Laurel Hell
by Mitski
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 84 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 84
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 84
  3. Negative: 0 out of 84
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. ReubenIsAGod
    Feb 4, 2022
    7
    I liked this, I think maybe it come out at a rather bad time being mildly overshadowed by Bc, Nr new album. But other than this, again! We have another solid release from Mitski. Not her best, but hey, technically this is a good record. Maybe a little underwhelming comparatively to her over work.
  2. Menios
    Feb 4, 2022
    8
    "Laurel Hell" is probably one of her most ambitious albums, as it seeks to portray the torment of its author in an often very mechanical atmosphere.
  3. seangerrish13
    Feb 4, 2022
    10
    Another perfect album from Mitski! One of the greatest songwriters out there today ❤️
  4. AdairSwT
    Feb 5, 2022
    9
    Ame el album, Mitski no puede hacer algo malo, aunque tiene sonidos más movidos y synth-pop no pierde la escencia de mitski y sus letras melancólicas y sonidos indie, tanto liricamente como en producción es increíble y una vez más Mitski nos demostró su talento y versatilidad, totalmente lo recomiendo si te gustan estos generos.
  5. All_ButTrU4
    Feb 11, 2022
    5
    Mitski return was bound to be noticed right off her unexpected breakthrough into mainstream from her previous highlight "Be the Cowboy" but that success hasn't been easy. The attention has culminated in increased pressures and infamously cringe fans that helped set off the "sad girl mitski "meme to great appeal. But even so this hasn't intervened with her life given her unplugging andMitski return was bound to be noticed right off her unexpected breakthrough into mainstream from her previous highlight "Be the Cowboy" but that success hasn't been easy. The attention has culminated in increased pressures and infamously cringe fans that helped set off the "sad girl mitski "meme to great appeal. But even so this hasn't intervened with her life given her unplugging and almost retirement. "Laurel Hell" is named after bushes that grow in the southern Appalachians that are as impenetrable as they are beautiful. In her sixth full length release that laurel hell that won't release her is her art. Her compulsive desire to create music ,release it and finally perform. Fulfilling these obligations were double edged and each edge is addressed but done so most obviously on the lead single "working for the knife". Where joy and depression spill into each other to confusing results such as regret ,longing or transparency. Despite the depths these songs seek out the delivery rarely excites. This album feels too safe to me as if it was done with little thought which is ironic given the many iterations this record took. The greatest examples of unimpressive songs is most visible on the more slowburn songs such as the forgettable "everyone " which not only being a lyrical void doesn't justify it's trudge with the catharsis mitski had been known for. Or the opener "Valentine, Texas" which feels like an ill imitation of "geyser" grandiose display of tension & release. Even the 8th track "there's nothing left for you" attempts to inject what raised the bar for "be the cowboy" or "puberty 2" but feels so under done that it's as if it is a mitski imitation.

    The aforementioned isn't to say they aren't any good moment's. The 80's rock explosion that's "the only heartbreaker " delivers on all of mitski talents as does the lesser but still worthwhile "love me more" which makes obsession and attention seeking bedfellows. The lyrics also read as desperate and impassioned as the song sounds giving a noteworthy moment of truth. The closing last two songs are on a level with "only heartbreaker " and her 2018 darling. "I Guess" handles the weight of it's own disappointment with a nihilistic acceptance whilst "that's our lamp" is a sprawling nearly 3min marvel that has so many parts that coalesce wonderfully. Truly the best moment saved for last.

    Overall the album is not disappointing it just fails to provoke consistently. An uneven suggestively uninspired sigh that is still worth your time even if it won't see many year end lists. There's a conclusive element to it as if mitski was saying the last paragraph of a speech that summarizes all that was said before the last words as laurel hell has elements from across her discography (relying heavily on to be the cowboy and make out creek) it's worth giving a listen.    … Expand
  6. petrichor1975
    Apr 4, 2023
    8
    Mitski returned with a terrific and focused record that deals with her fame and perspective on power in relationships. I had highly anticipated this new release from Mitski, as I became a fan in 2019. The lead single, "Working for the Knife", was an interesting choice and might've turned off some new-found fans looking for another "Nobody" or "Washing Machine Heart", but I found Mitski'sMitski returned with a terrific and focused record that deals with her fame and perspective on power in relationships. I had highly anticipated this new release from Mitski, as I became a fan in 2019. The lead single, "Working for the Knife", was an interesting choice and might've turned off some new-found fans looking for another "Nobody" or "Washing Machine Heart", but I found Mitski's interesting choice for a single as strategic and it's a good song. Perhaps she put out this experimental and industrial-sounding single to throw off those wanting a more pop-oriented Mitski sound.

    Other highlights from the album are the groovy "Stay Soft", the pulsing "Love Me More", and the desperate "I Guess", which is my favorite song on the album. I would say that the songs from the record I don't really enjoy is "Heat Lightning" and "Everyone". They are good songs, but I feel that they plateau after a bit.

    Mitski further abandons the aggressiveness of her albums like Puberty 2 or Bury Me at Makeout Creek, and continues in a synth-driven direction. Undergoing a stylistic rebirth, Laurel Hell was one of the best releases of 2022.    … Expand
  7. ZiadAmin
    Feb 4, 2022
    10
    mitski can do no wrong, this is her most cinematic album to date, the blend of the signature melancholic mitski sound and the cinematic 80’s sound is perfectly achieved.
  8. osvxldo
    Feb 4, 2022
    10
    this album is amazing she never misses. just pure excellence. will definitely be on repeat
  9. samflrz
    Feb 4, 2022
    10
    She just never disappoints, working for the knife is truly a masterpiece just like heat lightningh, valentine texas is an explosion and the disco tracks have immaculate production, 100000/10
  10. Malts18
    Feb 4, 2022
    9
    Teetering between an 8 & 9. I love Mitski and there is enough gold here to keep you coming back for more. Working for the Knife, Heat Lightning, The Only Heartbreaker, Should've Been Me, and Stay Soft are all fantastic and Mitski has done a nice job building off of Be The Cowboy. Sign me up for a 9... one of my top albums of '22 so far.
  11. carlosk
    Feb 13, 2022
    10
    A masterpiece by Mitski. Most the songs are 10/10, definitely worth listening to it!
  12. ronanomalley13
    Mar 9, 2022
    10
    2022 is shaping out, and has the potential to be one of the greatest years in music history, and this album is one of the front-runners for that discussion. Mitski came onto the scene in 2014 with her release of "Bury me at Make out Creek", and in these 8 years since then has been slowly progressing her style of music trying to perfect it. And now she has. She took all of the positive2022 is shaping out, and has the potential to be one of the greatest years in music history, and this album is one of the front-runners for that discussion. Mitski came onto the scene in 2014 with her release of "Bury me at Make out Creek", and in these 8 years since then has been slowly progressing her style of music trying to perfect it. And now she has. She took all of the positive elements of her prior albums and used those to piece together this magnum opus of his discography. It's so great to see an artist as talented as mitski finally able to perfect her art form on this album. I genuinely could not think of any criticism for this album, she was able to touch every fluctuating emotion that she felt, and did it perfectly. I expected this album to have been overshadowed by BCNR's new album, but it was able to solidify its spot up there right next to another amazing piece of art coming from this year. I don't have any words to say for this album besides it was beautiful. It felt as if I was watching a movie of Mitski's breakthrough into the main stream, just a truly cinematic piece. If Mitski continues to put out music this good, she WILL go down in history of one of the greatest artists of our generation. I would absolutely recommend this album to any type of music fan, because this album was revolutionary for me. Mitski does not and will not disappoint.… Expand
  13. blue_phoenix
    Jun 22, 2022
    6
    it's good album, not many highlights tho and pretty weak compared to her other projects.
  14. mitskistan
    Feb 4, 2022
    10
    this album is incredible. mitskis vocals shine through beautifully with her stunning instrumentals, which is expected from a mitski album of course. she doesn’t disappoint once again and serves with bops!
  15. Joffreychvlr
    May 18, 2022
    6
    I have a lot of trouble getting into the album, it's not its best. I think the album is short and I don't have time to enjoy it more, something is missing.
  16. loxm
    Feb 6, 2022
    9
    Moving away from the intensity of the music industry was definitely the right call! Mitski is only getting better and better as she pays more attention to the art she wants to make. I have never wanted to buy a lamp more in my life.
  17. ourregiment
    Feb 21, 2022
    8
    I liked it, some weak points that are not bad, but i will skip it in the playlist.
    Next to this, im giving the score of every song in my personal score system.
    (0-1, score 1 be the perfect song for my ears, something that would never happen) 1. Valentine, Texas - 0.73265 (7.3) 2. Working for the Knife . 0.82357 (8.2) 3. Stay Soft - 0.73692 (7.4) 4. Everyone - 0.54728 (5.5) 5. Heat    I liked it, some weak points that are not bad, but i will skip it in the playlist.
    Next to this, im giving the score of every song in my personal score system.
    (0-1, score 1 be the perfect song for my ears, something that would never happen)

    1. Valentine, Texas - 0.73265 (7.3)
    2. Working for the Knife . 0.82357 (8.2)
    3. Stay Soft - 0.73692 (7.4)
    4. Everyone - 0.54728 (5.5)
    5. Heat lightning - 0.78891 (7.9)
    6. The only heartbreaker - 0.78257 (7.8)
    7. Love me more - 0.87782 (8.8)
    8. There's nothing left for you - 0.84379 (8.4)
    9. Should've been me - 0.82933 (8.3)
    10. I Guess - 0.61760 (6.2)
    11. That's our lamp - 0.66282 (6.6)

    Average - 0.74938 - (7.5)    … Expand
  18. After_peep08
    Feb 26, 2022
    7
    great album, favorite track is heat lightning, the single choices are perfect and the meaning beyond they are amazing
  19. frogcau
    Mar 19, 2022
    5
    another day another slay - mitski O álbum soa bem, as músicas parecem grudar na sua cabeça de um jeito confortável. Não sinto uma tensão musical desesperada nesse álbum como geralmente sinto nos antigos trabalhos dela. Amei!
  20. music_fan1
    Mar 22, 2022
    6
    I've listened to Mitski since way before she was popular and it is amazing to see her be arguably the most mainstream indie artist out. Her albums are always decent bodies of work with impressive songwriting and a lot of catchy hooks. Though, there is so much filler on Laurel Hell that isn't a fun or lively song to listen to. I understand her personal connections with the lyrics and theI've listened to Mitski since way before she was popular and it is amazing to see her be arguably the most mainstream indie artist out. Her albums are always decent bodies of work with impressive songwriting and a lot of catchy hooks. Though, there is so much filler on Laurel Hell that isn't a fun or lively song to listen to. I understand her personal connections with the lyrics and the emotion that is present, it just isn't for me. Slow, sad, and soft songs can be great when executed properly. This album has an unfortunate abundance of misses, that sadly makes me give this a mixed review. I wish all the best for Mitski.… Expand
  21. oNewYorker
    Jan 1, 2023
    10
    Not the best album, but there are some wonderful songs. Love Mitski so much,

    Edit: After listening more, this is an amazing album! So sad I didn’t recognize it sooner, than you Mitski. This album deserves way more attention, and does not deserve the hate it has been getting!
  22. crelctic_tyw
    Aug 7, 2022
    8
    I LOVE THIS ALBUM It is very underrated. A lot of MITSKI fans are saying that this album was not as sad as they expected but IT IS. It manages to be sad and upbeat at the same time it is SUPER GROOVY specifically the song “should’ve been me” although a few of the songs were not as good but most of them are SO GOOD

Awards & Rankings

95
#95 Best Album of 2022
43
#43 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. No Ripcord
    Mar 8, 2022
    70
    She’s emerged from the thickets of Laurel Hell more assured than ever before.
    Read full review
  2. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 7, 2022
    100
    This is an album that wrestles with the sisyphean slog of remaining engaged – with love, with work, with life. And you can dance to it.
    Read full review
  3. Variety
    Feb 7, 2022
    80
    Watching the arc of Mitski’s career, you might expect bombast, but “Laurel Hell” instead highlights the singular insistence of self that made Mitski into the hero she became, even if it comes in the form of honest mid-tempo melancholy.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »