"Slow Burn" by Kacey Musgraves // Song Review
Kacey Musgraves' "Slow Burn" spreads such a hopeful message of renewal and reassurance. It is such a beautiful and comforting song in so many ways. It invites the listener to allow themselves to let go and trust that whatever is meant to be will be, everything you desire will come in due time.
"Born in a hurry, always late, haven't been early since '88", she sings in the opening lines of the song. So much of Golden Hour is rooted in such a personal, autobiographical approach to songwriting, but "Slow Burn" is perhaps the most significant example of it on the album. "I was born 6 weeks early. Under 5 lbs. I came on the day of my baby shower (I always loved a party)," she wrote alongside the song's release on Instagram. "It was the last time I was ever early for anything."
"Slow Burn" is a stunning display of Kacey's talent for modern, yet simplistic, country storytelling, which is something she has always excelled in. It served as the opening track of her 2018 album Golden Hour, setting the tone for the warmth and introspection that was to follow throughout the rest of the project. It radiates a sense of calm and intentionality within the song, embracing the ability to slow down and take everything day by day, trusting your own pace in life.
"I'm alright with a slow burn, taking my time, let the world turn, I'm gonna do it my way, it'll be alright," she sings in the chorus. "If we burn it down and it takes all night, it's a slow burn".
In an interview with New York Times, Kacey opened up about the artistic process she took to write this song. She said, "I came up with the chorus on a spiritual journey, so to speak. I think anything that puts me, or any human, outside of their egotistical state of living is a really healthy thing now and then, in moderation obviously. It was LSD, yeah. I was just sitting on my front porch thinking and I was just like, 'Man, I love a slow burn,'" she said.
It's a phrase and a mantra that can be interpreted in so many ways, which she also points out. "That can apply to so many areas of my life, that can apply to like relationships, good drink, you sip on a glass of wine for a long time, you savor it you don't rush to the finish line. It did open my mind a little bit. It made me take a step back and really think about where I am and what I want and the crazy time we live in."
In hindsight, this was also such a perfect choice to be the opening track of Golden Hour, especially knowing it would go on to become her most successful release to date, ultimately earning Kacey her well‑deserved Album of the Year win at the 2019 Grammys. She set forth with so much intention for this new era of her career that truly laid the groundwork for everything that came after.
"Old soul, waitin' my turn, I know a few things but I still got a lot to learn, so I'm alright with a slow burn," Kacey quietly sings in the final lines of the song. At the heart of it, "Slow Burn" is the recognition and reassurance that you are exactly where you need to be right now, and the importance of allowing yourself the grace to take your time and let everything unfold as it will.
Thanks for reading! I have written about Kacey Musgraves' music many times, all of which are linked below, along with more from my song of the week series!
-Melissa ♡
Photo Credit: Kacey Musgraves, UMG Recordings
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