Forever Is A Feeling – Lucy Dacus

Lucy Dacus’ fourth solo album, Forever Is A Feeling, marks a tender evolution for the Virginia-born singer-songwriter. Known for her incisive storytelling and raw emotional heft—honed through indie rock gems like Historian and her work with Boygenius – Dacus here trades some of that visceral edge for a softer, more introspective chamber-pop palette. It’s a love-soaked record, reportedly inspired by her relationship with Boygenius bandmate Julien Baker, and while it brims with lyrical intimacy, it occasionally lacks the musical dynamism to match.

The album opens with “Calliope Prelude,” a string-drenched instrumental that sets a baroque tone, signaling a departure from the spiky indie rock of past efforts. Tracks like “Ankles” pulse with a playful urgency, its cello and drums underscoring Dacus’ flirtatious plea: “Pull me by the ankles to the edge of the bed.” Yet, the standout “Best Guess” captures the album’s heart – a wedding song of sorts, with lines like “You are my best guess at the future,” delivered over limpid guitars that feel sweetly optimistic, if slightly restrained. Collaborations shine too: Hozier’s soulful turn on “Bullseye” adds depth, while Phoebe Bridgers and Baker’s backing vocals on the title track weave a haunting, harmonic tapestry.

“Nothing lasts forever, but let’s see how far we get.”

Dacus’ lyricism remains her superpower. She paints vivid scenes—legs “double-knotted” at the Ritz, or the quiet ache of “Lost Time” – with a poet’s eye for detail and a lover’s vulnerability. The theme of impermanence threads throughout: “Nothing lasts forever, but let’s see how far we get,” she muses, embracing love’s fragility as its strength. Yet, the midtempo sprawl and ornate arrangements – lush with violins, harps, and synths – sometimes feel too polite, dampening the raw passion her words evoke. Critics have noted this tension, praising her honesty but lamenting a cautious sonic approach that doesn’t always rise to the stakes she sets.

Forever Is A Feeling is Lucy Dacus at her most grown-up, a diaristic meditation on love’s highs and uncertainties. It’s beautiful, if not always gripping – a slow burn that rewards close listening but leaves you yearning for a spark to ignite its quiet flame.

Label: March 28, 2025
Release date: Geffen