Review
In the enigmatic world of Father John Misty's "Mahashmashana," we find ourselves whisked away on an ethereal exploration of life's impermanence, as if we’ve stumbled into a sonic séance. Released into the universe on November 22, 2024, this wondrous creation is brought to life by the talented Mr. Josh Tillman, who dons his melodious wizard hat to weave mortality, transformation, and time itself into a rich audio tapestry. The album's uncanny title, drawn from the Sanskrit for "great cremation ground," paints a vivid picture of the thematic realms in which Misty chooses to dance. With Jonathan Wilson steering the ship as executive producer and aided by Drew Erickson, Tillman embarks on a wild departure from familiar shores, enlisting his trusty bandmates for a deeply collaborative escapade. Dan Bailey stands drumstick-in-hand in the spotlight, delivering rhythms as expressive as a Shakespearean soliloquy.
In this intriguing jumble of sound and emotion, tracks like "I Guess Time Makes Fools of Us All," "She Cleans Up," and "Josh Tillman and the Accidental Dose" regress the age-old question of suffering fools—and Tillman, as our melodious guide, invites us to ponder the answer. But it's the epic "Screamland," which stretches its sonic arms for over seven minutes, that really transports us into the otherworldly. With Alan Sparhawk lending his guitar wizardry to the piece, the tune truly becomes a transcendent adventure. It’s as if a magic carpet made of guitar strings has whisked us away to a visually striking video landscape, with nothing but the stepped moon to guide the way. Critics have tipped their hats to Tillman’s mystical majesty—*The Arts Desk* even dubbing it a "landmark." All in all, "Mahashmashana" further cements Father John Misty’s position as the bard of emotive musings, crafting universes both personal and enchanting for the willing wanderer. - Poppy
