Father John Misty has parlayed a distinctive sense of humour, unique vocal delivery and undeniable songs into a silken sound that’s always been undercut by a sense of restlessness. Josh Tillman’s music is hard to categorise, slipping seamlessly from pop to jazz and singer-songwriter fare to indie-folk, often covering multiple genres in one album. On his sixth LP this mix is as beguiling as ever, with ‘Mahashmashana’ charting sounds both familiar and new for the chameleonic artist.
The title track is among a few epics here, coming in at more than nine minutes, but it never draws attention to its length. Much like Van Morrison’s ‘Astral Weeks’, this LP knows how to use a track’s expanses effectively — Tillman’s vocals are set against gorgeous strings and a constantly evolving arrangement.
She Cleans Up is one of the most out-and-out rock songs in his canon, offering a welcome change of pace while showing that he is at home in more rugged surroundings. It suits his wry lyrics and adds some impetus amid the slower feel elsewhere.
Mental Health is almost an extension of Tillman’s previous LP ‘Chloë and the Next 20th Century’, which leaned heavily on his jazz influences. Here, the strings and woodwind bring a similar vibe, his dextrous vocals to take centre stage.
Screamland begins patiently before shifting into something more chaotic and unpredictable, with heavy distortion adding to an unnerving atmosphere. Again, it’s a departure from what we might expect but one that works within the scope of the album.
If you could bottle up Father John Misty’s sound into a single track, I Guess Time Just Makes Fools of Us All would be it. At over eight minutes, it offers a melange of styles with a sax intro leading into something folky, capturing the breadth of his appeal and sense of scope.
‘Mahashmashana’ is another hypnotic album from an artist who is never content to stay in one lane, constantly reinventing his music but underpinning it with reliable wit and verve. It is highly ambitious but feels effortless, with Tillman delivering some of his best work across eight freewheeling cuts.
Father John Misty Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Sat April 12 2025 - EDINBURGH Usher Hall
Sun April 13 2025 - MANCHESTER O2 Apollo
Mon April 14 2025 - BRIGHTON Brighton Dome Concert Hall
Tue April 15 2025 - LONDON Royal Albert Hall
Wed April 16 2025 - LONDON EartH
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
.jpg)
