this is one of maybe 2 albums that legitimately scared me the first time I heard it. since 2018, and especially this past year, nicole has become one of my favorite songwriters and storytellers in general. she pulls no punches but the songs never feel unnecessarily brutal, even "in the land" which is one of several she's written based on real deaths. she is simply placing the darkest, grimiest corners of americana on display, forcing you to confront them, and she does it perfectly big suit david byrne