Album Review // Mitski // Nothing's About to Happen to Me

Dead Oceans

4.75 stars out of 5

This might be the single most quintessential Mitski album in her entire catalog. With that, there comes a bit of a double-edged sword. Make no mistake, this is a fantastic album filled with deep emotional resonance and lyrical metaphors all built around an ambitious, interwoven theme. Fans of hers – like myself – should not and will not be disappointed in the slightest. It's worthy of analytical study and will be listened to and ruminated upon for years to come. Nothing's About to Happen to Me is easily one of the best albums of 2026. Why then, do I sound so defensive and cold? It's because she is – for better or worse – held to her own exceedingly lofty standards. The heights that Mitski has reached in the past are nearly unparalleled by other artists in her generation. While I would rank this album somewhere in the middle of her discography, calling this a "middling" Mitski album is wholly misleading. Glistening with fresh instrumentation (accordion, horn hits, etc.), it wavers between the delicate touch of The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We and the aggressive tension of Puberty 2. It's an exciting and dense album that will no doubt bring new listeners into the fold and give dedicated fans something to celebrate. It's catchy, passionate, and brings a tear to my eye. What more could you want?