Released under Geffen, Forever Is A Feeling marks a pivotal moment in Lucy’s career, transitioning from self-produced records to working with renowned producers and engineers at a major label. The album’s polished production is immediately evident, with lush, vibrant soundscapes that evoke powerful imagery. Lucy’s straightforward vocal approach offers a striking contrast to the sparkling instrumentation and layered vocal effects. After several listens, it became clear to best appreciate Forever Is A Feeling; context is everything.
We all adjust our behavior depending on the people around us or the setting we’re in. I don’t act the same at a funeral as I do at a football game. Similarly, I noticed that Forever Is A Feeling shifts dramatically depending on the environment in which it’s played. In contrast, other albums evoke the same emotions, whether I’m blasting them while cleaning or cruising down the highway. What stood out to me about this album is how it invites a full listen, rather than just picking a few standout tracks. The experience as a whole is far more rewarding than any individual hit. It’s an album rich in subtlety, something you’ll want to savor.
Here are a few of my favorite moments in Forever Is A Feeling, along with the settings I recommend for the best listening experience.
After the opening prelude, “Big Deal” opens the record and sets the tone for what’s to come. The most captivating aspect of this track, in my opinion, is the warm bass tone. You can hear the subtle plucks of the strings and the movement of fingers on them, creating an inky-black backdrop for Lucy’s ethereal vocals. This allows the reverb effects on her voice to truly pop. For the best experience, I recommend listening on a home theater system or with bass-heavy headphones that capture both the depth of the bass and the intricate details. A subwoofer is even better if you have one. This isn’t a track to play in the background while studying or driving, it needs your full attention. Listening to it in my car just didn’t do it justice.
“Talk” is another standout track that showcases Lucy’s impressive song arrangement skills. The song has a compelling sense of movement and dynamics. She pulls you in with her soft, almost whispering vocals, only to punctuate the moment with powerful bursts of saturated guitars, whistles, and echoes. Lyrically, it explores the tension in a couple’s relationship as they struggle to connect. The shifting dynamics and production elements perfectly mirror the start-stop nature of a difficult conversation. You can feel the desperation in Lucy’s voice when she sings, “Do I make you nervous or bored? Or did I drink you to the last drop?” This track is best suited for those introspective, overcast days—it’ll snap you out of your fog.
I think Lucy Dacus fully understands the odd comfort in hearing about other people’s relationship struggles.
The title track, “Forever Is A Feeling,” shifts gears with a change in Lucy’s vocal register and more of those rich bass tones. The tempo picks up with bouncy keys and what sounds like brushed drums, adding a lively organic element to the production. The chorus is instantly catchy, making it impossible not to tap your toes. Slip this track into your playlist of old favorites, I think it will fit in just fine. It’s the perfect mood lifter to help you power through a tough task or break up the monotony of your daily routine.
“Most Wanted Man” offers a refreshing change of pace in both tempo and style. The lyrics focus on making the most of our time, framed through the lens of a relationship. When Lucy sings, “I’ll have time to write the book on you,” she hints at the idea that there’s time for reflection—after they’ve lived through some unforgettable moments together. You can tell this song was a joy to record, as there’s a playful warmth in Lucy’s voice, revealing how deeply she cares for the subject. It’s perfect for listening to with your significant other or adding to a shared playlist. Better yet, grab a physical copy and make a mix CD—it’s sure to put a smile on the face of whoever receives it.
My overall impression of Forever Is A Feeling is that Lucy Dacus made the most of every resource at her disposal.
The album sounds rich and meticulously crafted, with each song having a clear direction and message. It’s not one you need to blast at full volume or skip around to find a few standout moments. Instead, it’s a rewarding listen from start to finish if you give it the time and attention it truly deserves.
I think we could all benefit from a little more time and attention. In the era of 30-second reels and endless doom scrolling, our brains have been conditioned to react without much thought, often out of context. But if we took the time to fully appreciate our friends, world events, or even our own lives, we might find a deeper sense of meaning. There’s something incredible about being truly understood—not reduced to a label but seen in a broader context. We often feel like we don’t have time for this kind of reflection or that it’s easier to make snap judgments and move on. But what if I told you that time isn’t something you can conserve or hold onto, because Forever Is A Feeling?
Forever Is A Feeling is available on vinyl, CD, and streaming on Bandcamp.