The Latest From Mitski is Encouraging

Photo of Mitski

Mitski

I've watched the music video for Mitski's new song "Geyser" like five times now. It's only been out two weeks as of this writing, so that's a lot, given the modern music landscape.

Photo of Mitski

Mitski

Back in the day, you could see a super popular music video on MTV five times in an afternoon, but this is now, not then. There aren't a lot of music videos I've seen five times, full stop, let alone in such a short period of time. It's not because I love "Geyser," though. I'm just trying to figure out how I feel about it

I loved Mitski's Bury Me at Makeout Creek. It was great. I named it one of my best albums of the year. I actually reached out for her to do an interview based on my affinity for it, which is rare for me because I don't like doing interviews because transcribing them is a slog (she politely declined because she was too busy). Then, she released Puberty 2 in 2016. It took Mitski to a new level. She was on Stephen Colbert's show. Alas, it kind of left me cold. I loved "Your Best American Girl" like everybody else, but it was a middling album altogether.

I like the video, that much I am sure of. It's quite cinematic and evocative. Mitski is an artsy lady. As for the song…I think I like it?

So when I heard that Mitski has a new album, Be the Cowboy, coming out in August, I was mutedly enthused. "Geyser" is the first song I've heard from the new album. I like the video, that much I am sure of. It's quite cinematic and evocative. Mitski is an artsy lady. As for the song…I think I like it? I think it's good, but not great. That seems fair. It starts off quiet and contemplative, and then it kicks it up a few different gears as the drums and some other instruments kick in and Mitski's voices rises to meet it. Oddly, I like it better before the crescendo. The grand finale doesn't feel all that grand. It's fine, but that's some real faint praise damnation. Nevertheless, "Geyser" has gotten me interested in Be the Cowboy, so mission accomplished.