Photo via Mitski on Twitter
By Mallory McGovern
Few artists seem to capture the woe and frequent banality of life quite like Mitski does. With her knack for musical experimentation, lyrical expression and tonal embodiments of sadness, it’s no surprise that Mitski has cultivated quite the audience of 20 to 30 somethings grappling with the same emotions and uncertainty. Laurel Hell marks Mitski’s return to music, four years after the commercially and critically successful 2018 album Be The Cowboy. For fans, those four years have been marked by a noticeable silence, as Mitski disappeared from social media and appeared to have left the industry–with Laurel Hell resulting in part from her label contract’s conditions for a 6th studio album.
While Mitski may be opening for several 2022 dates with Harry Styles, many songs on Laurel Hell reveal themes of an artist grappling with her dissatisfaction with all she has worked for. Cat Zhang’s album review puts it best when describing “Working for the Knife” as “the arresting lead single and guiding light of her sixth album.” The album’s second single “The Only Heartbreaker” returns to one of the themes (i.e. heartbreak, typically on the receiving end) that makes her music so relatable. However, the song departs from tradition with a catchiness and sound that brings it in line with the next indie-pop hit to reach mainstream audiences. Interestingly, the album seems to be a mix of these potential dance hits (as long as you don’t listen to the lyrics, of course), as well as slow and steady ballads. But regardless of the song’s individual production style, Mitski’s haunting voice and arresting presence make for music that seems to sink into your bones as you listen, reminding you why you’ll keep coming back to hear what she creates next.
Mitski will be playing at The Anthem on March 26 and 27, but until then, here’s a short list of my personal album highlights to guide your listening journey:
- Lyric That Hurt Me the Most Personally: “I cry at the start of every movie, I guess ‘cause I wish I was making things, too” in “Working for the Knife”
- Best Song to Listen to While Looking Out of a Car Window: “Stay Soft” or “Valentine, Texas”
- Worst Song to Hear This Close to Valentine’s Day: “Should Have Been Me”
- Song That Remind You Why You Love Mitski Even Though She Breaks Your Heart: “Heat Lightning”
- Best Proof that Mitski Is Just Like Me: “Love Me More”
