Mitski – A New Female Artist

Mitski (real name Mitsuki Laycock) created an immersive musical world through her choreography and layers of sound that included piano, propulsive guitar, programmed drum machines and even glitches – conjuring female archetypes through dance and sound. Her music suggests that one doesn’t need to be exceptionally privileged or self-indulgent to feel crippling growing pains as a young woman.

The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We

Mitski has always displayed an undeniable sense of power in her musicality despite the fragility of her lyrics. She can turn even an introspective moment into an emotionally wrenching anthem with ease, excelling at creating contrast between vulnerable vulnerability and raw, powerful musicality.

Be the Cowboy marks her latest attempt at perfecting this style with an air of refinement. The record blends her distinctive yet everyday lyrics with classic country accompaniment and daring orchestral movements for an impressionistic series of rural-tinged songs that explore love’s challenges and the desire for salvation from them – yet the album feels sadder than her earlier releases; an evolution which shows she’s not afraid to take risks with her talent.

Bury Me at Makeout Creek

Mitski released Bury Me at Makeout Creek in 2014, an album which explored themes relating to youth angst, hope for the future and death. This work propelled her into mainstream audiences and she soon began touring regularly as an opening act for acts such as Harry Styles and Lorde.

She commands an enthusiastic fan base that passionately loves and follows her every word and sells out shows. Her lyrics are seductive yet emotional; an eclectic blend of fairytales and nightmares that capture how people relate to one another and the world they inhabit. But more than just an outlet for youth anxiety or heartbreak, her music provides a tool against systemic oppression – this is why her fans call her “Mom”. She stands up against oppressive systems while providing resistance and resilience through resistance music.

Lush

Mitski’s lyrics have always been filled with emotion, but they truly come alive on this album. She shares how the pressures of becoming famous have become straining and straining on tracks such as “Liquid Smooth.” Her instrumentals add an additional layer of depth that convey her panic and sadness through music.

Lush was originally written as a junior project at Purchase College Conservatory of Music and contains so much emotion in every line. A much darker release than her more well-known albums, Lush epitomizes Gothic genre with themes of terror, anxiety and repression as well as medievalism (castles, mansions, cold architecture stone large walls that keep danger out as much as keep danger in) and surrealism. With songs like “Real Men” and “Wife,” Mitski articulated her dislike of toxic masculinity as well as feelings associated with being an infertile housewife – two themes explored throughout.

Retired From Sad

Mitski’s music speaks directly to young women and girls, and her concerts are intimate affairs that sell out quickly. However, the pressure from her fan base eventually took its toll and started impacting Mitski negatively.

As her 2019 album, Be the Cowboy, made best-of-year lists, she became fatigued from touring and its strain on both body and mind. As such, she made public an announcement to retire from music as well as to delete all social media accounts associated with it.

Retired From Sad, New Career in Business was produced during Mitski’s time at SUNY Purchase as an introspective college-era project. A poignant symphony of heartbreak and fear, this work by Patrick Hyland perfectly balances Mitski’s voice with orchestral arrangements like melodica riffs, skittering hi-hats and staticky glitches to produce something you won’t soon forget.

New Career in Business

Mitski released her sophomore album Retired from Sad, New Career in Business as her senior project at State University of New York at Purchase in 2013. It features a 60-piece student orchestra. This record explores themes of self-discovery and maturation amid an uncertain future – which still resonate 10 years later. Get Genius app to stay informed with music news; Genius is your ultimate music companion!