Be the Cowboy
by Mitski
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 210 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 188 out of 210
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 210
  3. Negative: 14 out of 210
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  1. sammyanthony
    Oct 13, 2018
    9
    In first listen, Mitski's singing is a mix of Imogen Heap, Dido, Bjork, and Lana Del Rey; with her own unique voice too. Be the Cowboy became a really satisfying love stories package, comprises of some power bangers and low-key ballads. Very emotional.
  2. sansanoski
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Wonderful album. Synchronic, well elaborated, smooth and shocking. Mitski did a beautiful job on it. His only mistake is to be too short.
  3. gustavolsb
    Jan 18, 2019
    10
    This is a formidable record: all tracks are composed in such an outspoken way, and despite of their length, they fill all of the void of Mitski's emotions and complexities.
  4. Solid_Snack
    Aug 19, 2018
    9
    That voice and charisma, utterly charming .
  5. ScarTissue1990
    Oct 6, 2018
    10
    "And I've turned down every hand that has beckoned me to come." Mitski's Be the Cowboy is a treasure in so many ways for me. Vocally, Mitski is the equivalent of receiving a warm hug from an "Old Friend." As a lyric fiend, I believe Mitski to be one of the most excellent and important singer-songwriters of this generation. This album being a chestnut of Mitski's greatest thus far.
  6. maydaysizzy
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    So raw and unpolished yet so sad and meaningful. A really great album. Possibly AOTY
  7. RomanVendy
    Jun 14, 2019
    10
    если прошлые работы мицки были более тинейджерскими и из-за того более "сырыми" и как будто записанными в подвале, данная работа отличается наиболее выраженной авторской чувственностью и неустойчивой объективностью с прямыми синти-референсами к 80-ым.если прошлые работы мицки были более тинейджерскими и из-за того более "сырыми" и как будто записанными в подвале, данная работа отличается наиболее выраженной авторской чувственностью и неустойчивой объективностью с прямыми синти-референсами к 80-ым.
  8. hellokittypie
    Sep 3, 2020
    10
    Mitski delivered us a perfect job in every way! She manages to convey her purest feelings through every second of melody on this incredible record! The exceptionality of each song, however short, manages to transpose everything that Mitski wants.
  9. aleppo
    Aug 17, 2018
    9
    I swear Mitski's music is the soundtrack to my non-existent love life. Be the Cowboy, the singer-songwriter's most musically diverse project to date, further solidifies Miyawaki's status as a poet laureate of the contemporary music world. She has mastered the art of taking complex, intensely personal emotions and imbuing them with a universality of experience unparalleled by today'sI swear Mitski's music is the soundtrack to my non-existent love life. Be the Cowboy, the singer-songwriter's most musically diverse project to date, further solidifies Miyawaki's status as a poet laureate of the contemporary music world. She has mastered the art of taking complex, intensely personal emotions and imbuing them with a universality of experience unparalleled by today's artists. She's firing on all cylinders on this record, one of 2018's best. Bravo, Mitski.

    Highlights include 'Geyser,' 'Washing Machine Heart,' and 'Two Slow Dancers'.    … Expand
  10. mathesu
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    filling this space just to say the only word that comes close to describe mitski: iconic.
  11. httml
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    Everything about this album excels, from the perfect guitar to more of her heartwrenching lyrics.
  12. mulhollandrive
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    the power that this has, the intelligence that this has, the clearance that this has, the impact that this has, the access that this has, the influence that this has, the profile that this has, the international implications that this has
  13. u137288reddit
    Sep 11, 2018
    7
    Unfortunately, the songs should all be longer- 2 and a half minutes is not a satisfying listen for most of these tunes. otherwise it's great.
  14. marcmyworks
    Nov 19, 2018
    9
    Be the Cowboy is literally the album about my love-life. No joke. I feel so connected to every song that it is almost scary. Overall this could be my favourite album of the year. Listen to: Nobody, Why Didn’t You Stop Me, Geyser, Pink in the Night.
  15. Seagulls
    Jun 18, 2019
    10
    Fantastic album, every song just brilliant. You will humming some of the catchy tunes for a while after listing to this!
  16. lulabymusic
    Nov 13, 2018
    9
    And it’s impossible not to fall in love with Mitsky! In each composition lives the soul, originality and professionalism.
    14 short but complex stories, melancholic, and sometimes even harsh, tinged with various emotions that will undoubtedly leave behind any impressions.
    ​
  17. GabrielDA
    Oct 26, 2021
    10
    Be The Cowboy is Mitski's best work so far, an amazing addition to an already great discography. 'Nobody', 'Why Didn't You Stop Me' and 'Me and My Husband" are highlights.
  18. larrie
    Feb 8, 2019
    10
    I mean, this album is insane!!! Mitski is a real genius and art pioneer! Never get tired of any track in this album.
  19. neighborhood
    Oct 16, 2018
    10
    As músicas são únicas, isso explica o porquê de serem breves. Não é preciso repetir refrão, valeu Mitski!
  20. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 24, 2021
    8
    Be the Cowboy shows that love and loss can be grand and small at the same time. That two minutes is more than enough time to melt down emotion into a pure concentrate and nearly drown yourself in it. That every moment can be a epic love story, that every heartbreak can be as hard and small as a pearl and just as coveted.
  21. DenefRobles
    Apr 3, 2021
    10
    No tengo palabras simplemente este album es increíble, es una obra maestra, cada letra cada acorde te llega a lo mas profundo del corazón.
  22. sguy157
    Jul 26, 2019
    7
    I'll be honest, this album took some time to grow on me, as I had some expectations about it before listening. But eventually, I came to appreciate it and thought that it was pretty solid. Around the end of 2018, I was a bit surprised to see this record very high up in most "best of 2018" lists, sometimes getting a perfect rating, and even earning the title "album of the year" from manyI'll be honest, this album took some time to grow on me, as I had some expectations about it before listening. But eventually, I came to appreciate it and thought that it was pretty solid. Around the end of 2018, I was a bit surprised to see this record very high up in most "best of 2018" lists, sometimes getting a perfect rating, and even earning the title "album of the year" from many music sites. So I thought that I might have missed something, and decided to revisit the record.

    While I still think that it's good, I still don't seem to enjoy the album to the extent that others do. Now, I'm not trying to be negative. I like Mitski and I'm super happy to see her do well! But I just think that there are things that hold this project back, the main culprit being the track lengths. At times, some songs seem like they could be really great, but their brevity results in them having little impact instead. Many songs seem to end abruptly, sometimes right when it feels like the music could be going somewhere interesting. It feels like running a race and you're making amazing time - but halfway through you just lose all of your energy and stop in your tracks. For me, one example of this is "Come Into the Water."

    But basically, that's my only complaint. I don't mean to seem too harsh, because I do think that this album is good! There a good amount of genuinely moving moments on here, especially the closing track "Two Slow Dancers." Truly deep, gorgeous, and filled to the brim with emotion. And "Nobody" is a great track too, very fun to jam out to. In addition, there are some cases where I think that the short track length works well, such as with "Geyser." That track flows very nicely!

    Overall, this is a good record, and is definitely worth a listen. It's not perfect, but maybe I'm still missing something. Let me know if I am! Either way, it shows an enormous amount of potential. If Mitski takes her ideas from this album and then really expands on them and fleshes them out, I think that she can come out with something absolutely amazing. Excited for what she puts out in the future!    … Expand
  23. hayley3000
    Oct 16, 2019
    10
    literatully genius! mitski gave us another album of the life! can't wait for M6
  24. gabrigold23
    Oct 15, 2020
    10
    Álbum perfeito manos, não tem erro, lonesome love muito perfeita, Blue light como interlude é tudo
  25. sleepy1
    Jan 10, 2020
    10
    I don't like to give just anything I like a perfect score, but this album truly deserves it. Incredible in every capacity, Mitski's music is clearly more than music to her, leaving a lasting, profound impression on the listener. This is art at its peak.
  26. heyheyhhhh
    Feb 8, 2020
    10
    she's a real goddess omg. this album is everything. can't wait for more music from her
  27. annapalma
    Oct 15, 2022
    9
    I'll just let it here okay I'm not wearing my usual lipstick
    I thought maybe we would kiss tonight
    Baby will you kiss me already and
    Toss your dirty shoes in my washing machine heart?
    Baby, bang it up inside
  28. Onionrings2
    Jun 10, 2022
    9
    Short and unique, synths sound like normal instruments instead of electronic instruments.
  29. martegk
    Mar 25, 2022
    10
    "Be the cowboy" é uma experiência fascinante, a cantora consegue misturar sentimentos de melancolia com uma música animada de forma incrível.
  30. oNewYorker
    Aug 31, 2022
    10
    A beautiful album, every song in it is a banger. At first listen it felt so sad, without meaning, but now I have fallen in love with her voice, and all her albums.
  31. carlos-kk
    Nov 20, 2022
    10
    Mitski is a genius of our time!! One of the best records I ever listened to.
  32. Mitski2012
    Sep 7, 2023
    10
    Bom, um álbum Indie rock da cantora e compositora Mitski Miyawaki laycoock que foi lançado em 17 de agosto de 2018 fala sobre diversos temas fortes e sentimentais.

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best Album of 2018
47
#47 Most Discussed Album of 2018
55
#55 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. The Quietus
    Aug 31, 2018
    80
    Mitski’s devotion to music has resulted in a tremendously earnest and endearing record.
    Read full review
  2. Spin
    Aug 28, 2018
    70
    Be the Cowboy largely dispenses with the distortion of Mitski’s guitar-oriented recent work, getting all the fuzz out with intro track “Geyser.” What’s left are short and thwarted pop songs. (Only two are longer than three minutes.)
    Read full review
  3. The New York Times
    Aug 22, 2018
    80
    Mitski’s songs about love are a tangle of mixed messages in precise, idiosyncratic packages. ... On this album, even more than she has before, Mitski makes the music her partner.
    Read full review
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