Mitski makes magic at the Moda Center
Japanese-American singer-songwriter Mitski played again at the Moda Center on Sept. 21, covering her newest album, “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We,” along with other popular songs, and a few of her underrated gems, bringing new light and tempo to her everyday songs.
Mitski never fails to charm and engage her audience and this year's concert did exactly that. Opened by Suki waterhouse, who herself is a phenomenal artist that makes you reflect not only on her lyrics but orchestral melody. Mitski followed suit with her similar heartbreaking bravado. She played 22 songs with two encores for a total 24, singing her iconic “Nobody” and “Washing Machine Heart,” arguably two of her most popular songs. Both of these songs have an upbeat melody and pop-style beat, as do most of Mitski’s older albums, but hidden away in her lyrics is a story of longing and despair with stories of “Why not me?” and “My God, I'm so lonely.”
This year's concert also made way for new writings of familiar songs. my personal favorite, Valentine Texas, was molded into a new work of art entirely. She began with a loud ringing, her voice just barely breaking through, pulling you in until she delivered a scream that gave way to her perfect lyrics. It was a stretch from the original song but all the better, making me wish I could forget it all just to re-listen. By the end she had also included her iconic performance of “My Love Mine All Mine,” dancing and reaching for shards of broken glass that gleamed like stars in the stadium lights, a story of wanting for what she knows could only hurt.
In my whole truth she has done nothing but improve, two years ago I watched her sing at the Arlene Schnitzer, a performance I will never forget, but it doesn't hold a candle to her new work, truly she is a once in a generation artist, breathing new life into old ideas.