On singer-songwriter Mitski’s eighth album, Nothing’s About to Happen to Me, she does more than just flirt with existentialism. She and the concept are swept up in the whirlwind of an intense love affair. It’s a romance that isn’t quiet and unassuming but dauntless and bold.
The album title is a prime example of naivety or arrogance depending on who you ask; that much is clear, but it also doubles as an affirmation. Thus, the question arises. When it’s time to shuffle off this mortal coil, can you do so unscathed by life?
Obviously, the answer is no, but it’s nice to pretend to ponder the possibility for a moment or two. Mitski spends a great deal of time musing about nothing, nobody, and nowhere on this record. Nothing’s About to Happen to Me is a body of work that thrives in negative space. Negation is the primary directive, absenteeism a mode of being (or perhaps it’s non-existence in this instance?), loss an everyday occurrence, and death the ultimate reward.
Mitski approaches thematic frigidity with an unparalleled warmth sonically. The brighter tone can be attributed to the folk and country stylings along with frequent orchestral arrangements found on the album. A trend that continues from her prior record, The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We.
Death doesn’t just loom over Nothing’s About to Happen to Me; it takes center stage on tracks such as ‘ Dead Women,’ where she poses the question, “Would you have liked me better if I had died?” “I was lying on the floor with death crouching beside me,” she tells us on the hymnal-tinged ‘ Instead of Here.‘ Mitski sings about the inevitable with a tenderness that’s difficult to resist as we’re soothed by rather morbid lullabies.
‘ Charon’s Obol‘ sounds like it was plucked off the cutting room floor of The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We. In that same vein, the track evokes the classic American folk songs of yesteryear. A genre and identity Mitski is no stranger to exploring.
It’s not all easy listening. Grungier tracks like ‘That White Cat‘ harken back to the days of Lush and Bury Me At Makeout Creek. Nothing’s About to Happen to Me doesn’t dwell on the metaphysical. The same amount of care is placed on the physical realm.
When it comes to describing the natural world. The lyricism in ‘In a Lake’ and ‘If I Leave’ is as vibrant as the instrumentation. The detailed imagery takes the listening experience to new heights.
Nothing’s About to Happen to Me is a melting pot of all Mitski’s past work. It also serves as a reminder that what’s hard fought simply ends up being for naught.
Nothing’s About to Happen to Me Tracklist
- In a Lake
- Where’s My Phone?
- Cats
- If I Leave
- Dead Women
- Instead of Here
- I’ll Change for You
- Rules
- That White Cat
- Charon’s Obol
- Lightning
Mitski 2026 Tour Dates
Mitski’s Nothing’s About to Happen to Me tour will be a global affair. The tour will span New York City, Mexico City, Istanbul, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, London, Manila, Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. Depending on where you are in the world, you may get multiple opportunities to witness Nothing’s About to Happen to Me live.
Mitski joins the residency trend with six nights at The Shed in New York City, five nights at Hollywood High School in Los Angeles, and four nights at the Sydney Opera House. The tour will include support from Sex Week, Gustaf, La Zorra Zapata, Haley Heynderickx, Canozan, Maria Somerville, Tarta Relena, and Gwenifer Raymond.
28 Feb – Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
2 Mar – The Shed – New York, NY
3 Mar – The Shed – New York, NY
4 Mar – The Shed – New York, NY
6 Mar – The Shed – New York, NY
7 Mar – The Shed – New York, NY
9 Mar – The Shed – New York, NY
23 Mar – Auditorio Nacional – Mexico City
30 Mar – Hollywood High – Los Angeles, CA
31 Mar – Hollywood High – Los Angeles, CA
2 Apr – Hollywood High – Los Angeles, CA
3 Apr – Hollywood High – Los Angeles, CA
4 Apr – Hollywood High – Los Angeles, CA
2 May – Kucukciftlik Park – Istanbul TR
5 May – Zenith Paris – La Villette – Paris, FR
6 May – AFAS Live – Amsterdam, NL
7 May – AFAS Live – Amsterdam, NL
9 May – Forest National – Brussels, BE
21 May – Royal Albert Hall – London, UK
29 May – Vivid LIVE @ Sydney Opera House – Sydney, AU
30 May – Vivid LIVE @ Sydney Opera House – Sydney, AU
31 May – Vivid LIVE @ Sydney Opera House – Sydney, AU
1 Jun – Vivid LIVE @ Sydney Opera House – Sydney, AU
Tue 14 Jul – Mall of Asia Arena – Manila, PH
Thu 16 Jul – UOB Live – Bangkok, TH
Sat 18 Jul – Tennis Indoor Senayan – Jakarta, ID
Mon 20 Jul – Zepp KL – Kuala Lumpur, MY
Tue 21 Jul – The Star Theatre – Singapore, SG
Sun 26 July – Fuji Rock Festival – Niigata Prefecture, JP