless that won her her first Grammys and that we sill blast until this day. She was back in 2015 with her sophomore effort, "Pageant Material" which contained even sharper country melodies (Musgraves herself dubbed it "countryWe all remember the huge stir Kacey Musgraves caused in country music with her first major-label release, "Same Trailer Different Park" back in 2013, a record so timeless that won her her first Grammys and that we sill blast until this day. She was back in 2015 with her sophomore effort, "Pageant Material" which contained even sharper country melodies (Musgraves herself dubbed it "country as **** at one point) and corkier smart lyrics that established her as one of the finest lyricists on the scene, and, at the same time, one of country music's biggest rebels.

    With her third album (fourth, if you count her Christmas album), Kacey announced that she was switching things up a little, and making a record less about rebellion and small-towns, and more about her actual state: being in love, getting married, and focusing on all the beauty laying around.

    The lead-singles were there to assure us that, however changed, Kacey's never gonna make a song that's less than absolutely extra-ordinary: 'Butterflies' is a sweet (and catchy) love song about falling for the man she ended up marrying, while 'Space Cowboy', with all its instrumentation, smart wordplay, and lyrics like "boots weren't made for sitting by the door", is a real tear-jerker.

    So yeah: "Golden Hour" indeed sees Ms. Musgraves taking a different approach in making music: she uses a vocoder on the intro of 'Oh, What a World', which is a grand track about appreciating all the magic in the world, she places a nearly-one-minute-and-a-half track as a sort of ode to her mother five tracks deep into the project, and she goes for a country-infused disco sound on 'High Horse', which turns out to be an absolute success. Pretty unusual things for a Kacey Musgraves album, aren't they?

    However, there are some aspects that are still reminiscent of Musgraves' older works. Album opener 'Slow Burn' feels like it could easily fit into "Pageant Materiel"'s whole narrative, with lyrics such as "Texas is hot, I can be cold / Grandma cried when I pierced my nose", while 'Happy & Sad' sees Kacey reflecting on not enjoying the good times in fear of the lows that will surely follow, because, you know, that's life.

    As a whole body of work, "Golden Hour" is a cohesive, well-written and beautifully-crafted collection of songs that are all at the same time fun, reflective and relatable. Whether it's a little fun song about showing off the man she's in love with ('Velvet Elvis'), or depicting struggles, salvation, and learning to let go ('Rainbow'), Kacey sounds just as confident and as mature even without her deep country roots; and "Golden Hour" proves that it might be, in Kacey Musgraves' career, just what its title suggests it is.    … Expand
  11. cadmus2166
    Apr 2, 2018
    10
    "Golden Hour" is an extraordinary album on every level. It's a perfect blend of country, pop, and folk. The lyrics are more personal than on her past albums, and they add a lot of depth to the already wonderful melodies. It's easily the best album of the year so far, and one of the best albums of this entire decade. I'll be shocked if this doesn't win Album of the Year at the Grammys.
  12. taylorgc
    Apr 5, 2018
    10
    I already knew Kacey Musgraves was an extraordinary artist. That was no secret. Her songwriting is sharp, incisive, and emotional. Her voice is spot on, always. But the best thing about Kacey Musgraves is not her voice or her songwriting, it is her attitude. She takes chances and she doesn't care if it fits within her perceived "comfort zone" or if it is what people expect from her. SheI already knew Kacey Musgraves was an extraordinary artist. That was no secret. Her songwriting is sharp, incisive, and emotional. Her voice is spot on, always. But the best thing about Kacey Musgraves is not her voice or her songwriting, it is her attitude. She takes chances and she doesn't care if it fits within her perceived "comfort zone" or if it is what people expect from her. She does it because it satisfies her artistic urges. That my friends, the willingness to break out of one's comfort zone and bend genres to their will is what separates great artists from good ones. Bob Dylan, Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Neil Young, Prince, and countless other truly great artists didn't stick to genre conventions, they transcended genres. Kacey Musgraves is transcending genre. She is doing the unexpected and executing it in perfect fashion.

    When I heard the first two singles on this album ("Space Cowboy" and "Butterflies"), I wasn't sold. I longed for the old "Kacey" sound. I wasn't sure I was gong to order the album. However, I told myself to trust her artistry. She has earned my confidence with the brilliance of her first two studio albums (Christmas album excluded for these purposes, despite it being great). So, I didn't listen to any other singles and I waited for the record to arrive at my house. The first thing I noticed was the beauty of the packaging compared to the other record of hers I have on vinyl (Same Trailer...). Then I saw the clear vinyl, perfectly cut. Finally, I popped it on the turntable and let the music do the talking.
    Three songs in and I was sold, 13 tracks in and I started it over and listened to it from the beginning for a second time, then a third time. Something about the album as a whole is intoxicating. The songs flow effortlessly but each one is distinct from the one before. The album feels like a concept album in the way that it comes together seamlessly and there are no missteps.
    The tracks that I originally didn't fall in love with, I am now jamming to because they make sense within the context of the album. I couldn't fully appreciate those songs until I heard the entirety of Golden Hour.

    There are no mistakes on this album. Everything works and everything is perfection. Kacey Musgraves has knocked it out of the park with this effort and has perhaps made THE album of 2018. Only time will tell, but at this point, she has my vote.    … Expand
  13. gordonderek
    Mar 30, 2018
    9
    As always, Kacey Musgraves loves to break boundaries. In "Golden Hour", she embraces new elements (pop/rock/disco) so much for the first time, but sings so naturally that you'd thought she's been singing these kind of songs for years. At the same time, her songwriting is still her strongest weapon : raw, clever, and literate.

    "Lonely Weekend", a song about having fun while one's alone,    As always, Kacey Musgraves loves to break boundaries. In "Golden Hour", she embraces new elements (pop/rock/disco) so much for the first time, but sings so naturally that you'd thought she's been singing these kind of songs for years. At the same time, her songwriting is still her strongest weapon : raw, clever, and literate.

    "Lonely Weekend", a song about having fun while one's alone, pop sounds of the old-Taylor Swift appear here and there. However, with the honesty and the casualness of the lyrics, Kacey knows how to make herself shine, definitely a different way, comparing to T-Swift. In an interview, Kacey also said that she "mixed future and traditional sound" in this album, and that appears in "Oh, What a World", which starts with a Daft Punk-sound, and it would sure make your eyes widened at first listen. The highlight of the album, "High Horse", has a disco sound perfectly mixed with guitars and banjos, which is already critic's favorite.

    We all know that Kacey just got married, which influenced a lot in the concept of her new music. The album opener, " Slow Burn", sets the stage that this album is going to be chill and comfortable to listen. In both "Oh, What a World" and "Love Is a Wild Thing", the beauties of the world are described as magic. Not to mention the pure love songs : "Butterflies" and "Velvet Elvis". We've never seen her being so in love before, this IS her golden hour, the kind of music her fans have been waiting for for so long. Still, some of the best lyrics appeared in "Space Cowboy", a song about letting go of someone who wants to leave.

    As a whole, Kacey takes us through the ups and downs of life, as usual, with clever lyrics that brings freshness every time you listen to it. While this time, she adds new music elements that shows her ambitions. We can't wait for her next step.    … Expand
  14. joshuaoehler
    Apr 13, 2018
    7
    Good, but not great. I was able to listen to it all the way through, and it's warranted further listens, but there are much better albums to listen to in my limited amount of time to do so.
  15. Llan
    Apr 4, 2018
    10
    Sou novato no som dela, mas achei bem interessante e gostei bastante do álbum. Coeso, maduro, emocional e com certeza um dos melhores álbuns que eu escutei até agora. O álbum brinca com o disco em alguns momentos e é definitivamente a coisa que eu mais gostei (além da voz dela). 10 merecido.
  16. nolanfenty
    Mar 30, 2018
    10
    From her first album i knew she was different and unique artist and now she once again proves why she is the best country artist out there. Golden Hour is bold, real and an ambitious album.
  17. feck99
    Apr 6, 2018
    10
    What a stunning, beautiful record - on another level from her previous work. The songs are gorgeous, and the production is bathed in a gauzy, hazy echo that sounds amazing. The real tear jerker is "Rainbow" - guaranteed to give you a lump in the throat at least. Her voice is amazing, and the musicianship even more so. This will very likely get many Grammy nominations.
  18. samwich21
    Apr 9, 2018
    10
    Kacey creates bearable country music with an actual purpose and a worthwhile message. I don't consider myself a fan of country music, but Musgraves' country-pop lyrics and melodies are irresistible. My favorite track is "High Horse."
  19. michellejyxu
    Apr 8, 2018
    8
    i was pleasantly surprised by this one. golden hour appeals to listeners of all genres - country, pop, rnb etc... there is such a variety in production and lyricism it's hard not to be adjusted to liking. kacey musgraves is definitely one of my favourite up-and-coming artists now.
  20. tederheid
    Apr 4, 2018
    10
    This album is so incredibly good, I never really listened to her before except one other song. But this definitely made me a fan! So many great, personal songs and such a cohesive sound overall. My favorites on here are "Butterflies", "Oh, What A World" and "High Horse". She definitely made me appreciate country music more than I did before and I would recommend this album to anyone, evenThis album is so incredibly good, I never really listened to her before except one other song. But this definitely made me a fan! So many great, personal songs and such a cohesive sound overall. My favorites on here are "Butterflies", "Oh, What A World" and "High Horse". She definitely made me appreciate country music more than I did before and I would recommend this album to anyone, even if country isn't your cup of tea per se. I could wax poetic about this album all day but bottom line: Kacey Musgraves is a queen.… Expand
  21. SKSK
    Jul 22, 2018
    4
    Super generic melody alongside with some immature and trivial lyrics, that's all this album has to offer.
  22. pittsy66
    May 8, 2018
    10
    I enjoyed Pageant Material but this is another level of storytelling. Despite fluctuating between country, acoustic and disco(!), this is one of the most cohesive albums I've ever heard. By the end of the first listen I was prepared to call it my album of 2018 so far, narrowly edging out Janelle Monae.

    I've never even written a Metacritic review – that's how much I love it. Faves    I enjoyed Pageant Material but this is another level of storytelling. Despite fluctuating between country, acoustic and disco(!), this is one of the most cohesive albums I've ever heard. By the end of the first listen I was prepared to call it my album of 2018 so far, narrowly edging out Janelle Monae.

    I've never even written a Metacritic review – that's how much I love it.

    Faves are: Slow Burn, Butterflies, Oh What a World and High Horse.    … Expand
  23. nswain1110
    Apr 4, 2018
    10
    Sonically diverse while staying true to her origins, lyrically mature, vocally blissful and a damn fine listen from beginning to end. Kacey Musgraves is quite the songwriting force, and knows how to pair with producers that will make those beautiful songs shine as bright as they can. Brava young lady :-)
  24. manningn15
    Apr 4, 2018
    10
    One of my all time favorite albums and by far my favorite album she has put out. Just as before Kacey Musgraves uses her spectacular voice and songwriting skills to put together a beautiful piece of art. Her songs Slow Burn, High Horse, Butterflies, and Space Cowboy are by far my favorites on the album.
  25. LaineMitchell
    Apr 2, 2018
    10
    There is something for everyone on this album, from disco-infused 'High Horse' to country infused 'Space Cowboy.' Kacey hits it right in the Golden Hour.
  26. matieu
    Apr 2, 2018
    10
    "Golden Hour" is extremely good. I have never listened to her last previous works, but this one seems pretty obvious that she is amazing on what she does. Kacey is effortlessly giving us the hype of alternative country and some kind of folk music with quality. As of the instrumentals, the strings and all the well placed arrangements, she deserves the full rate.
  27. Doof
    Jun 5, 2018
    4
    A little worse than average, thanks to some alarming song writing quality dips and my lack of stamina for these sort of borderline cloying 'shiny pop country' vocals. I can see the appeal to some degree...but I'm also shocked that such a 'by the numbers' release has garnered quite this much acclaim.
  28. ujjwalsagwan
    Jul 24, 2020
    1
    Worst Album ever why they give Album of the year to this **** album i dont like it
  29. OmarVita
    Apr 4, 2018
    10
    The songwriting is very different from her previous albums, but still feels like her
  30. Segundoleo26
    Nov 23, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. "Whilst tracks like "Butterflies" and "High Horse" offer the best of what Musgraves can do in terms of balancing her obvious charm against a certain steely underbelly that has served her so well so far in her career, all too often, Golden Hour delivers a lackluster vibe and a feeling that Musgraves has become too infatuated with the pop side of her artistry and is beginning to forget about the things that made her so interesting and worth investing in in the first place." ...… Expand
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best Album of 2018
19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2018
23
#23 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. The Line of Best Fit
    Oct 8, 2021
    85
    Golden Hour imagines a world much sweeter than the one we’re living in; and for 45 minutes, it can just about take you there. Kacey Musgraves’ golden hour is far from over.
    Read full review
  2. Record Collector
    May 23, 2018
    80
    Golden Hour is a bedazzled, wide-eyed rush.
    Read full review
  3. Under The Radar
    May 9, 2018
    60
    Whilst tracks like "Butterflies" and "High Horse" offer the best of what Musgraves can do in terms of balancing her obvious charm against a certain steely underbelly that has served her so well so far in her career, all too often, Golden Hour delivers a lackluster vibe and a feeling that Musgraves has become too infatuated with the pop side of her artistry and is beginning to forget about the things that made her so interesting and worth investing in in the first place.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »