Mitski’s sixth studio album “Laurel Hell” dropped earlier this month following the release of several promising singles. Her previous album “Be the Cowboy” was released in 2018 yet had a few tracks –”Nobody” and “Me and My Husband” –recently trend on TikTok. The music’s prominence on TikTok does not diminish its quality. I admit that I first discovered Mitski through a TikTok set to “Washing Machine Heart.”
“Laurel Hell” joins her impressive discography that is equal parts beautiful and melancholy. Her new work, however, is more than a compilation of sad girl anthems (in fact, the singer hates the “sad girl” concept). It showcases Mitski’s ability to skillfully mix modern and retro sounds into something refreshingly unique.
My Favorite Tracks
Rather than a track-by-track breakdown, I wanted to highlight my favorite songs off the album. I’ve organized these by the order they appear on the album.
- “Valentine, Texas”
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This opening track is softly haunting. The blend of bass, synth, and heartbreaking resembles the ambiance of the score to David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks” (just listen to the TV show’s main theme).
- “Stay Soft”
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Fun, sexy, and even a little funky, “Stay Soft” captivated me on the first listen–and I notoriously require several listens before I enjoy a song. This track is also reminiscent of Mitski’s hit “Nobody.”
- “Working for the Knife”
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Released as the album’s first single, “Working for the Knife” has an alluring industrial quality (beginning with sounds akin to metalworking). The video balances strange modern dance with a gorgeous and empty building that radiates the energy of a futuristic yet 1970s hotel (at least to me). This contemporary yet nostalgic vibe pervades the album, especially on my next favorite track.
- “The Only Heartbreaker”
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Another single, “The Only Heartbreaker” expresses fears of inadequacy and self-disdain–but in a fun way you can dance to!
- “Love Me More”
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For some reason, this song reminds me of “Maniac” by Michael Sembello that’s featured in the 1983 film “Flashdance”. Whether or not I’m the only one who thinks this, “Love Me More” is thoroughly enjoyable, mastering relationship woes in a way that gets you grooving.
When I listen to an album, I like to delineate if it is a “daytime” album or a “nighttime” one. The former sounds good while walking on a sunny morning or making breakfast. Meanwhile, the latter goes well with soft, ambient lighting and the emotions that one only feels after the sun has set. While I would totally skip through a park listening to tracks like “Stay Soft” and “Love Me More,” I think Mitski’s newest work is particularly impactful after dark.
In a world rich with music, I enjoy album reviews as a way to sift through everything, as the sheer abundance of content can be overwhelming. However, I despise reviewers who present their opinions as definitive facts. These opinions are unique to me, and everyone responds to music differently. The only way to truly know how you feel about “Laurel Hell” is to sit down and listen through it (maybe once during the day and once at night)!