Review

On her fourth studio album, "Forever Is A Feeling," Lucy Dacus continues her evolution from indie-rock darling to one of America's most thoughtful and nuanced songwriters. The Richmond, Virginia native has always excelled at transforming personal experiences into universally resonant narratives, but her latest offering reaches new heights of emotional sophistication and musical maturity. Opening with the shimmering "Calendar Days," Dacus immediately establishes the album's contemplative tone, her warm vocals gliding over delicate guitar work before the song blossoms into a gorgeous arrangement that showcases her band's increasingly refined sensibilities. It's a fitting introduction to a collection that feels simultaneously more intimate and more expansive than her previous work. Throughout, Dacus demonstrates her remarkable gift for observation, capturing the minutiae of relationships and memories with the precision of a literary short story writer. On "Silver Lining," she examines the bittersweet nature of nostalgia against a backdrop of gently propulsive drums and reverb-drenched guitars, creating a sonic landscape that perfectly mirrors the song's emotional complexity. The album's centrepiece, "Permanent Address," represents perhaps Dacus's most accomplished songwriting to date. Beginning as a sparse meditation on belonging, it gradually builds to a cathartic crescendo that will likely become a defining moment in her live performances. Her voice – always an instrument of remarkable clarity and control – has never sounded more assured or emotionally resonant. Producer Jacob Blumberg (who previously worked with Phoebe Bridgers and Adrianne Lenker) proves an ideal collaborator, creating space for Dacus's voice and lyrics while subtly expanding her sonic palette. There's a newfound confidence in the production choices, from the unexpected brass section on "Quarter Life" to the atmospheric electronics that underpin "Twenty-Seven." Lyrically, Dacus continues to mine the rich terrain of memory, identity, and connection, though there's a sense of increased perspective here – less immediate heartbreak, more considered reflection. Her ability to find profound meaning in seemingly ordinary moments remains unparalleled among her contemporaries. What's perhaps most impressive about "Forever Is A Feeling" is how it manages to feel both cohesive and varied. Each track creates its own distinct world while contributing to the album's overarching emotional journey. It's the work of an artist who has fully found her voice and is increasingly comfortable with its range and possibilities. By the time the closing track "Last Year's Light" draws to its hushed conclusion, it's clear that Dacus has created something special – an album that rewards repeated listening and reveals new depths with each spin. In a musical landscape often defined by algorithmic playlists and disposable singles, "Forever Is A Feeling" makes a compelling case for the album as an enduring art form. Lucy Dacus has always been an artist of remarkable promise. With "Forever Is A Feeling," that promise has been fulfilled in spectacular fashion.