Mitski: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
August 31, 2015by BOB BOILEN
Watching Mitski perform at my desk, there are moments when I was worried for her. In her opening song, “Townie,“ the boys “are driving and they'll be drinking“ — and a verse later, Mitski sings of love in ways that feel vengeful, not fruitful.
And I want a love that falls as fast
As a body from the balcony, and
I want a kiss like my heart is hitting the ground
I'm holding my breath with a baseball bat
Though I don't know what I'm waiting for
I am not gonna be what my daddy wants me to be
Moments later, she holds her guitar high with her mouth close to the pickup, which acts like a microphone as she screams to her mother for help:
Mom, would you wash my back?
This once, and then we can forget
And I'll leave what I'm chasing
For the other girls to pursue
Mom, am I still young?
Can I dream for a few months more?
Then, she closes with a s