Almost four years after The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We, Mitski surprises fans with a long-awaited announcement of her upcoming eighth studio album Nothing’s About to Happen to Me ahead of lead single and music video “Where’s My Phone?”
Released last Friday, “Where’s My Phone?” is a three-minute indie-rock track infused with the overwhelming feeling of anxiety.
Opening with the chorus with distorted electric guitars, Mitski repeats the lines “Where did it go? / Where’s my phone? / Where’s my phone? / Where did I leave? / Where’d I go? / Where’d I go?” As the song progresses, Mitski reflects on different experiences of wanting to escape her distressed thoughts.
In verse one Mitski expresses, “I just want my mind to be a clear glass // Clear glass with nothing in my head // I keep thinking, “Surely, somebody will save me” in contrast to “I’ll stay out until my mind is like a clear glass // Clear glass with nothing going on // Or like a bug floating in the melted amber of a citronella candle // I will float until my mind is like a clear wax” in verse two, Mitski ponders with confidence in believing someone would save her from her internal thoughts. Meanwhile, as she realizes the heightened state of her reality, she attempts to find comfort in the uncomfortable – using escapism as a crutch to dissociate from feelings she wants to avoid.
Directed by Noel Paul, the music video captures the intensity of being impulsive when experiencing paranoia. Using inspiration from Shirley Jackson’s novel We Have Always Lived In The Castle, Mitski plays a woman who is trying to protect her sister from strange characters who seek to cause discomfort in their lives. Almost like a feverdream, Mitski unleashes her rage as a form of armor, wanting to shield the negative energy that tends to find its way. Although unsuccessful in saving her sister, Mitski is seen in a state of shock, processing the loss of someone she loves.
Accumulating over 500,000 views in the past 48 hours, “Where’s My Phone?” provides fans a glimpse into Mitski’s new musical era. Receiving accolades from The Rolling Stone, depicting her as “the most alluring and enigmatic musician in indie rock,” we are eager to witness the next chapter of Mitski’s journey.
Nothing’s About to Happen to Me is available to pre-save and order here.
Nothing’s About to Happen to Me Tracklist:
- In A Lake
- Where’s My Phone?
- Cats
- If I Leave
- Dead Woman
- Instead of Here
- I’ll Change for You
- Rules
- The White Cat
- Charon’s Obol
- Lighting
Keep up with Mitski: Instagram // TikTok // X // Facebook // Youtube // Spotify // Apple Music // Threads // Website
