In her newest single release “Love Me More” off her forthcoming album “Laurel Hell,” Mitski hits the mark in employing all the elements of her lonely love song, generated from her soft vocals, catchy melody and dark lyrics. There’s the classic love song — and then there’s the Mitski love song, which looks past the superficial idolization of love by defining it through her own unique identity. 

As with many of her other songs, “Love Me More” has an upbeat-pop rhythm with lyrics that make you want to dance and cry at the same time. The song’s chorus is especially reminiscent of an ’80s top-charter, and I found it nostalgic to “Take on Me” by A-ha or “Maniac” by Michael Sembello. Yet, unlike most ’80s beats, the lyrics of this new release are quick to contradict the cheerful melody. 

“Love Me More,” is not one of Mitski’s most lyrically complex songs as many of the lines are repetitive. But, with lyrics like “Here’s my hand, There’s the itch, But I’m not supposed to scratch,” and “If I keep myself at home, I won’t make the same mistake, That I made for fifteen years,” she favorably conveys themes of loneliness and struggle. Then we’re brought back to the repetitive chorus: “I need you to love me more.” Mitski is known for using repetition to her benefit, and I was one of the many hooked on “Nobody,” which uses the word itself to create an entire chorus. However, “Love Me More,” is less successful in using repetition to make for an interesting and catchy chorus.

Mitski notes the lyrics were written pre-pandemic and says, “lyrics like ‘If I keep myself at home’ had different meanings than what they would now, but I kept them on the album because I found that some of the sentiments not only remained the same but were accentuated by the lockdown.’” 

Mitski’s lyrics that amplify feelings of containment and isolation truly do create a stronger meaning during a time of quarantine. The pandemic has only heightened the tension we feel navigating our relationships, and Mitski’s sense of confinement and dissatisfaction revealed through this song easily reflect much of what we’ve felt these last two years. 

The single was dropped alongside a fittingly bizarre and beautiful music video, directed by Christopher Good. According to Coup de Main Magazine, “Love Me More” claims to draw inspiration from “The Exorcist,” which becomes apparent through the video’s horror-influenced depictions of Mitski interacting with a mysterious doll-like version of herself. The doll is one of many repetitive elements in the video pointing towards Mitski’s path of self-realization as she develops an ominous, competitive relationship with the doll. 

Additionally, Mitski often appears fighting for control and struggling in confinement, represented through a full-bodied cast she is seen wearing in the hospital room followed by a scene in which she struggles to fit the shapes of silhouettes displayed throughout a small room.

“Love Me More” follows three previously released singles in Mitski’s ultimate release of “Laurel Hell,”which premieres Feb. 4. The song has continued to circle my mind this past week, but sadly falls low on my list of favorite Mitski songs. I’ve found her other recent singles more approachable, such as “Heat Lightning,” whose lyrics are slightly more interesting and melody less pop driven. 

Mitski fans have enjoyed watching her evolution as an artist as she has grown over the past couple of years. Each single seems to reflect Mitski’s classic love for a sad song, though this release’s upbeat beginning sounds more like something to dance to and gave initial hope that she wouldn’t leave us in tears this time. Regardless, Mitski is a multi talented artist who has surpassed expectations with her latest release. “Love Me More” ties the four singles together and definitely raises my anticipation for her new album’s release.