“The Architect” by Kasey Musgraves is a song about one woman’s relationship with God and how this woman looks at the world with specific views in mind. The style of music is akin to country, with inspired and mostly cheerful instrumentals that are juxtaposed against melancholic and deep vocals. These vocals contain an air of depth that many other modern artists seem to lack. This song has many great pieces that overcome its few shortcomings and does an admirable job both setting a tone and providing a message.

While a lot of traditional southern country music has motifs of Christianity and God, few of these songs explore the perspective of someone wavering in faith. Throughout the song, Musgraves keeps asking, “Can I speak to the architect?” Every time she does this it is usually after a verse like “Even something as small as an apple/ It’s simple and somehow complex/ Sweet and divine, the perfect design.” For the entire song the storyteller wants to speak to God and ask him why he created anything the way he did until about halfway through the song, she says, “Sometimes I look in the mirror/ And wish I could make a request/ Could I pray it away?/ Am I shapeable clay/ Or is this as good as it gets?” Musgraves then goes on to ask about if the love she feels is part of the Architect’s plan or if she can make her own choices. She also asks about if her failures were her own or if the Architect was simply putting her through pain. At the very end of the song, she questions if there really is a God or if maybe everything is like it is because that is how it is.

Even just looking at the lyrics alone it becomes easier to understand where this writer is coming from, and this song points out several worries people have about God. Even if you are not Christian or really all that religious, this song is still good with strong beats. Great vocals with amazingly introspective lyrics. Overall, I would recommend this song as a 7/10.