Lucy Dacus, Ankles | Song Review

On “Ankles,” the third track from her fourth LP, Forever Is A Feeling, Lucy Dacus continues to prove she is among the best singer/songwriters of the 21^st century.

“What if we don’t touch? / What if we only talk / About what we want and cannot have?” Early on, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Lucy Dacus establishes a high bar on “Ankles”. “And I’ll throw a fit / If it’s all I can do,” she continues singing in the love-oriented first verse. “Ankles” is a promo single and the third track from Dacus’ fourth studio album, Forever Is A Feeling (arrives March 25, 2025). Dacus penned it, producing alongside Blake Mills. The results are impressive. 

“Ankles” features an ear-catching, driving, rhythmic strings from the onset. Besides the strings, plenty of excellent rhythmic lines contribute to the colorful vibes of the musical accompaniment. “Ankles” is anchored by a solid groove. The backdrop is perfect for Dacus, who delivers a cool, calm, and collected vocal performance. She never gets too high or too low. Furthermore, she never sounds like she never even thinks of breaking a sweat. Expectedly, the songwriting is top-notch. “Agent of chaos, angel of death / One of three ancient fates,” she sings the poetic lyrics in the second verse, adding, “Playing with your scissors again.” Beyond radiant vocals and elite songwriting, the melodies are tuneful, particularly during the chorus:

“Pull me by the ankles to the edge of the bed

And take me like you do in your dreams

I’m not gonna stop you

I’m not gonna stop you this time, baby.”

While one could dig in and analyze “Ankles” deeply, its excellence speaks for itself. Lucy Dacus continues to be one of the best songwriters of the 21^st century.

Lucy Dacus // Forever Is A Feeling // Lucy Dacus / Geffen // 3.25.25

[: Lucy Dacus / Geffen]