Mitski is an indie singer-songwriter best known for her hit singles “Washing Machine Heart” and “The Only Heartbreaker.” On September 15th, 2023 she released her 7th album, The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We, the name of which came to her during the pandemic, a reflection of the world at that time. The album blends the genres of indie and orchestral pop with a slight twist of country and folk. This new album contains less production making it feel much more raw and laid back compared to her previous work.
“Bug Like an Angel”
The opening track of the album, “Bug Like an Angel”, is about addiction. “Sometimes a drink feels like family,” Mitski sings. The song starts off simply with guitar and Mitski’s lovely voice when the end of the first verse is abruptly joined by a choir. The rest of the song continues in this pattern. While beautiful, the song feels as if it’s missing something but is still a worthwhile opener to the record.
“Buffalo Replaced”
One of the more upbeat tracks, “Buffalo Replaced” set a hopeful tone for the album. The ambiguous lyrics make it hard to discern the intended meaning but there are themes of wildness and freedom. This is best shown in the chorus, “Freight train stampedin’ through my backyard, it’ll run across the plains like the new buffalo replaced.”
“Heaven”
The next song, “Heaven”, has been described by Mitski, in a TikTok prior to the release of the album, as “one of the most romantic songs on the upcoming album,” and it’s easy to see why. The song lyrics appreciate a lover, despite alluded hardships. However, parts of it are sung in a way that it sounds as if she is trying to sing as loudly as possible without using her chest, almost pitchy. It’s a rude break in the graceful and lulling melodies and comes as a disappointment knowing the impressive capabilities of Mitski.
“I Don’t Like My Mind”
As the title might suggest, this song discusses mental health, a recurring theme in Mitski’s music. She expresses regret over things she’s done and busies herself with work to avoid being left alone with her thoughts. The opening lyric goes “I don’t like my mind, I don’t like being left alone in a room with all its opinions about the things I’ve done.” This is easily one of her saddest and most honest songs from the album.
“The Deal”
The title, “The eal,” refers to a “deal with the devil” in which someone trades their soul, often for selfish reasons such as fame or wealth. The narrator has no wish for that but rather wants the burden of their soul to be taken. “The Deal,” though nothing groundbreaking, is a classic Mitski song with stunning vocals and melody.
“When Memories Snow”
The next track, “When Memories Snow” is a metaphor for resurfacing memories. In this case, the memories are negative and possibly something deeper such as PTSD. This song is easily one of the weakest on the album. Despite a more depressing topic, it still feels very lacking in substance. To make matters worse, it’s sung in a way similar to “Heaven,” with strained off-pitch vocals that further the sense of desperation but overall ruin the song’s potential.
“My Love Mine All Mine”
The following song, “My Love Mine All Mine” is an ode to love and the ability to feel and share it. “To love is the best I ever did, the most beautiful thing,” Mitski said in a TikTok, “I wish that after I die I could at least leave behind this beautiful love.” This sentiment is reflected in this song, as it’s sung in a way that will move you to tears.
“The Frost”
Loneliness and isolation are themes of “The Frost” but despite this, it manages to feel soothing and bittersweet. Like many of the songs, it contains little to no chorus and is primarily comprised of verses. This gives it a slightly unfinished feeling that furthers the album’s melancholy.
“Star”
One of the three singles from the album is “Star”. In this track, Mitski reminisces on a past love that has burnt out, like a star. The song starts off slow but builds as it goes on. It draws on elements from “Pink in the Night,” a song off of Mitski’s 2018 album Be the Cowboy.
“I’m Your Man”
In the song, “I’m Your Man,” the narrator describes being idolized and worshiped by a lover only to hurt them in return. This is best shown in the line “You believe me like a god, I destroy like I am.” Mitski has no trouble calling herself the problem in her music
“I Love Me After You”
In the closing track “I Love Me After You,” Mitski sings of healing and learning to love yourself after being left by a partner. This track takes a more positive stance after the previous song and leaves a lasting impression of hope and new beginnings as the album comes to an end.
The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We is a beautiful and lyrically honest album. Whether you are a fan or new to Mitski, it’s a cathartic and familiar experience best enjoyed on cold, early mornings.
