Kacey Musgraves Explains Wild Story Behind 'Middle of Nowhere' Album Cover

The eight-time Grammy winner stopped traffic in Dallas to pose with a real-life Texas longhorn for her new album artwork.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 4:35pm

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Kacey Musgraves surprised fans this week with the announcement of her forthcoming sixth album, 'Middle of Nowhere', set for release on May 1. The album cover features Musgraves standing on a street corner in Dallas with a Texas longhorn, a story the singer says was better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Musgraves reunited with past collaborators for the album, which promises a return to her country roots after the pop-leaning 'Golden Hour'.

Why it matters

Musgraves' new album marks a homecoming of sorts, as it's her first release under the revived Lost Highway Records label where she originally signed in 2011. The album cover stunt also highlights Musgraves' playful and humorous persona, which she says she intentionally steered away from on her previous album but is now embracing again as she believes 'we need to laugh more in this modern crazy time'.

The details

For the 'Middle of Nowhere' album cover, Musgraves and her sister, the photographer, decided to bring a real Texas longhorn bull from a friend's ranch and ride around Dallas, quickly getting out to block traffic with cones to capture the shot. Musgraves says they had no permits or official approval, but felt it was better to ask for forgiveness than permission. The lead single 'Dry Spell' also marks a return to the witty wordplay of Musgraves' 2013 debut, as she reunited with past collaborators known for their humor.

  • Kacey Musgraves announced the new album 'Middle of Nowhere' earlier this week.
  • 'Middle of Nowhere' is set for release on May 1, 2026.

The players

Kacey Musgraves

An eight-time Grammy Award winning country music singer-songwriter known for her blend of traditional country and modern pop sensibilities.

Lost Highway Records

A record label where Musgraves originally signed in 2011, which has been recently relaunched by Interscope Records with Musgraves as its first artist.

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What they’re saying

“Haters are gonna say that that bull is AI, but it is definitely not.”

— Kacey Musgraves, Singer-songwriter (NPR)

“Nobody does humor better than those guys, and I was craving humor again. That was a big part of earlier albums, and then I maybe purposefully steered away from that, just so I didn't paint myself into some sort of bumper sticker lane.”

— Kacey Musgraves, Singer-songwriter (NPR)

What’s next

Musgraves' new album 'Middle of Nowhere' is set for release on May 1, 2026.

The takeaway

Kacey Musgraves' bold and playful approach to her new album artwork and music signals a return to the humorous sensibilities that defined her early work, as she looks to provide a lighthearted escape for listeners in 'this modern crazy time'.