MITSKI 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Mitski showcases remarkable songwriting prowess and stunning melodic potency on her new album The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We. It comes fairly quickly on the heels of last year's well-received Laurel Hell album as well as after some tour dates with pop heavyweight Harry Styles. He hasn't seemingly rubbed off on her, though, as she swerves catchy tunes in favour of a high-concept story of an unnamed narrator navigating an abandoned planet. Featuring a choir and orchestra throughout, the album is grandiose to say the least with personal lyricism and darkly soulful melodies next to more quiet and tender moments. Another great work from Mitski.

Review: Japanese-American indie-rocker Mitski was once a cult favourite, but in recent times her audience has grown exponentially, helped by the critical praise heaped on her fourth album, 2016's Puberty 2. Two years on, Be The Cowboy arrives amongst a blizzard of publicity and many more positive reviews. It's certainly a hugely impressive set, with each of the 14 songs dealing with romantic and interpersonal relationships in some way. There's much heartache, of course, expressed both lyrically and in Mitski's distinctive, emotion-rich vocal delivery. Musically, the album never sits still, either, darting between grandiose slabs of poignant moodiness and the kind of jaunty, disco-tinged goodtime grooves that belie their melancholic inspirations.