5 Things to Know About Mitski’s Laurel Hell

Mitski nearly quit music before making Laurel Hell. She had decided to stop making albums, then changed her mind and wrote this record.

She recorded the album in pandemic isolation. Mitski worked with producer Patrick Hyland alone, without a band or studio sessions.

The isolation shaped the album’s sound. The synth-pop direction came from working alone with electronic instruments instead of live musicians.

Laurel Hell is a pivot from her earlier work. Her previous albums were more guitar-driven; this one leans heavily on synthesizers and drum machines.

The near-quit moment is key to understanding the album. The record exists because she chose to keep going, and the tension of that decision runs through the songs.