February 10th, 2026
Finding the Right Time: Gal Musette’s “Broken Clock”
When Gal Musette released her album Backwards Lullaby in 2021, she shared a simple note on Instagram: if anyone wanted to hear it, she’d send out copies — specifically some of the broken ones — for free. The CDs had cracked front cases, imperfect but still fully playable. I took her up on the offer without hesitation. That CD still sits with me, and I treasure it — not in spite of the damage, but because of it.
That small gesture feels inseparable from the spirit of Broken Clock. Both reflect an artist comfortable with imperfection, unafraid to let wear and history show. The broken case wasn’t something to disguise; it was part of the story. That sensibility — accepting what’s imperfect but meaningful — runs straight through the heart of this song.
“Broken Clock” anchors itself in the familiar saying “even a broken clock is right twice a day,” but Musette turns the phrase into something deeply personal. In her own words, an old boyfriend once called her “blind.” Even with those blind spots, she knew her gut was right in leaving that relationship behind. The song transforms that moment of dismissal into a meditation on intuition — not as certainty, but as something human, fallible, and quietly reliable. Clarity arrives not through perfection, but through trusting the voice you almost learned to ignore.
Musically, the track mirrors that emotional honesty. Confessional lyrics sit within cinematic tones and a moody Americana undercurrent, but nothing feels overstated. Acoustic guitar, backbeat rhythms, and piano form a gentle foundation, with subtle harmonies adding warmth without crowding the frame. The tempo is unhurried, and the production leaves intentional space around the vocal. Vulnerability becomes strength here, not because it’s emphasized, but because it’s trusted.
That restraint has long been a defining element of Musette’s writing. Earlier songs in her catalog often explored longing and openness — music shaped by emotional clarity rather than flourish. Those songs resonated because they felt lived-in, sincere, and unforced.
“Broken Clock” carries those qualities forward, but with a noticeable shift. Where some earlier material leaned toward yearning, this song leans into recognition. It doesn’t frame resolution as a dramatic turning point. Instead, it settles into acceptance — the understanding that you don’t need perfect vision to make the right decision. You only need enough self-trust to act when something inside you speaks.
That’s where the song’s quiet power lives. “Broken Clock” doesn’t argue its point or ask to be believed. It exists in its truth and lets that be enough. Over repeated listens, its meaning deepens — not through revelation, but through steadiness.
The cracked CD case of Backwards Lullaby on my shelf feels like a physical echo of that idea. Like the song itself, it’s a reminder that value isn’t diminished by imperfection. Sometimes, it’s defined by it. For that reason, Gal Musette is February’s Artist of the Month — not because of hype or momentum, but because her work reflects the kind of songwriting I value and seek out. “Broken Clock” understands that timing isn’t about precision; it’s about alignment. And as the first glimpse into her upcoming album Our Day in the Sun, it quietly sets the emotional compass for what follows — an exploration of loss, endings, and the clarity that comes from finally trusting yourself.
“Broken Clock” can be found on our playlist, Artists & Drifters; and be sure to click on Gal's Link-tree found in the features section to the right for many other ways to find and support her work.
By Joe Pope
Artists & Drifters | JP Music Playlists
