Mitski’s The Land Is Inhospitable, and So Are We Remains a Powerful Listening Experience

With the two-year anniversary of The Land Is Inhospitable, and So Are We and the announcement of an upcoming concert film, fans have once again turned their attention to indie/alternative singer-songwriter Mitski’s seventh studio album. The renewed discussion is well deserved. The Land stands as one of Mitski’s strongest projects to date, highlighting both her artistic growth and her ability to craft deeply human music.

One of the album’s greatest strengths is its production and instrumentation. Sonically rooted in indie folk and country influences, the record avoids being confined to a single genre by weaving in elements of orchestral music, Americana, and rock. The result is a soundscape that feels both expansive and intimate.

Credit: Ebru Yildiz “The Land is Inhospitable And So Are We” photoshoot

The album features traditional instruments such as guitars, piano, and drums alongside orchestral additions like violins, cellos, bass, and French horns. According to Mitski’s record label, Dead Oceans, the project incorporated a full orchestra arranged and conducted by Drew Erickson, as well as a 17-person choir. Recording with a live band further enhances the album’s warm, raw quality and evokes imagery of the American West and its natural beauty.

Equally compelling is Mitski’s masterful songwriting. Throughout the album, she balances poetic lyricism with complex metaphors and emotionally charged storytelling. Even tracks with more straightforward lyrics, such as “I Don’t Like My Mind” and “My Love Mine All Mine,” are filled with vulnerability and intensity.

Music journalist Cat Zhang of Pitchfork describes the songs as “surreal, existential, and fascinating,” noting how Mitski explores the human condition while reflecting on identity, love, and self-perception. These themes anchor the album, giving listeners both something to feel and something to contemplate.

Among the standout tracks is “The Deal,” the album’s fifth song. Thematically, it explores the longing to surrender oneself for the sake of relief or connection. Mitski’s lyrics suggest a willingness to accept consequences if it means escaping emotional burden. Instrumentally, the song builds from gentle strings into a swelling outro where the drums intensify and nearly overwhelm her voice, creating an effect that mirrors emotional release.

Ultimately, The Land Is Inhospitable, and So Are We showcases Mitski at her creative peak. By blending natural, folk-inspired production with raw and thoughtful songwriting, she delivers an album that resonates just as strongly today as it did upon its release. As her audience looks ahead, there is growing anticipation for where Mitski will take her artistry next.

References

Zhang, Cat. “Mitski: The Land Is Inhospitable, and So Are We.” Pitchfork. 

Dead Oceans. “The Land Is Inhospitable, and So Are We.” Official record release information.