Released: 2012
Mitski’s “Brand New City” is a dark and introspective song. It explores feelings of decay, existential dread, and the desire for change. The repeated question, “Honey, what’d you take?” suggests concern for someone else while reflecting the singer’s own inner turmoil.
The opening lines, “I think my brain is rotting in places / I think my heart is ready to die,” set the tone. Mitski feels like she’s falling apart mentally and emotionally. This imagery is intense, painting a picture of deep personal struggle.
The repetition of the line “Honey, what’d you take?” implies desperation. It’s like she’s trying to understand what’s wrong with the other person or herself. This could be a metaphor for trying to grasp the cause of her own pain.
The line, “I think my fate is losing its patience / I think the ground is pulling me down,” suggests a sense of hopelessness. Mitski feels like she’s running out of time and options, weighed down by her problems.
In the lines, “But if I gave up on being pretty / I wouldn’t know how to be alive,” Mitski reveals her struggle with identity and societal expectations. The idea of moving to a “brand new city” and “teaching myself how to die” hints at a desire to escape and start over, even if it means drastic change.
