Inhospitable Love by Mitski
Mitski, short for Mitski Miyawaki, is known for her intimate songwriting and moody indie rock. Having moved between 13 different countries during her childhood, the Japanese-American singer-songwriter channels her conflicting emotions regarding identity and childhood memories into her music. The award-winning singer has generated a cult following of non-conformists and yearning individuals who identify with her dynamic range of emotions and lack of definite self. On Sept. 15 of this year, she released her seventh studio album, The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We.
Utilizing her mastery of creating heart-wrenching lyrics, Mitski brilliantly produced 11 tracks that prod at the listener’s emotions. Her third track, “Heaven,” is a wistful piece about the intimate and everyday moments in a relationship; the sweet nothings scattered in the ballad illustrate the nature of a private romance blossoming in a place secluded from all else. A line that encompasses the intimacy was, “Now I bend like a willow thinking of you.” The quiet affection within the words makes the song one of the loveliest on the album, its slow melody befitting of a film soundtrack. Seeing that the album has a central theme of love, there are many romantic songs, one of them being, “My Love Mine All Mine” — the epitome of tenderness and fondness, and my favorite in the record. Yearning to send her heart to the moon following her death, the singer wishes to immortalize her love in its celestial light, so that her lover may feel her forever. The chorus sings, “‘Cause my love is mine, all mine,” and, “Nothing in the world belongs to me/But my love, mine, all mine, all mine.” In an ever-changing world, Mitski beautifully encaptures the constant devotion she feels for her lover. It is the most soothing song in the album, both lyrically and musically.
The first track, “Bug Like an Angel,” fits perfectly as The Land Is Inhospitable’s lead single. The themes it touches upon — religion, self-destruction, set the foundation for the following 10 songs. “Bug Like an Angel” is when we first hear the 17-person choir and orchestra that Mitski organized. After 50 seconds of mellow tones, Mitski hits us with her dynamic range with the suddenness of how she sings, “Sometimes a drink feels like family/Family.” The sudden presence of the entire choir is almost overbearing, but it aligns with the contradictory feelings prevalent in the song and The Land Is Inhospitable at large. Although Mitski emphasizes the word family, what is received is the isolation the singer feels, which is embedded in the gut-wrenching lyrics. The dynamic range of songs makes the album stand out, but it is up to the listener as to whether they enjoy the suddenness or not. Some songs in the album can be moderately harsh, depending on who is listening. Such a song is “When Memories Snow,” one of the album’s shortest at one minute and 44 seconds, is a contemplative piece filled with discordant sounds and instrumentals. The song uses a cacophony of instruments to mirror the singer’s memories, which she compares to snowfall blocking the pathway forward — memories that linger no matter how much time passes.
Finally, contrary to the title “I Love Me After You,” the last track on the album is an exploration of the newfound independence after a relationship. The line that best embodies the song’s theme is the line, “The streets are mine, the night is mine.” Familiar? Because it is apropos, “‘Cause my love is mine, all mine.” Evidently, the listeners can see the shift in the album’s narrative. From the loving and tenderness of “My Love Mine All Mine” to the contrary “I Love Me After You,” Mitski ends her album single.
Overall, the album is a triumph. The honorary mentions for me are “The Frost,” a mellow song about loss and longing, and “Star,” a song comparing her and her partner’s love to burnt out stars. The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We has solidified Mitski as an artist to watch out for in the upcoming years. Totaling at 32 minutes and 22 seconds, every song on the album is worth a listen to. The singer-songwriter will bring out your deepest emotions and keep them on the surface, raw and aching.
Photo Courtesy of Apple Music
