Puberty 2

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Puberty 2
File:Mitskipuberty2.jpg
Studio album by
Mitski
ReleasedJune 17, 2016 (2016-06-17)
StudioAcme Studios
(Westchester, New York)
Genre
Length31:25
LabelDead Oceans
ProducerPatrick Hyland
Mitski chronology
Bury Me at Makeout Creek
(2014) 		Puberty 2
(2016) 		Be the Cowboy
(2018)
Singles from Puberty 2
  1. "Your Best American Girl"
    Released: March 1, 2016[1]
  2. "Happy"
    Released: May 3, 2016[2]

Puberty 2 is the fourth studio album by American indie pop singer-songwriter Mitski, released on June 17, 2016, the first release through Dead Oceans. It was produced by longtime collaborator Patrick Hyland. Upon its release, Puberty 2 received widespread acclaim from music critics, with many praising Mitski's emotional delivery and lyrically complex themes, which include longing, love, depression, alienation and racial identity. The album was preceded by the lead single "Your Best American Girl" on March 1, 2016, alongside the announcement of the album,[1] and the second single "Happy" on May 3, 2016. A music video for "A Burning Hill" was released on October 11, 2016, followed by a tour covering North American and Europe.

Background and recording

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In a Q&A with Stereogum regarding Puberty 2, Mitski stated that after the breakout indie success of her third studio album, Bury Me at Makeout Creek, she felt out of touch with music, and that she "went back to her roots" in recording Puberty 2 by drawing inspiration from the compositions of all three of her previous studio albums. She also stated that in contrast to her previous album, Bury Me at Makeout Creek, Puberty 2's music would not be made with the intent to be performed live at DIY venues in similar renditions, and instead she would create new renditions of the songs to perform live.[3] The album was recorded entirely in the now-defunct Acme Studios in Westchester, New York, over a two-week period with producer and longtime collaborator Patrick Hyland.[3]

Composition

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The New York Times labeled the sound of Puberty 2 as "an impressive collection of D.I.Y. punk and indie rock".[4] According to Jillian Mapes of Pitchfork, Puberty 2's composition contains second-wave emo, "wistful dream pop", "slow-simmering electronics", "brusquely strummed folk-punk", surf guitar, and "plenty of '60s pop hooks". Mapes also noted Mitski's vocal delivery on the album to go through different "modes", including "deadpan disenfranchisement, smooth R&B, dream pop croon, gasping-for-breath pleas, [and] wall of harmonies (with herself)".[5]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?8.2/10[6]
Metacritic87/100[7]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStarStar[8]
The A.V. ClubA[9]
Consequence of SoundA−[10]
Financial TimesStarStarStarStarFile:Star empty.svg[11]
The GuardianStarStarStarStarFile:Star empty.svg[12]
Pitchfork8.5/10[5]
QStarStarStarStarFile:Star empty.svg[13]
Rolling StoneStarStarStarHalf starFile:Star empty.svg[14]
Spin9/10[15]
Uncut8/10[16]

Puberty 2 was released to widespread acclaim from music critics. At Metacritic the album received an average score of 87, based on 22 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[7] Critics praised the album's more restrained and nuanced emotional trajectory, as well as its complex lyrical themes, which include longing, love, depression, alienation, and racial identity.[10][17] Laura Snapes of NPR commented on the album's subtlety, writing that Puberty 2 "is a strike against the happy/sad poles that govern our lives."[18] Katie Rife of The A.V. Club deemed it "a triumphant new step in her evolution".[9]

Accolades

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Publication Accolade Year Rank Ref.
The A.V. Club The A.V. Club's Top 50 Albums of 2016 2016
8
[19]
The Observer The 25 best albums of the century so far 2025 —
[20]
Paste The 50 Best Albums of 2016 2016
5
[21]
Pitchfork The 20 Best Rock Albums of 2016 2016 —
[22]
The 50 Best Albums of 2016 2016
18
[23]
The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s 2019
30
[24]
Rolling Stone 50 Best Albums of 2016 2016
23
[25]
Rough Trade Albums of the Year 2016
73
[26]
The Skinny Top 50 Albums of 2016 2016
15
[27]
Stereogum The 50 Best Albums of 2016 2016
8
[28]
Time The Top 10 Best Albums 2016
3
[29]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Mitski Miyawaki, except where noted.

No.TitleLength
1."Happy"3:40
2."Dan the Dancer"2:25
3."Once More to See You"3:01
4."Fireworks"2:37
5."Your Best American Girl"3:32
6."I Bet on Losing Dogs"2:50
7."My Body's Made of Crushed Little Stars"1:56
8."Thursday Girl"3:08
9."A Loving Feeling"1:32
10."Crack Baby"4:52
11."A Burning Hill"1:49
Total length:31:25
Japanese CD bonus tracks[30]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Fireproof"
1:49
13."I'm a Fool to Want You"
3:49
Total length:37:03

Personnel

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  • Mitski – music, performance, album art
  • Patrick Hyland – production, performance, mastering, photographs

Charts

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Chart (2016) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[31] 137
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[32] 5
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[33] 18
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[34] 19
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[35] 32

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[36] Silver 60,000‡
United States (RIAA)[37] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  31. ^ "Ultratop.be – Mitski – Puberty 2" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  32. ^ "Mitski Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  33. ^ "Mitski Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  34. ^ "Mitski Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  35. ^ "Mitski Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
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