"The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We" - Mitski Album Review

“The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We” Mitski Album Review

Mitski blessed us again with a phenomenal and meaningful album. The album “The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We” was released on Sept. 15, 2023 and has been playing non-stop. Mitski announced her new album in July and fans have been patiently waiting for some of her best work yet.

“The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We” is Mitski’s seventh album. Her first album was titled “Lush” and was released in 2012, and since then Mitski has been an unstoppable force. Mitski’s fifth album “Be The Cowboy,” which was released in 2018, is what truly skyrocketed Mitski’s impressive career, and was even nominated for a Grammy for Best Recording Package.

The album had three singles: “Bug Like An Angel,” “Star” and “Heaven.” These three songs absolutely encapsulated the vibe and message of this album. Mitski really went a more mellow and calm route with this album, allowing room to breathe and relax.

Mitski’s music is described as a volatile version of indie rock, writing about broken romances and anxiety. Mitski personally describes her music as a place where listeners can air out their feelings and ugliness that isn’t placed in real life. Overall, fans have a deep and personal relationship with Mitski and this new album strengthens that bond.

Mitski is a poet at her core, and this album has something inspirational and special about it. Listening to the album straight down feels like a deep personal story, and the lyrics have a deeper whimsical meaning than anticipated. Nothing about this album is surface level or superficial, every song is intimate and entrancing.

The album opens with the single “Bug Like An Angel,” and this song paints a mellow and beautiful aroma. Following this song is “Buffalo Replaced,” which is soothing and meaningful. It is already clear in this introduction to the album that Mitski is providing peaceful music for her audience.

During the album Mitski is seen playing around with artistic variability, in songs such as “The Deal” and “The Frost.” These songs hold more power than the more mellow songs from this album. It almost feels as if these songs are resparking the listening and reigniting the excitement of the new album.

A fan favorite has widely been “My Love Mine All Mine,” as it truly is the most romantic on the entire album. It could also be argued that this is Mitski’s most romantic song, falling in the same category as “Me and My Husband” from the “Be The Cowboy” album.

The most encapsulating song on the entire album is “When Memories Snow,” as it is intriguing in a different way than Mitski has ever gone before. This song almost feels like it should be in an A24 film or an emotional horror movie. Mitski is absolutely branching out in this album, and she has impressed and astonished many.

Overall, “The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We” is 32 minutes of pure bliss and mellow vibes that Mitski fans deserve. Mitski’s past work has always been hard hitting in some form, so this album is a breath of healing air that the audience needed.

Rating: 7/10 stars

Reviewers favorite songs: “The Deal,” “The Frost,” “Star,” “When Memories Snow”

Reviews least favorite songs: “Buffalo Replaced”

Grace Bowman is a third-year majoring in biology and minoring in psychological sciences. To contact her, email gab5585@psu.edu