Bug Like an Angel

Mitski's 'Bug Like an Angel' delves into the complex emotions surrounding family and the coping mechanisms one might adopt to deal with them. The song opens with a striking image of a bug, likened to an angel, stuck to the bottom of a glass, suggesting a sense of entrapment and the duality of something that is both beautiful and bothersome. This metaphor could represent the artist's feelings towards family – a necessary, yet sometimes suffocating, presence in one's life.

As the song progresses, Mitski reflects on her realization of being a drinker, hinting at alcohol as a form of solace that ironically feels like family. This comparison suggests a cyclical pattern where the very thing that provides comfort also causes pain, much like the complicated dynamics within a family. The lyrics 'Did you go and make promises you can't keep? Well, when ya break them, they break you right back' speak to the consequences of failing to uphold commitments, a theme that resonates with the idea of familial expectations and the guilt that accompanies them.

The song concludes with a contemplation of the 'wrath of the devil,' acknowledging that even the most malevolent forces were created by a higher power. This could be interpreted as an acceptance of the darker aspects of life and relationships, recognizing that they too have their place and purpose. Mitski's poetic and introspective lyrics invite listeners to ponder the nature of their own familial ties and the ways in which they navigate them.