Puberty 2 by Mitski

The album at #24, by the singularly-named woman, Mitski, sounds familiar and unique all at once. In her voice you can hear traces of other powerful singers like St. Vincent, Liz Phair, or Sharon van Etten. Her music, well- but not overly-produced, is a fluid blend of electronic and analog instruments, quiet and then pushed at times to the edge of breaking. Puberty 2 is her fourth album, and this is the only one I’ve listened to, but I aim to hear the others.

I don’t tend to hear the lyrics I’m listening to, the voice tending to be more like another instrument, and Puberty 2 is no different. She could be singing about death and destruction, or happiness and joy, and I’d be none the wiser. But that’s, again, part of the beauty. She’s a half Japanese, half American female Jónsi, leading her own New York-based Sigur Ros.

There. I think I’ve thrown enough confusion at you to spark some interest. Now go listen, won’t you?

__________________________________________

25. Light Upon the Lake by Whitney
26. A Corpse Wired for Sound by Merchandise
27. Away by Okkervil River
28. case/lang/veirs by case/lang/veirs
29. Love Letter for Fire by Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop
30. Barbara Barbara, We Face a Shining Future by Underworld
31. Preoccupations by Preoccupations