Mitski’s sixth album, “Laurel Hell,” is an indie-pop record that addresses her tumultuous relationship with her career. After returning from a hiatus of four years, she expresses her feelings about the negative aspects of creating and releasing music that forced her to take a break for fear of losing her passion for music. In 2022, she released “Laurel Hell” to convey this message to her audience.

“Working for the Knife:” This song takes a deep dive into the workings of childhood and the decisions we make that we can no longer change with which we have to live with forever. When we’re younger, we unknowingly make all these choices that shape the course of our future, and now that we’re grown, there’s a certain feeling of nostalgia that takes over knowing that the time to be reckless and careless with our choices is coming to an end. The allusions in the song point to how we grow up to enter the world of capitalism—or the working of the knife—which is the thing that is also killing you. This resonates deeply with me because as a senior, the end of my childhood is nearing, and the choices I have to make in the next couple of months could alter my future, and the pressure to make the right decision makes it that much harder. 

“Heat Lightning:” This song explores the feelings that come with insomnia and the struggles that come with mental illnesses. The blurring of floating objects, shifting colors, and transitions in the music video illustrate how insomnia impacts our mental cognition. She starts by suggesting that those who are consumed with intrusive late-night thoughts struggle to differentiate time and how it takes a mental toll. She goes on to emphasize how it takes over her life, and there is nothing she can do. It picks up in the second half with the personification of the world by describing that a storm is coming and there is no way of stopping. There is nothing left to do but succumb and surrender to the feelings despite the dangers of her intrusive thoughts. I can relate because when I struggle with anxiety, it gets to a point where it seems impossible to fix it, and there is nothing I can do but surrender to it and let it become a part of me.

“The Only Heartbreaker:” With her use of traditional drums and guitar, Mitski creates a beautiful melody to illustrate a person who always messes up in the relationship who is also designated as the “Bad Guy” that gets all the blame. Heartbreakers are seen as bad people through the perspective of many, but Mitski approaches a different dynamic in which the Heartbreaker instead has something sadder hidden underneath the surface. The reason you’re making so many mistakes is that you’re the only one trying. We are not perfect human beings that can go without making mistakes, and so by embracing that, it does not necessarily mean you are the Bad Guy. When challenged with something unfamiliar, the only way to learn is to make mistakes and grow. This applies to so many other situations such as friendships, parental relationships, and just with any connections we make with other humans. 

“Love Me More:” Understandable by all, “Love Me More” traverses themes of isolation that have grown with the introduction of the pandemic. While this was written before the COVID-19 pandemic, Mitski explained that she left it in the album as it became more relevant during the pandemic. It depicts how she was able to carve out time to become a new version of herself and avoid repeating the same mistakes she made without the scrutiny of others. But while she works on herself, she realizes how lonely it is while being stuck at home. As time went on, feelings of emptiness persisted as she felt desperate to feel some love and belonging. It goes on to describe the mundane feeling of being in the pandemic as the days blur and every day is the same routine that makes her question if life is worth living. This hits close to home because every emotion portrayed in this song was felt during the pandemic and the loneliness felt was something I hope to never feel again. 

“I Guess:” Mitski reflects on her relationship and how it’s coming to end, but instead of being frustrated, she is grateful because it has allowed her to move on and do some introspection about herself. She expresses how if you’ve been with a person long enough, they become a part of you. Without them, you are lost and have to figure out who you are when you are not with them. It’s a melancholy feeling, but there’s gratitude for the relationship and self-reflection that occurs in the end. Sometimes it takes being apart from someone to discover who you are and identify your abilities and gain a deeper understanding of yourself. There is nothing wrong with taking time for ourselves if we feel that we’re losing parts of ourselves in relationships, friendships, etc. Positive growth is always encouraged and beneficial. She ends the song by repeating “thank you” for the growth her relationship has allowed her to have. It may also be a thank you to her fans for their support and that she is immensely appreciative of them.