Does Kyle Nix's "Graves" Bury Miranda Lambert?

On June 25th Kyle Nix released his debut album Lightning on the Mountain. One of those songs on the album has been stuck on my mind for the last five months. "Graves" stands out from the many bangers on this album in that it is the only song with an angry bite to it. Naturally amidst the peppy bluegrass and crooning love songs, the bitterness of "Graves" draws attention... and maybe it was made to.

At first listen, "Graves" is like every other country song. There's a foolish boy and a heartbreaking girl and, of course, beer. We haven't just heard that story on the radio, though. A closer look shows that "Graves" tells the tragedy of Evan Felker from an outsiders point of view.

If you haven't heard the story, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton split up in 2015. This kicked up quite a few rumors about cheating on both sides. The media went into a frenzy again when in 2018, Miranda Lambert and Evan Felker started dating. Evan Felker had been married and had cheated on his wife while on tour with Lambert. Soon after the divorce with his wife, the Turnpike Troubadours split up with rumors that Felker was in rehab for alcohol addiction. Kyle Nix, was a member of the Turnpike Troubadours who is now starting a solo career. "Graves" appears to tell this story from Nix's point of view.

Not convinced? Here's a breakdown of the lyrics and the subtle references to Evan Felker.

She’s pressed against the bar

With lipstick on her glass

She’s known ‘round these parts

And he just stumbled onto the tracks

Enjoy the show

Pretty girls make graves

But a fool will dig his own

He strolled up like the King of Hearts

Countin’ money for her drinks

Took her hand and brushed against

The Ace of Spades in her sleeve

Hand him the spade, take your seat

Enjoy the show

Pretty girls make graves

But a fool will dig his own

Now he’s clothed in skin and bones

The sky is turning black

He tells himself he should have known

Opens the bottle and tips it back

Hand him the spade, take your seat

Enjoy the show

Pretty girls make graves

But a fool will dig his own

But a fool will dig his own

Are you convinced? Either heartbreak is just a common theme in country music, or Kyle Nix was airing some dirty laundry. Either way, Lightning on the Mountain was an amazing album and certainly worth the listen.

Check it out now!