Lucy Dacus’ fourth studio album has arrived. Forever Is A Feeling marks the singer’s first solo release in four years, after a brief stint as a member of supergroup Boygenius. Despite the gap between releases, Forever Is A Feeling showcases the same warmth, magic, and introspection as its predecessors.
The album was announced back in January, with the release of singles ‘Ankles’ and ‘Limerence’. ‘Ankles’ stands out as an unusually sultry track from Dacus, where she asks her lover – gently, of course – to “pull [her] by the ankles to the edge of the bed”, with a smooth, rolling bassline backing her, helping to cultivate a sensual atmosphere. It’s a poetic exploration of intimacy, as she meshes physical with romantic desire, as she wants her partner to “help [her] with the crossword in the morning”, just as much as she wants the sensation of their teeth in her shoulder.
‘Limerence’ re-affirms her position in a romantic relationship, but with a gloomier edge, as she admits “the stillness / Might eat me alive”. The raw emotional honesty on this track is classic Dacus, as she unveils her most vulnerable self through soft, unwavering vocals. The juxtaposition of vulnerability and tension in her delivery creates an atmosphere of quiet desperation, drawing listeners into her internal struggle. The piano behind the track enhances this feeling, as it switches between tempos, winding down to signal when Dacus’ lyrics require your full attention.
The rest of the album reflects the tonal contrast established by the two lead singles, as upbeat moments (see: ‘Big Deal’) exist alongside the more melancholic (see: ‘Lost Time’). Her voice remains steady and evocative throughout, effortlessly guiding listeners through the album’s shifting emotional landscape. In ‘For Keeps’, we see this contrast exist in the lines and instrumentation of the same song. As the track begins with steady guitar strums, we anticipate accompanying sad words to follow suit. However, we are met with slow, yet hopeful lyrics, as Dacus gushes over her partner – “You are doing the Lord’s work / Every time you smile at me”.
The project is refreshingly sparse of features, allowing her brilliance as a solo artist to shine after spending the last few years exclusively sharing a stage with two fellow indie powerhouses, Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker. The album’s sole collaboration comes on ‘Bullseye’, where she recruits indie-folk legend Hozier. While known for his bold and explosive sound, he mellows on this track as if to meet Dacus where she’s at, creating total sonic harmony and adding depth to the piece rather than overshadowing her intentional lightness. Together, they reminisce on their old love – profound yet ultimately impossible (“It was young love, it was dumb luck”).
Forever Is A Feeling plays like an extension of Dacus’ previous catalogue, as she continues to explore her internal conflict through her work. It’s wonderfully vulnerable in a way that we don’t often see, as she subverts the typical optimism of a new relationship by laying bare her doubts and uncertainties. It rejects traditional, idealistic romanticism for resonating realism in a rare yet inspiring manner. Through her unflinching lyricism and delivery, Dacus once again proves herself as a master storyteller and an artist unafraid to embrace the complexities of love and self-doubt.
Words by Zahra Hanif
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