Mitski is easily one of the best songwriters in the game right now. With iconic songs that blew up on TikTok to underrated hits, true fans know she is a force to be reckoned with.
Her music is the longing and reality of love and relationships, the grief that comes with life and the loneliness she experiences outside of these relationships.
“Nothing’s About to Happen to Me” is the eighth album in a sober collection of heartfelt tunes and relatable themes. Set in an old, isolated house, it focuses on the aspect of loneliness and delusion.
It is a trip at times, with vocals and instruments providing drops at points one may not expect. The lyrics discuss this feeling in the way of a storyteller drunk on their own words.
This album has similar sounds to previous songs by Mitski, showcasing her growth as an artist and ability to adapt to the ever changing world of music while still staying true to the sound fans have loved for years.
With hints to older albums such as “Bury Me At Makeout Creek” and “Lush”, longtime fans can appreciate the new tracks and the way they handle this ever present pressure to be as good as the songs predating them.
Opening with the track “In a Lake”, we are thrust into the house of the album, a key setting in the album. This house is where the album takes place for a majority of the songs, and is described as old and run down, with stray animals overtaking its walls.
Mitski sings of being a city girl, not a small town inhabitant. The drop near the end of the song is unexpected but appreciated nonetheless. It discusses the idea of being stuck in place, not being able to find freedom.
However, “In a lake, you can backstroke forever” feeds the idea that there can be change if you’re willing to put the energy into it.
“Cats” was my personal favorite of the album. This song reminds me of vocals from “Be the Cowboy” and presents a smooth sound that is intriguing when analyzing the lyrics.
“If I Leave” is another great hit, with a drop near the end that is satisfying. The lyrics in this song open listeners to the idea of loss, and feeling unlovable to anyone else but one’s partner.
Being drunk in a bar and enjoying the feeling of bittersweet loneliness, “I’ll Change For You” is a piece that sticks out on the album for sure.
Discussing the feelings of letting love die, and coping through drinking, provides listeners with the idea that they themselves are in a bar, trying to call an ex-lover to recover the love that once was.
There seems to be a hint of country twang in some songs, such as “Rules” and “Charon’s Obol,” due to the instruments used. Listeners hear fiddles, banjos, and guitar melodies across the album, and it sticks out the most when considering the style of Mitski prior to this album.
The closing song, “Lightning,” is a beautiful way to kick off the end of the album. Guitar soothes the ears of listeners, and the vocals of Mitski blend in a bittersweet fashion. The lyrics are longing, the feelings of love lost. It questions the longevity of love and whether it truly lasts to death.
Her sound in this album will be a winner amongst fans who enjoyed her previous work, “The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We,” as it rings true to the themes of sound.
If you weren’t a big fan of that album, “Nothing’s About to Happen to Me” could be hit or miss. However, I found the sound intriguing and easily gave it an 8/10 score after listening.
I will continue to tune in to new albums by Mitski, always feeling satisfied by the work she produces. Her future projects are definitely worth looking out for, and her previous works are to be admired and upheld to the level they truly deserve.
