The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We: Delving into Mitski’s Psyche
Written by Amani Rizwan
Thumbnail & Photo Image by: Dead Oceans
Mitski is one of the most acclaimed and influential indie rock artists of the 21st century. Her music has always been candid, emotional, and complex, exploring themes of identity, alienation, love, and pain. Her seventh album, The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We, released on September 14, 2023, is no exception. It is, yet another, stunning work of art that showcases Mitski’s incredibly poetic songwriting skills, her unique voice, and her musical versatility. The album is a departure from her previous synth-pop sound that dominated Laurel Hell, her 2022 comeback album after contemplating retirement. Instead, Mitski now opts for a more organic and orchestral approach, blending elements of country, folk, rock, and classical music. The result is a rich and diverse sonic landscape that matches her lyrics' vivid imagery and storytelling.
The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We is a concept album that revolves around the idea of loneliness in different settings and situations. Mitski draws inspiration from American history, mythology, and folklore, as well as her own personal experiences; she creates characters and scenarios that reflect her feelings of isolation, longing, and self-doubt.
The album opens with “Bug Like an Angel,” a haunting song that sets the tone for the rest of the record. Mitski sings from the perspective of a lonely woman, fallen from grace, who finds solace in drinking whiskey until it “feels like family.” She is accompanied by a sparse acoustic guitar and a powerful choir that echoes her words. The song ends with a chilling line: “I try to remember the wrath of the devil / “Was also given him by God.” This is a clear exhibition of what I like to call ‘Mitski magic,’ seeing as this could be taken in two ways. The first would mean that the protagonist is telling themselves repeatedly that this ‘wrath of the devil’ they feel they are experiencing was also passed by God and is something that has meaning and that can be learned from. The other would suggest that there is no point in begging for help, and the protagonist deserves to suffer.
The album then takes us on a journey through various places and times, from the Wild West to the modern city. “Buffalo Replaced” is such an example where Mitski expertly navigates listeners through her Kafka-esque analysis of leaving the temptation of the city and, hence, the music industry for a quiet life in the country. The next track, “Heaven,” also clings to the countryside, but this time, it’s an ode to a lover; Mitski uses stunning imagery of nature (“Now I bend like a willow/Thinkin' of you”) to showcase her connection to her lover. Along this journey, we meet characters haunted by their pasts, choices, or circumstances. Some of them are desperate for love (“I’m Your Man”), some of them are resigned to their fate (“The Frost”, “Star”), and some of them are hopeful for a better future (“My Love Mine all Mine”, “I Love Me After You”). There is a singular theme that encapsulates Mitski’s entire record – Love. It quietly weaves its way around even the most melancholy tracks on the album. However, the most popular track on the record, “My Love Mine All Mine,” is unabashedly romantic. Ever so graciously, Mitski entrusts the moon with all the love she has for her partner in hopes that her affections will linger on long after she’s gone. “Moon, tell me if I could / Send up my heart to you?” she asks. It’s a captivating track, the kind that makes you want to close your eyes and ascend to another dimension.
Photo by Dead Oceans
Mitski’s voice is the common thread that connects these songs. She sings with passion, vulnerability, and nuance, conveying a range of emotions and moods within a span of 32 minutes. She can be gentle and tender, fierce and defiant (“I Don’t Like My Mind”), or sorrowful and resigned (“Star”). The album closes with “I Love Me After You”, a beautiful and hopeful song that contrasts with the rest of the record. Mitski sings about finding joy in watching oneself become someone new and evolve a little bit each day. “Let the darkness see me/Streets are mine, the night is mine/All my own”— Mitski is taking on the world, one day at a time, all on her own.
It’s no secret – The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We is a masterpiece of loneliness and self-reflection. It’s a musical journey that takes us from the past to the present, from the rural to the urban, from the personal to the universal. This album is a testament to Mitski’s artistic vision and talent, as well as her courage and honesty. Above all, it’s a reminder that Mitski is a force to be reckoned with in today’s music industry; she’s a lone, shining star whose brilliance outshines the many dull constellations around her.