Be The Cowboy

Description

After the success of Puberty 2 in 2016, Mitski was hailed as the new artist at the forefront of indie rock, the one who would save the genre from the white men who have historically dominated it. But the often-overlooked aspect of being an emerging star is the monstrous amount of work that must be done. She found herself relatively isolated, managing her own business while being on the road for her tour. Completely exhausted, both physically and emotionally, she tries to wake up, return to her art, and write pop songs. This album largely reflects that period. Artists are often expected to be strong but also vulnerable. Rather than avoiding this dilemma, Mitski directly addresses the feeling of power that arises when one adopts an impenetrable exterior while also acknowledging the loneliness that follows. Regarding her romantic relationships, she questions: was it love, or just the desire to absorb the other’s power? The desire for them, or the desire to be them? She ultimately decides that she can become the cowboy figure she longs for. In Be The Cowboy, Mitski reflects on the loneliness of being a symbol and the loneliness of being someone, and how it can feel like being nobody.