Mitski albums

2023

The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We - 88%

The professionalism of Mitski can be off putting, as my wife described her music as someone “singing the same note over and over without taking a breath- it just keeps going!” While she has a point, there is a world even in rock n roll where singers voices are actually very trained and happen to break into the market. Mitski has worn many faces over the years, but the last couple of albums have this 1970’s singer songwriter-light vibe and she definitely excels at it on this album, which is also perhaps her best one. “The Frost” is a simple and charming example of this type of laid back and easy going tune that anyone of all ages can enjoy, and the ability to make sounds sound easy to make should not be overlooked. The Leonard Cohen homage “I’m Your Man” is another one, enhanced by a Will Oldham since of foreboding and dog barking sound effects. Also, there is a universal appeal to a song as catchy and perfect as “My Love Is Mine”, a piano ballad for the ages and one of the top songs of the decade.

“Heaven” does the same thing for a country music ballad, that anyone in the business should be jealous of its beauty and pureness. Mitski seems to have her playful spirit engaged for tunes such as “I Don’t My Mind” where she has ecstasy ridden moans in the chorus about eating too much cake; “When Memories Snow” can’t resist having a Kate Bush type background vocal that mocks how serious she is being on the other verses. Layers and layers of satire and artifice exist in Mitski’s music that is observant of all the trends and fashions of the time, while her lyrics are a constant wink at the difficulty of having relationships, all of which will only make her songs mean more and stand the test of time better.

Best Songs: My Love Mine All Mine, Heaven, I Don’t Like My Mind, I’m Your Man