Two years after the release of her most divisive album, “Laurel Hell,” Mitski released her seventh album “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We” on Sept. 14 to the thrill of her fans. Mitski’s latest record goes in a brand new direction with a fresh set of influences.
The album consists of 11 tracks amounting to 32 minutes of music. “TLIHASAW” is enchanting with Mitski swapping out the synths and drum machines of her previous two records to return to a more acoustic and orchestral sound. Mitski has played with an orchestral sound before. However this time around, her sound has new influences in the form of classic Hollywood soundtracks, country music and Americana.
This folk/country influence can be felt right off the bat in the opener and lead single “Bug Like an Angel.” The song is a sorrowful reflection of the narrator’s broken promises and alcoholism. The track begins softly with just Mitski’s husked vocals over an acoustic guitar, light bass and piano before striking listeners with a loud and impactful gospel choir for the chorus.
“With music, the beautiful thing is sometimes you don’t need to have a concise verbal explanation. Sometimes, it’s just a feeling and at the end of the day, it was just a feeling like, ‘You know what? I want a big choir at this moment,” Mitski said in a Sept. 15 NPR story.
Mitski’s songwriting is just as expressive, intelligent and captivating as it has always been. Full of vivid metaphors, intimate lyrics and emotionally cathartic moments. A strong moment in the record is “The Deal,” a song about the narrator selling their soul for the sole purpose of getting rid of it. The song’s climax features these drums that seem almost off-rhythm as Mitski’s voice is drowned out by the vocals.
Mitski’s lyricism is introspective, poetic and rich with feeling. In my personal favorite song “I Don’t Like My Mind,” the singer attempts to avoid sitting with her own mind by overindulging in distractions such as overworking herself or eating a whole Christmas cake by herself. It’s a relatable emotion in the age of consumption and content.
The sound of the album is enhanced greatly by the chamber orchestra, giving the album a cinematic feel. The orchestra is used to great effect on songs like “Heaven,” which ends with an instrumental piece by the orchestra and a piano that transports listeners straight onto a classic Hollywood romance film. Or on “When Memories Snow,” where the orchestra turns cacophonous with french horns and woodwinds.
“The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We” is another high point in Mitski’s discography. Mitski crafts another collection of songs that can jump straight into your heart and remind it of old memories, all in 32 minutes. Mitski is no stranger to making music that resonates emotionally with listeners, but after seven albums, she still continues to create new material that feels fresh and just as emotionally potent as ever.
