Finding it Hard to Love LOVE ME MORE - A Song Review

(Reviewed by Melody Werner)

I think I made a mistake choosing this as the album cycle in which to dip my toes into the works of Mitski. I knew that Laurel Hell has had a muted reception among her fans, but I don't care what fans think because Mitski fans can notoriously be pretty fucking insufferable—particularly towards Mitski herself. Besides, I am a stickler for some good synthpop, and I heard that this lead single was precisely that. I regret to inform you that, at least personally, I don't really think it is.

Synthpop is something I don't think is something you need to jump on when it's trendy or anything. The good shit is pretty damn timeless, and you can generally tell the synths that will hold their luster for the foreseeable future. With this track, they lose their flavor about halfway in. There is no life to them, outside of the opening... and the outro. No new textures get introduced across the cut. No killer sax or guitar solos, or anything that would keep this from coming across as stock. No nothing. Well, at least the singing will provide more stimulation, then. When production is more sparse, it is usually to allow the vocals to take the front seat. After all, Mitski's a consummate performer and songwriter by all accounts, I'd expect something electrifying.

Instead, I find something stupefying: extremely monotonous lyrics performed like Mitski is doing her taxes. Look, I understand that lyrical repetition has its place at times. This is not "times". Rico Nasty's "Buss" uses lyrical looping to turn the vocals into a hazy wall of noise that keeps me nodding along every damn time. Not to mention Daft Punk's classic tunes; for instance, "Robot Rock". "Love Me More" does this to paint a picture of toxic co-dependence. I see it. But when there's nothing else to latch onto sonically across the track, I not only lose interest, but it becomes less pointed and evocative, and more clingy and obnoxious. I also am bewildered by the structure, which veers from dry verses to this chorus that just slams in out of nowhere. It doesn't feel earned, it just feels sloppy.

That's not to say that this is an outright terrible song. If you told me I had to choose between this song and anything off of Shadow Wank, I would easily choose this. It's generally competent (sonically, at least, not structurally), and Mitski has a very pretty voice. Her deliveries can be really lovely, particularly on the nominal, eponymous hook. I can see a good version of this song, but the track as is only gesturing at it. Oh! I forgot to mention—the music video seems fun!

Safe to say, but I found this track very disappointing. While it is not the worst thing I've listened to, by far, I still think it's a stinker and I dread hearing it again if I ever go through a full album listen. Gonna have to give this a 1/5. If this is the best Laurel Hell has to offer... uck.

Stinky

Summary:

I wish I loved "Love Me More", but it just left me cold.