Dacus, known for her expressive songwriting and deeply felt lyricism, has never shied away from vulnerability. But with this album, she takes a step further, embracing a level of candor that feels both raw and inevitable. The striking album cover—a painting by Will St. John—embodies that openness. “I had a moment of wondering if I was crazy,” she admits with a laugh. “I’m hardly ever comfortable showing that much of myself. But it’s so beautiful, and I wanted to be like the patron saint of Forever Is a Feeling.”

The album’s opening track, “Calliope”, sets the tone in an unexpected way. Featuring only violin, it builds tension, pulling listeners into the world Dacus has crafted. “It kind of tunes people,” she says, comparing it to an orchestra warming up before a performance. “It’s not like anything I’ve ever made.” The violin, played by Phoenix Rosiomanis, weaves through the record, adding texture and emotion in unexpected places.

Dacus’s collaboration with Hozier on Bullseye also adds a new layer to the album’s storytelling. “His unedited voice memo was awe-inspiring,” she recalls of their first exchange. “I was kind of shaken. I thought his voice would sound perfect for this song, and he completely delivered.” The track, about parting ways with love still lingering, captures a rare kind of bittersweet acceptance. “What a dream to both say, ‘We still love each other, but it’s not right anymore.’”

If Forever Is a Feeling is about love, it’s also about the tensions that come with it—passion, fear, self-destruction, and reinvention. Songs like “Ankles” and “Limerence” explore an intoxicating sense of desire. “I used to think wanting things was dangerous,” she admits. “I don’t know if it was growing up in church or being reluctant to admit my queerness, but I felt like if I asked myself what I really wanted, something bad would happen.”

Through the course of the album, she moves through that fear. “By the end, I realized—actually, it’s not going to destroy me. It might destroy my life as I knew it, but on the other side, there’s a whole new life to live.”

Dacus has been open about the sacrifices that came with making this record. She’s described it as destroying a really beautiful life to create this album. She confesses “I used to think contentment is just a decision that you should make, and if you’re not content, that’s a spiritual failure of your own. But realizing I don’t have to be miserable in order to make a change— I could be really, really happy but still feel that my life is somewhere else—that’s huge”. It’s a statement that carries weight, but she doesn’t say it with regret. Instead, it’s with the understanding that growth often requires difficult choices.

Her recording process for “Best Guests” was one of the most spontaneous moments on the album. “I finished writing the song the morning we recorded it,” she shares. The session was live, with musicians like Bartees Strange, Madison Cunningham, and Melina Duterte playing in real time. “It felt really rare and special to track it that way, where we were all just listening to each other.”

Beyond music, Dacus has long used her platform for activism. “I guess I just have more money to give away now,” she jokes. But her approach has also evolved. “There’s so much rage at the injustices happening—the attacks on trans people, the environment, education, healthcare. But I think providing a space where people can actually connect and experience relief is just as important.” She recalls friends signing off their messages “With Love and Rage,” a phrase that resonates deeply. “There’s already a lot of rage. Maybe love is the thing I can focus on.”

As for the future, Dacus is taking things as they come. “I’m excited about my life right now,” she says with a smile. “I have a home life I cherish. I miss my girlfriend when I’m away, I miss my dog. And I’m looking forward to playing these songs live—being in a room with people where it all feels real.”

When asked if she has any advice for aspiring musicians, her answer is immediate: “Only do this if you love it. There’s no day where you feel like you’ve ‘made it.’ So don’t get into it for validation. Get into it because making music makes you happy.”

If Forever Is a Feeling proves anything, it’s that Dacus is chasing something far more meaningful than success. She’s chasing truth, connection, and the kind of impact that lingers long after the final note fades. In that way, maybe, forever really is a feeling.

Photographer: Ashley Gellman