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10.0
106341
10.0 |
Consequence Of Sound
The songs on Be the Cowboy are full of introspective, stomach-pummeling lyrics sung so steadily and unblinking that they gain even more power in their understatedness
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10.0
106422
10.0 |
Tiny Mix Tapes
Be the Cowboy is about capriciousness, denying the contrivances of beauty in some ways while bending to its standards in others. She’s walking the divide between love and heartache, between dejection and fury. But Miyawaki has the talent to straddle that line with poise and aplomb
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10.0
106457
10.0 |
The Guardian
Thrillingly dark bait-and-switch pop
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10.0
106541
10.0 |
NOW
The record swerves through genres like disco, pop and even country on the brilliant interlude-feeling Lonesome Love. Mitski takes risks and it pays off
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9.5
106399
9.5 |
Earbuddy
Best pop album of the year
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9.4
106483
9.4 |
Gig Soup
Unambiguously, ‘Be the Cowboy’ represents 2018’s brightest artistic moment, not so much a pinnacle as yet another classic in Mitski‘s discography likely to be cherished indefinitely
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9.1
106411
9.1 |
A.V. Club
Although Be The Cowboy sees Mitski fully transformed from her lo-fi beginnings in terms of production, her post-Pixies guitar-rock tendencies still come through strong, albeit now more lush and kaleidoscopic than buzzing and raucous
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9.0
106419
9.0 |
The 405
If Mitski’s prior release was her breakthrough into the mainstream, then Be The Cowboy is the tour de force project to solidify her place among the most moving musicians today
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9.0
106463
9.0 |
No Ripcord
Immense in execution and focus, the album reveals her own characteristics through characters. It hones in on her desires and loneliness, both in and out of all types of relationships
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9.0
106574
9.0 |
All Music
Some of the tracks here are polished with a sparkling synth palette, yet nothing feels slick and easy
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8.8
106429
8.8 |
Pitchfork
The fifth album from the singular songwriter is her greatest to date. From the music to her emotions, Mitski has the power to make the complex seem dazzlingly clear
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8.5
106392
8.5 |
The Line Of Best Fit
There's an outlaw spirit to this record: when shit happens you just gotta get back on the saddle
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8.3
106401
8.3 |
Paste Magazine
Whether she’s singing about herself or creating stand-ins that feel just like real people, Be the Cowboy shows why she is fast making herself into one of the most interesting songwriters of her generation
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8.0
106407
8.0 |
The Irish Times
Singular songs delivered with wicked precision
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8.0
106400
8.0 |
Exclaim
Mitski's voice remains as hauntingly evocative as ever
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8.0
106361
8.0 |
The Skinny
Decidedly more disco for Mitski, Be the Cowboy is a showdown of electrowave and her signature fretwork that brings a pop pep to heartbreak and humanity’s greatest gluttonies
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8.0
106353
8.0 |
NME
The American-Japanese songwriter conducts even grander musical theatrics than before
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8.0
106335
8.0 |
Loud And Quiet
With ‘Be The Cowboy’ she’s seized control of her image and taken her writing to the next level of detached gender critique and sincerity.
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8.0
106336
8.0 |
Slant Magazine
Even as she continues to explore the dark parts of her soul lyrically, Mitski sounds more confident than ever
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8.0
106338
8.0 |
Q
It's a rare songwriter who can be apocalyptic, vulnerable, funny and world-slaying. Print edition only
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8.0
106339
8.0 |
Mojo
If at times things veer towards needy, the sum of the set is saved by how real it all feels. Print edition only
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8.0
106449
8.0 |
DIY
It furthers her ability to create immersive worlds to fall into
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8.0
106486
8.0 |
American Songwriter
Be The Cowboy is a standout because of its restlessness, Mitski winding each lonely melody through the peripatetic music and always landing someplace unexpectedly moving
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8.0
106528
8.0 |
Clash
She has the potential to be considered one of the best singer-songwriters of our generation
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8.0
106627
8.0 |
The FT
The artist’s voice is a dominant presence amid guitars, distressed piano, pounding beats and keyboard sounds
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8.0
108627
8.0 |
The Quietus
Mitski’s devotion to music has resulted in a tremendously earnest and endearing record
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8.0
106468
8.0 |
Rolling Stone
Sees her continue to emerge as a visionary singer-songwriter
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8.0
106389
8.0 |
musicOMH
Showcases over 14 tracks an artist who rarely takes an obvious route to anything
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7.6
108628
7.6 |
Sputnik Music (staff)
There’s such a rush to these songs and, resultingly, it feels like Mitski is hurrying to capture something before it dissolves into smoke. It’s ephemeral because life is
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7.5
106475
7.5 |
Spectrum Culture
Suffused with romantic anxiety
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7.0
106426
7.0 |
PopMatters
Mitski argues on Be the Cowboy that we are meant to be emotional people, and that being strong and independent often leads to loneliness
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7.0
106340
7.0 |
Uncut
The songs all feel very much of a piece thanks to the coherence fostered by Mitski's high but agile voice and wry, self-deprecating humour. Print edition only
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7.0
106360
7.0 |
Under The Radar
Be the Cowboy may not hit the highs Mitski is capable of hitting, but it's still a solid effort from one of today's best artists
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7.0
106348
7.0 |
The Music
Intimate but prickly; experimental but poppy. It's sometimes machine driven but always human and a hundred other contradictions at once — which is what makes Mitski the fascinating artist she is
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7.0
106387
7.0 |
Crack
The unfolding narrative reveals a character looking for control amongst the loneliness and disarray of life. It’s a neat trick, allowing Mitski to delve into aching emotional territory while still keeping at a knowing distance
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7.0
106394
7.0 |
God Is In The TV
Mitski’s most interesting album
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