Father John Misty—Joshua Tillman since leaving Fleet Foxes—is not your average priest. He pushes disenchantment with love rather than a higher power. In his sophomore album, Tillman confirms his gifts of wit, vocals, and style.
With sardonic lyrics throughout I Love You, Honeybear, Tillman captures love in all of its chaotic beauty. He personifies the character of Father John Misty—beard, blazer, and sunglasses in tow—but his music boasts anything but fiction. In the surfeit of albums that claim to depict love and glamorize its details, this album’s intentionally truthful interpretation confuses but also inspires. This work’s titular ballad, “I Love You, Honeybear” develops a ceaseless string of pounding drums and swelling orchestra to complement the longing in Tillman’s persistent vocals. These elements contrast with the song’s unforgiving rhetoric, ultimately revealing Tillman’s critical stance on life and love.
He sings “Everything is doomed/And nothing will be spared/Oh I love you honeybear.” Using the familiar framework of a love ballad and verbose cynicism, he overcomes the ordinary expectations of such a track. Thus, the album simultaneously has appeal at its surface and at a deeper level. But you must listen closely in order to dive beyond the music and appreciate the allure of Tillman’s brutally honest speech. That being said, Tillman’s artistry establishes the album’s success. Elaborate musical arrangements layer upon his rugged, yet pure vocal performance to achieve a precious amalgam of country, folk, and psychedelic influences.
“The Night Josh Tillman Came To Our Apt.” merges these together in the sincere, folksy twang of Tillman’s voice, the ease of upbeat notes on acoustic guitar, and the lingering echoes in the background. This song covers a wide range of styles, shifting between the tenderness of its instrumentals and the passionate tone in Tillman’s voice.
I Love You, Honeybear shines with a cherished musical approach while exposing further what it means to tell the truth. Tillman blends this sparkling charade with a candid authenticity together smoothly, like honey.
Voice’s Choices: “The Night Josh Tillman Came To Our Apt.,” “Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)”
