Father John Misty – Mahashmashana
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Father John Misty is a persona played by, or perhaps inhabited by, one Joshua Tillman. Tillman has been releasing music since early in the millennium, and even spent time as the drummer for the band Fleet Foxes. His first release as Father John Misty came out in 2012.
I am just in the process of being baptized into Father John Misty’s flock – I just discovered him last week and am now greedily taking in his sermons. Lucky for me, I have at least six albums of content to discover, and I am excited for it.
I am sure some of you have served much longer as part of his congregation. This is not my typical fare. Case in point: My 10-year-old son, Griffin, was shocked at how not heavy and drum beat-driven or full on electronic the music was when I was playing this album in the car. He asked who I was, and what I had done with his father.
It is difficult to pass up music and lyrics as good as this, though. The music and style just hit me at the right time, and now I am hooked. Father John Misty has a persona of a crooner full of hubris and wit. He sings with the gusto and romance of 1970s Elton John but with the world-weary lyrics of Maynard James Keenan mixed with… I dunno… somebody less angry.
His songs and lyrics have a melancholic bit of mystery to them. Josh Tillman manages to speak truth through an obfuscated poetry and poignant obliviousness that is akin to Beck, The Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne, or Cake’s John McCrea. Like it is with those singers, it is tough to decide which is stronger: the vocal and musical performance or the written lyrics.
Grab some headphones. Put on the album. Languish in the experience. And then decide for yourself.
Cheers,
Evan
Mental health, mental health
No one knows you like yourself
You two should speak
In the presence of a licensee
Bonus viewing – Father John Misty at Primavera Sound Barcelona 2026