REVIEWS

The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We by Mitski
Released September 15, 2023

Reviewed: September 21, 2023

I want to start off by saying that there might be bias in this review simply because Mitski has been in my top 3 artist of my Spotify wrapped for the past few years. Alright to the review of this album.

I love it. I have had this album on repeat throughout my days since it was put on Spotify. I am going to give a song by song review. Mitski has said in multiple interviews that she has been living in Nashville, TN. We can fully see the influence of the south.

The opening track and the first single of this album “Bug Like an Angel” have the chorus come in around a minute. Even the music video has a chorus group which elevate the song even more. The ending lines of this song are “the wrath of the devil / Was also given him by God.” This line, all the visuals, the chorus, and that slow guitar strumming remind of the South.

The second track, “Buffalo Replace,” it is not my most favorite track on the album, but it is lyrically beautiful. This song does stick with the title of the album. Meaning the song emulates the theme of human connections and isolation.

“Heaven” is the third track of the album and was one of the earlier releases. In an earlier weekly music playlist I sent out I had included the song “Heaven,” which I said was one of the most romantic songs Mitski has ever written. That still stands today. Heaven is absolutely one of her most romantic songs on this album. You have beautiful imagery that is painted to the listener and again continues that Southern influence.

The fourth track, “I Don’t Like My Mind” not a smooth transition from the third track to this which I think compliments the song well. As the song gives the sense of inner-turmoil a bit of a frenzy remembering all of the things of times where you judged yourself so harshly.

“The Deal” is the firth track in the album here we the this person trading their soul to feel solitude. You know when you’re so tired and everything feels so heavy? That’s that feeling. around 45 seconds it picks up then slow again where she’s accepting the consequences (~2:50-ish) ultimately picking back up where she says I made the deal.

A smooth transition next we have “When Memories Snow.” In this song around 45 seconds we have a sort of iconic western trumpet. As the song continues it reminds of scenes in Western films where the camera focuses on the good guy running through the desert to become this hero. So the beat/tempo of the song really reminds me of a cowboy running faster and faster. This image I have goes well with the whole theme of the song where Mitski is saying she has the tendency to shove memories behind.

Lucky number seven, “My Love Mine All Mine” this song is so beautiful. The third track was about loving someone, but track seven. This one right here. This is loving yourself and the love you give. Maybe because I love to love. Maybe because I am a lover. I’ve had this one on repeat the most. It is so beautiful. I think ultimately right there’s the lyric that says, “So, when I die, which I must do / Could it shine down here with you?” So after we’re all gone right? and “Nothing in the world belongs to me” so not being able to take any of the materialistic stuff with you all that’s left is the love you gave… “But my love, mine, all mine, all mine.” It makes me so sad that people keep saying its such a sad song when it isn’t.

“The Frost” this is the eight track in the album. We have that southern twang again throughout this whole song. Not my most favorite, but also not my least. This song again deals with the idea of human connection.

The ninth track, “Star” was one of the earlier releases that got paired with “Heaven.” This song is a slow burn of remembering memories of a past lover. This one is one of my favorites. Towards the later end of the song the beats remind me of this idea of stars shimmering.

Female manipulator music, I hope it becomes a thing because this is exactly what the tenth track, “I’m Your Man” is. I have no better way to describe this song than that. It’s the ending of a relationship and the protagonist is showing their true colors. One of my favorites too. I also love the ending where the track layers dogs barking with the repeated chant and the sound of nature.

The last song, “I Love Me After You” is sort of someone giving themselves that self-love after a relationship has ended. She’s indulging on all the things that bring her joy and she gets to indulge in these things. This is expressed through the repeated phrase, "I'm king of all the land.”

Pitchfork gave this album an 8.1/10. I give this a 10/10.