Introduction to Mitski
Mitski Miyawaki is an indie singer-songwriter who has developed a cult following for her deeply personal lyrics and unique musical style. Born in Japan but raised in many countries, Mitski’s diverse cultural experiences shine through in her genre-bending music. Her songs blend indie rock, pop, and folk influences into a signature dreamy yet melancholic sound.
Though relatively unknown early in her career, Mitski’s fame grew exponentially after the release of her 2014 album Bury Me at Makeout Creek. Her confessional songwriting on themes of loneliness, heartbreak, and longing resonated strongly with fans. She further cemented her status as an indie darling with acclaimed follow-ups like Puberty 2 and Be the Cowboy, which explored her complex identity and relationships.
Critics consistently praise Mitski’s raw emotional vulnerability in her lyrics, as well as her ability to craft catchy melodies. Songs like "Your Best American Girl" and "Nobody" showcase her talent for writing pop hooks that stay with you long after the song ends. Despite her shy off-stage personality, Mitski’s passionate performances have garnered her a reputation as a must-see live act.
Though she rejects labels, Mitski has emerged as an important voice for marginalized groups. Her songs explore the nuances of being an Asian-American woman and grappling with depression amidst societal pressures. As Mitski continues to refine her musical vision, her fanbase only grows more devoted. She represents a new generation of indie artists connecting with listeners in a genuine way.
Mitski’s Complete Discography
Mitski has released 6 studio albums, 3 EPs, and 1 live album over the course of her career so far. Here is a chronological list of her discography:
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Lush (2012) – Mitski’s debut studio album released in 2012. It has a raw, lo-fi indie rock sound with emotional lyrics.
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Retired from Sad, New Career in Business (2013) – Her second studio album which showed an evolution in her more polished indie rock sound.
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Bury Me at Makeout Creek (2014) – Considered her breakout album, this confessional indie release put Mitski on the map.
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Puberty 2 (2016) – This critically acclaimed album explored themes of adolescence and young adulthood with great depth.
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Be the Cowboy (2018) – Mitski’s most commercially successful album to date, where her artistic vision was fully realized.
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Laurel Hell (2022) – Her latest studio album release which incorporates 80s pop influences and themes of personal transformation.
Mitski has also released 3 EPs:
- Townie (2014)
- Alter (2015)
- Laundry Room (2018)
She released a live album called Live at Third Man Records in 2022 featuring performances from her 2018 tour.
Album Rankings and Reviews
Mitski’s albums can be ranked in terms of cohesion, lyrical depth, musical innovation, and overall enjoyability. Here is my personal ranking from least to most favorite:
Lush (2012)
Mitski’s debut album Lush showcases her raw talent, but lacks the polish and emotional range of later releases. Her guitar work and vocals are impressive for a first effort, with tracks like "Liquid Smooth" highlighting clever wordplay. However, the lo-fi production and repetitive chord structures make Lush less dynamic. Still, it’s an intriguing introduction to Mitski’s confessional songwriting.
Retired from Sad, New Career in Business (2013)
With her sophomore album, Mitski makes huge strides in expanding her sound. The production value is cleaner, with more varied instrumentation like strings and keyboards on songs like "First Love/Late Spring." Her lyrics delve deeper into themes of loneliness and identity. However, the album feels less cohesive than later works, veering from frenzied punk tracks to moody ballads. It shows Mitski’s talent continuing to blossom.
Bury Me at Makeout Creek (2014)
Mitski’s breakout third album features some of her most vivid lyrics set to dynamic indie rock arrangements. She paints evocative character studies on songs like "Francis Forever" and "Townie," her vocals brimming with raw emotion. Upbeat tracks like "Texas Reznikoff" balance out downbeat portraits of alienation. The album rewards repeat listens with clever lines and hidden depths. However, the production still feels a bit muddy in parts.
Puberty 2 (2016)
With Puberty 2, Mitski crafts a tight, polished indie masterpiece. Her songwriting brilliantly explores the angst of young adulthood through clever metaphors and heartfelt confessionals. From the fist-pumping defiance of "Your Best American Girl" to the swirling heartache of "Happy," Mitski’s lyrical gifts shine. The lusher production provides the perfect backdrop for her narratives. Puberty 2 cements Mitski’s arrival as an indie star.
Be the Cowboy (2018)
Mitski’s most commercially successful album also represents her artistic vision fully realized. Be the Cowboy subverts traditional song structures to create intimate emotional vignettes. Mitski’s vocal delivery drips with nuance and intensity as she inhabits complex personas. The synth-pop sheen of tracks like "Nobody" and "Washing Machine Heart" showcase her technical growth as a producer. Be the Cowboy finds Mitski at the peak of her powers.
Let me know if you would like me to expand on any album in more detail or modify the rankings!
Standout Tracks and Deep Cuts
Mitski has several hugely popular mainstream hits that have resonated strongly with listeners. Songs like "Nobody" and "Your Best American Girl" from her album Puberty 2 have become indie rock anthems. "Nobody" went viral on TikTok in 2022, exposing Mitski’s music to a massive new audience. Other top hits include "First Love/Late Spring" and "I Bet on Losing Dogs" from Be the Cowboy.
In an interview with Pitchfork, Mitski discussed the surprising popularity of "Nobody":
"I wrote ‘Nobody’ in this very frustrated, sad state. I definitely wasn’t imagining scores of people singing it to each other."
When it comes to deep cuts, Mitski has plenty of underrated gems on each of her albums that are fan favorites. From her debut Lush, songs like "I Don’t Smoke" showcase her raw talent and deeply confessional lyrics. On Bury Me at Makeout Creek, tracks like "Last Words of a Shooting Star" and "I Will" are often cited by fans as some of her most emotionally resonant.
The album Puberty 2 has hidden standouts like "Crack Baby" and "My Body’s Made of Crushed Little Stars" that showcase Mitski’s ability to express complex feelings through vivid lyrics. Even on her most recent album Laurel Hell, songs like "There’s Nothing Left For You" contain the same vulnerability that has made Mitski a cult favorite among indie fans. She is able to craft beautiful melodies around evocative lyrics, even on non-single tracks.
Mitski’s Musical Evolution Over Time
Mitski’s musical evolution from her early albums to her most recent work demonstrates significant growth as an artist. Her early albums like Lush and Retired from Sad, New Career in Business featured a raw indie rock sound with a lo-fi aesthetic. The songwriting on these albums, while emotional and confessional, did not yet showcase the nuanced lyricism Mitski would later develop.
With the release of Bury Me at Makeout Creek in 2014, Mitski’s music took on a more polished indie pop direction, hinting at the refined art pop sound she would eventually embrace. As a lyricist, she delved deeper into themes of loneliness, heartache, and existential longing. The candid expression of adolescent angst on this album and its follow-up Puberty 2 demonstrated her increasing confidence in songwriting.
By the time Mitski released Be the Cowboy in 2018, her artistic vision was fully realized. With lush production and arrangements, she had crafted a distinctive art pop universe. Mitski approached lyric writing like a novelist, infusing her songs with evocative imagery and character studies. Her fame grew exponentially, with sold-out tours and major festival bookings.
This increasing recognition empowered Mitski to make bolder creative choices. On her 2022 album Laurel Hell, she channeled 80s pop influences while retaining her introspective lyricism. With each release, Mitski asserts more confidence and control over her craft. Though her sound has evolved dramatically since her early work, her singular emotional authenticity remains.
Where to Buy Mitski’s Music
Mitski makes it easy for new and existing fans to get access to her music. Here are some of the best places to purchase, stream, and collect her albums and merchandise:
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Mitski’s Official Website – Mitski’s official website (mitski.com) contains links to her webstore where you can buy exclusive merchandise like t-shirts, hoodies, posters, and other unique items. Purchasing directly from her site is the best way to support the artist.
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iTunes – The iTunes music store has Mitski’s full discography available for purchase and download. You can buy individual songs or whole albums. iTunes also offers deluxe editions with bonus tracks for some records.
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Amazon Music – In addition to physical CDs and vinyl records, Amazon Music also lets you buy MP3 versions of Mitski’s albums to download, or stream her music through Amazon Prime and Amazon Music Unlimited.
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Spotify – Mitski’s music can be streamed via Spotify, both through the free ad-supported tier or the Spotify Premium subscription. Her songs are included in many popular playlists on Spotify.
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Apple Music – Along with streaming, Apple Music has a music store where you can purchase and download Mitski’s discography. Her albums are also available to stream for Apple Music subscribers.
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YouTube Music – In addition to her official music videos, you can stream full albums, singles, and live performances on Mitski’s YouTube Music channel.
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Vinyl Records – Special vinyl editions of Mitski’s albums are sold through her website and retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. These collectible records often include unique cover art and photographs.
So whether you want to stream Mitski’s music online, purchase digital downloads, or get limited edition physical media, you have plenty of options to choose from as a fan.
Conclusion
Mitski’s discography over the past decade showcases her immense talent and unique artistry. Starting with her raw, lo-fi indie rock on early albums like Lush and Bury Me at Makeout Creek, she has evolved into one of indie music’s most acclaimed artists. Her recent albums like Be The Cowboy and Laurel Hell reveal the full realization of her musical vision and songwriting abilities.
Throughout her career, Mitski has connected deeply with fans through her confessional lyrics exploring complex emotions. She has an uncanny knack for distilling universal feelings of longing, heartache, and angst into cathartic pop songs. Even as her fame has grown, Mitski maintains her singular artistic perspective, pouring her sincerity into each new release.
For those just discovering Mitski, her more mainstream hits are a great entry point. But her full discography contains many underappreciated gems waiting to be uncovered. Listeners shouldn’t limit themselves to only her most popular tracks. Each album offers surprises and insights into her continual growth. There is much to appreciate in both her earlier raw indie rock origins and her current art pop sophistication.
With her talent and relentless creative spirit, Mitski’s future holds great promise. Her musical evolution thus far has been incredible to witness. One can only eagerly anticipate what she will craft next as she enters the newest era of her career. Mitski’s story as an artist has really just begun.