With Laurel Hell, the quirky Mitski follows up her acclaimed album
Be The Cowboy (2018). From the beautiful opening track Valentine, Texas, you are immersed as a listener in the world of this indie darling. Funny enough, despite her success, Mitski seems to question life as an artist. The pressures and sacrifices she has to make for this are tough and she incorporates this into the lyrics. Although
… the album has a danceable character, Laurel Hell also contains a dark undertone. The swaying synths and upbeat guitar riffs are at odds with Mitskis introspective lyrics, creating a nice contrast. Songs like Working For The Kinfe and The Only Heartbreaker showcase a fearless Mitski who is not afraid to show her vulnerability. Once again, the artist manages to create a special layering in half an hour, that after the last song only makes you crave for more. (JvQ)more
