Lucy Dacus : Forever Is A Feeling

The first I’d ever heard of Lucy Dacus was via my oldest kid. They’d given me a copy of her album Historian for either Father’s Day or my birthday, I can’t remember for sure which one. Growing up sharing music with my older brother or my parents was kind of a big deal. It took a certain amount of trust and respect when being that vulnerable, because sharing something with someone you love that you think they will like is big. What if they don’t like it? You didn’t know them like you thought they did, and that’s a big old slice of reality that is hard to swallow.

So when my oldest kid gifts me an album that they really like in the hopes I’ll like it too, I took that very seriously. I liked Lucy Dacus and Historian a lot. So much so that I followed her along to her next record, the even more excellent Home Video. Dacus sounded like an artist with a lot on her mind and had the voice and talent to share those ideas and thoughts in a very deep and meaningful way. Then along came boygenius, the supergroup that included Dacus, Phoebe Bridgers, and Julien Baker.

Four years later and Lucy Dacus has now released her fourth solo album, the upbeat and sun-freckled Forever Is A Feeling. This is an album written by an artist in a good place, writing songs that show that mindset. From 80s-influenced rock to baroque pop this record shines.

Forever Is A Feeling isn’t a meditation on adolescence like Home Video, or a reflection of dealing with loss and the darkness life brings sometimes like Historian. Forever Is A Feeling is merely a collection of beautiful songs on love and life and maybe just enjoying things when they’re going your way for once. “Big Deal” almost sounds like a reinvention of Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees”, subtle acoustic guitar and subtle drum groove underneath. Touches of Wye Oak come through as well. “Limerence” might be the most beautiful thing Dacus has written. Subtle piano and strings waver in the air as Dacus sings of a sweet moment while contemplating a break up. It’s a stunning song that’s part Cole Porter, part Rufus Wainwright. “Modigliani” has an 80s drive to it. A summer driving tune for sure.

Title track “Forever Is A Feeling” is another big pop track. The kind of song you get lost in as the miles dissipate in the rearview. Hozier shows up in the great “Bullseye”, while album closer “Lost Time” is a love song about never taking the words “I love you” for granted.

It’s good feeling knowing that you raised your kids well enough that they can take a chance and recommend, even gift you a record they think you’ll like. Lucy Dacus’ Forever Is A Feeling I like very much, and may not have taken a chance on it if it hadn’t been for my oldest taking a chance on this old dad of theirs.