Album Review: Mitski - 'The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We'
Mitski reminds us how human she is with her new album "The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We”. The perfect soundtrack for a melancholic autumn.
Mitski is gearing up to unveil her seventh studio album, "The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We”. Two new tracks, "Star" and "Heaven" – in the wake of her lead single, "Bug Like an Angel" – have already been released. These latest offerings provide an enticing glimpse into what promises to be Mitski's most expansive and introspective work yet. Additionally, she's revealed plans for a series of intimate, acoustic performances in Europe and the UK, aptly titled "Amateur Mistake."
The release takes us on the purest of human journeys through Mitski's latest opus. This album couldn't be more honest if it tried. It's a mesmerising descent into the depths of our own souls, a masochist's dream, a perfect companion for lost souls navigating the labyrinth of life and self-discovery.
Mitski, she's not just a musician; she's a dream catcher, capturing our hopes, fears, and shattered dreams with her evocative melodies and heart-wrenching lyrics. This album, much like her previous works, beckons to those who seek emotional chaos and self-destruction in the most beautiful way possible. It's a torch in the darkness, illuminating the trials and tribulations of finding oneself and the tumultuous journey of embracing what we discover.
The sheer relevancy of the track - "I Don't Like My Mind” is brilliant. Mitski strikes a universal chord, "I don't like my mind”, “I don't like being left alone”, “with its judgments about the choices I've made." However, in true Mitski fashion, she transforms this ballad into a raw yet intricate web of thoughts and emotions surrounding self-love and future self. Revisiting Mitski’s previous track, “Working for the Knife” featured on “Laurel Hell”, we see that she is still providing comfort for restless souls. In these times, when every twenty-something I know is wrestling with the uncertainty of their path ahead, Mitski's company amongst us becomes a calming presence.
As we wade through the depths of "The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We" Mitski becomes our choir leader, guiding us through the symphony of love, loss, and loneliness. The track "The Deal" envelops us in Mitski's plea for a life less soulless, her voice mingling with orchestral violins, creating a hauntingly beautiful lament. "I'm Your Man" resonates as elegies for souls resigned to their own withering existence, each note a sombre reflection on the finite nature of our being.
In essence, this is a well-produced album that exudes tortured artistry. Mitski's unique ability to capture the essence of our hopes, fears, and shattered dreams with her emotive melodies and heart-rending lyrics is elevating. Much like her previous works, this album calls out to those who seek solace in emotional turmoil and self-reflection, offering a radiant beacon of light amidst life's trials and tribulations. This album is another brilliant chapter on the raw unfiltered depths of human experience.
Words by Sophie Gwillim
