The last Mitski album I reviewed was 2018’s ‘Be the Cowboy’ which was a dark and intriguing look into the psyche of an emerging young artist. I saw her at a festival in 2019, playing low down on the bill, unknown by most of the crowd, partly performing hiding under a table. Even if some of the performance was inexplicably odd you could tell then she had the guts and gravitas to become a star. 

Since then she’s gone stratospheric, with viral success during the pandemic, an actual chart hit and a younger generation of fans embracing her music to the point of extremes.  For a while it felt strange and uncomfortable being an older Mitski fan since her crowd had skewed so young. 

This new album was recorded with the intention of going back to her indie rock basics, after three albums of gothic synth pop. In the end the songs dictated the music and she did bring in some more orchestral arrangements, some Americana sounding flourishes and weirder elements too.  

‘Nothing’s About to Happen to Me’ is centred around the story of a woman living alone, dealing with the recent break-up of a long term relationship, inspired by Grey Gardens, Shirley Jackson, cats and Victorian houses.