"The Architect" was the last song written for Deeper Well; Musgraves had initially considered the album complete but met with Josh Osborne and Shane McAnally for another songwriting session in Nashville early 2023.[2] The three were horrified following a school shooting in the city a few weeks prior that killed six people, and started discussing "the beauty and the terror of being a human". Musgraves had the song's title in mind and was holding a green apple, while Osborne came up with the line "Can I speak to the architect?".[2][3]
The ballad's lyrics ponder the existence of God and wonder how a creator could let bad things happen.[3][4] Its lyrics ask a number of questions, such as "Does it happen by chance? Is it all happenstance? / Do we have any say in this mess? / Is it too late to make some more space?".[5][6] Musgraves produced the song with Ian Fitchuk and Daniel Tashian; the two also contributed to the track as pianist and banjoist, respectively. MCA Nashville sent "The Architect" to country radio stations in the US on March 25, 2024.[7]
Critical reception
"The Architect" has received positive reviews from critics, with praise for its songwriting. Brittney McKenna of Nashville Scene called it "one of the best songs Musgraves has ever written",[8] while Jessica Nicholson of Billboard called it "sublime" and a "musical triumph".[9]Sputnikmusic proclaimed it "brilliant musically and lyrically".[10] In a ranking of songs from Deeper Well, Billboard's Melina Newman placed "The Architect" in fourth place.[11]Billboard additionally ranked the song at number two on its list of the ten best country songs of 2024.[12]Taste of Country placed it at number three on its list of the Top 40 Country Songs of 2024.[13]
On the other hand, Thomas Bedenbaugh of Slant Magazine felt the song used too many clichés while Rachel Aroesti of The Guardian called the song "irritatingly twee".[14][15] Meanwhile, Joseph Hudak of Rolling Stone disagreed that "The Architect" was twee, calling it an "elegant, deep thinker" instead, and opining that Musgraves should win the Grammy Award for Best Country Song.[16]
The music video for "The Architect" was released on December 4, 2024, and features Musgraves as an earth mother who assembles a jigsaw puzzle and rolls around naked in mud.[24] A press release from Universal Music Group Nashville describes the video as "an earthy and majestic ode to the wonders of nature".[25] A puzzle of the single art for "The Architect" was released through Musgraves' online store, as well as guitar tab sheet music for the song.[26][27] An apple-shaped 7-inch vinyl, featuring a version recorded live at Electric Lady Studios as the B-side, is scheduled for release in February 2025.[28]
