The door creaks open as Mitski beckons fans to bask in the unsettling whimsy of her record Nothing's About to Happen to Me. The signature Mitski touch comes through in the layered songwriting that positions the album as an emotionally collection of songs complete with lush production span a vast range of genre.
Radiating the same depth that comes through in the lyrics, the album's visuals have also played a part in bringing the story of the album to life, evolving to become an all-consuming sonic journey. Along those lines is the heart of the album, 'If I Leave'. Mitski effortlessly captures the organised chaos with the track's subtle sense of unease that lingers just beneath the surface, presenting an illusion of control and restraint before it explodes. As the searing rock notes spill over the edge, causing a mess of emotion and havoc, it captures the exact moment where the elaborate act of keeping things under the surface falls through, revealing the true overwhelming nature of the situation as everything comes crumbling down.
The lyrics tell the story of desperation, much like the bossa nova-infused track 'I'll Change For You', which also claims a spot on the record's tracklist. However, 'If I Leave' comes off as a more visceral and raw expression of the feeling with lyrics that say, "I couldn't lose you how could I losе you? I couldn't lose you, for if I lost it, somebody else will cheer you, but who else could love me, quite as kindly as you?". The track captures the power of love as it evolves into primal sense of obsession as the person who feels like the right fit for you rips apart the tapestry of perfection that was meticulously crafted with threads of fond memories and quiet moments.
Directed by Jared Hogan, the music video feels like a string of scenes straight out of a psychological horror film as we observe Mitski from the walls of the Tansy House. We stay bystanders as we watch her be tormented by ghosts and apparitions that assume the forms of clowns, child spirits and menacing black shadows that hide away in the darkest corners of the house. We uncover secrets, skeletons in the closet and bodies buried in the back of rooms. Each scene keeps fans on the edge of their seat as they blend perfectly with the looming soundtrack of 'If I Leave'.
With 'If I Leave' taking its place among the stunning tracklist featuring pre-album singles 'Where's My Phone' and 'I'll Change For You', the album is shaping up to be a dark interpretation of love's chameleon-like ability to turn into something truly sinister and overpowering. Mitski will tour Nothing’s About to Happen to Me worldwide, with residencies at The Shed in New York City, Hollywood High in Los Angeles and Sydney Opera House, plus stops in major cities including Manila, Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Tickets are now on sale, with many dates already sold out.
The door to the Tansy House is finally open and we're all invited to take a step inside.
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