Mitski Miyawaki, known mononymously as Mitski, is a Japanese-American indie rock singer-songwriter. As a child, Mitski’s family moved around frequently – she lived in countries including China, Malaysia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Turkey.

Mitski, who is based out of New York City, attended State University of New York at Purchase’s Conservatory of Music. While still a student there, Mitski recorded and self-released two albums, 2012’s Lush and 2013’s Retired from Sad, New Career In Business.

Her early work was primarily piano-based, reflecting her background in classical piano. After graduating from Purchase College, Mitski was a member of Voice Coils, a progressive metal band. In November 2014, she released her third studio album, Bury Me at Makeout Creek.

That album marked a sonic departure for Mitski, as she abandoned the classical piano influence of her freshman and sophomore albums, switching it out for a harder-sounding guitar. On June 17, 2016, Mitski released her fourth studio album, Puberty 2.

The lead single off that album, “Your Best American Girl,” was released on March 1 of that same year when Mitski announced her forthcoming album. Mitski, who has toured with Lorde and the Pixies, released her fifth studio album on August 17, 2018.

That album, Be the Cowboy, was met with critical acclaim, as were many of her previous albums. Pitchfork, Vulture and Consequence of Sound all named Be the Cowboy as Album of the Year.