Kacey Musgraves Announces Seventh Album 'Middle of Nowhere' and Single 'Dry Spell'

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Exciting news comes from the world of country music, as eight-time Grammy Award-winning singer Kacey Musgraves has officially announced the release of her seventh studio album, Middle of Nowhere.

The highly anticipated album is scheduled for release on May 1, 2026, via the Lost Highway label.

This announcement also includes the release of the provocative lead single, "Dry Spell," on March 11, 2026, complete with a unique music video.

This album marks Musgraves' return to music after her sixth studio album, Deeper Well, released on March 15, 2024.

Middle of Nowhere is expected to be a deeply personal work, born from a period of deep reflection following a breakup.

Musgraves explores the concept of liminal spaces, both geographically and emotionally, a common thread throughout the album.

With 13 collaboratively rich tracks, the album promises an innovative blend of genres, reflecting Musgraves' country roots with a modern twist.

Middle of Nowhere was produced by Kacey Musgraves herself, along with longtime collaborators Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk, who previously collaborated on her 2018 album, Golden Hour.

The album's title was inspired by a street sign in Musgraves' hometown of Golden, Texas, that reads "Golden, TX: Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere."

Thematically, Musgraves wrote the album during a period of post-breakup reflection and clarity, where she found comfort in the "middle of nowhere" and relished the discomfort of the undefined.

The album explores ideas of open spaces and traditional Western elements, with recurring lyrical themes of singlehood, navigating life, and valuing her independence.

Musically, Middle of Nowhere has been described as a sonic love letter to the boundaries of country music, with influences from adjacent genres like bluegrass, pop, and even hints of Norteño and Zydeco.

The album features signature instruments like pedal steel, accordion, and Texas dancehall rhythms, creating a nostalgic framework infused with Musgraves' signature style.

The album also features a number of interesting collaborations with renowned musicians, enriching its musical spectrum.

• Willie Nelson on "Uncertain, Texas"
• Miranda Lambert on "Horses and Divorces"
• Billy Strings on "Everybody Wants to Be a Cowboy"
• Gregory Alan Isakov on "Coyote"

The full track listing for the album Middle of Nowhere is as follows:

1. Middle of Nowhere
2. Dry Spell
3. Back on the Wagon
4. I Believe in Ghosts
5. Abilene
6. Coyote (feat. Gregory Alan Isakov)
7. Loneliest Girl
8. Everybody Wants To Be a Cowboy (feat. Billy Strings)
9. Horses and Divorces (feat. Miranda Lambert)
10. Uncertain, Texas (feat. Willie Nelson)
11. Rhinestoned
12. Mexico Honey
13. Hell on Me

"Dry Spell" features witty and straightforward lyrics, with clever and daring wordplay.

The song openly explores themes of loneliness and "dryness" in a romantic context, with Musgraves singing lines like "I'm so lonely, lonely with a capital 'H' / If you know what I mean / I've been sitting on the washing machine.

"The music video for "Dry Spell" was co-directed by Kacey Musgraves and Hannah Lux Davis.

The video is set in a grocery store and features cheeky and flirty scenes, depicting Musgraves confronting reminders of the things she lacks in her life, such as eggplant and glazed donuts.