Anaïs Mitchell Releases New Self-Titled Album 

Singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell has released her first solo album in over a decade, conveniently named Anaïs Mitchell via BMG. Mitchell is a natural when toying with the genres of narrative folk song, poetry and balladry, and all of the songs showcased in this album proves of what she is still capable of perfectly.

Fans around the world are already well aware of Mitchell, as she is the multi award winning creator of the Broadway musical Hadestown. She did it all for the project by writing the book, music and lyrics herself. Hadestown won 8 Tony Awards that includes Best Musical as well as the Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. Not only this, but Mitchell was also named to TIME’s prestigious TIME100 list in 2020, and her first book, ‘Working on a Song – The Lyrics of Hadestown was published by Penguin/Plume in the same year. Truly, she has done and accomplished all, as her work was also been highly praised in the likes of NPR, Wall Street Journal, MOJO, Uncut, The Guardian, Sunday Times and The Observer. It’s appropriate to say that with this new album, a legend has returned with boundless of expertise for audiences to fully appreciate.

“Brooklyn Bridge” is led with a soothing piano featuring equally soothing vocals. The song is about wanting be with a specific person always, through thick and thin. A story is set up of a taxi going over such bridge, with two lovers in the backseat, refusing to be separated from each other, and willing to continue a journey together forever.

“Bright Star” was the first single released for the album, and tells a story of following a star until you simply can’t no longer. It focuses on growing old with someone, but not having them to accompany you at the end of it all. The instrumentals in the track are quiet so listeners can really focus on Mitchell’s carefully crafted lyrics

“Revenant” focuses on past memories spent with someone that you can no longer contact. The first line introduces the letters left behind, and in the second verse, “in a box under the stairs, found a lock of a child’s hair, suddenly I saw you there.” The lines are sung with an incredible sense of longing, filled with the desire to go back in time, and experience life like it once was like.

“On Your Way (Felix Song)” shows a musician moving forward, and taking the journey of a lifetime. To be a musician is to cease any opportunity that presents itself, as the track’s chorus states, “I’m going where the take is going, no regrets and no mistakes, you get one take.” The song is is a tribute to Felix McTeigue, who died in 2020.

“Real World” holds Mitchell’s desire to live in a place that is a utopia to her, featuring dancing, food, and being held close. The only instrument presented in this track is one of a acoustic guitar, but it’s all that’s needed for Mitchell to have her feelings come across to audiences perfectly.

“Backroads” is another song filled with memories, but focusing more on the one’s that will stick with us forever. To be young is to be daredevils, indulging in dangerous love and speeding through the backroads of a city. These times come and go, and it’s important to look back once and awhile to remember the backroads that made us who we are.

“Little Big Girl” spares no details in talking about the cruelties of growing up, and not wanting to let go of the child that you once were. It also focuses on the pressure that girls go through when transitioning into a woman, and what society believes to be the rules that all women should follow.

“Now You Know” is a song written as a response to one lover asking the other why they are crying. Mitchell records her train of thought here, running from one idea to another, on what things make her sad enough to cry.

“The Words” follows the journey of trying the words that expressive pure joy the greatest. It show appreciation is not always easy, as at times, there are simply no words present to encapsulate an emotional experience.

“Watershed” finishes the album with a tale of working hard and achieving everything and anything you can. Mitchell gives her audience clear imagery of what it look like to constantly move forward and get better at what you do, as verse two says, “the tallest summit you look up to, someday it’s gonna look small to you, there’s a new one coming into view, and you’ll climb that too.”

The entire album can be viewed for your enjoyment here: