On Father John Misty’s new LP Mahashmashana, the artist AKA:  Josh Tillman  blends complexity and beauty into a cohesive, thought-provoking album.  Father John Misty crafts a body of work that dances between genres and moods, exploring existentialism, mental health, and the weight of self-awareness with a poetic depth that almost feels absurd.

The album’s title, Mahashmashana—Sanskrit for “Great Cremation Ground”—foreshadows the album; it’s not an album of lighthearted escapism but instead reflects on life’s transience, wrestling with the themes of impermanence and self-exploration. These aren’t songs easily pinned down to a single emotion. There are layers of nostalgia, despair, humor, and melancholy, created in a manner that causes self-reflection.

Mahashmashana continues the trend of lush, cinematic arrangements that marked Tillman’s earlier work. Songs are long and dense, often exceeding the six-minute mark, filled with layered instrumentation and soaring crescendos. The album embraces the grandeur of his early indie-rock and folk roots while pulling in jazz, orchestral, and even psych-inflected influences. Tracks like “Mental Health” and “Josh Tillman and the Accidental Dose” feature muted jazz tones and sweeping strings that feel both nostalgic and innovative. Meanwhile, others like “Screamland” build into crashing epics, striking a delicate balance between chaos and control.

“Mental Health,” one of the standout tracks, exemplifies the album’s layered approach. It opens with smooth, jazzy arrangements, muted cymbals, restrained guitar scales, and an intoxicating cello, building to Tillman’s incisive lyricism. “Insanity, baby it’s indispensable,” he sings, tongue firmly in cheek, as the song builds to a crescendo. This is Tillman at his best. The track closes with the haunting refrain, “But it’s all in your mind,” a phrase delivered with a heavenly production that feels almost ethereal.

The transition into “Screamland” is deliberate and jarring. Where “Mental Health” ends with ethereal production, “Screamland” begins with Tillman’s voice front and center, clear and intimate, as if he’s standing right in front of you. The shift mirrors the album’s thematic exploration of internal and external realities. “The optimist, swears hope dance last,” Tillman intones over a soft orchestral opening that gradually builds into an overwhelming, psych-inflected soaring epic, underscoring the themes of this song.

Tillman’s storytelling remains cryptic yet compelling throughout the album. His poetic jabs and lyrical riddles encourage listeners to dig deeper, again pushing us down a path of self-reflection. On “Josh Tillman and the Accidental Dose,” he quips, “I was treating acid with anxiety,” a line that’s both humorous and resonant, reflecting the theme of grappling with identity and mental health.

Despite the album’s complexity, there’s a sense of growth and maturity in Tillman’s approach. Long known for his biting sarcasm and ironic detachment, Mahashmashana shows a shift toward introspection and vulnerability. This evolution is particularly evident in tracks like “Mental Health” and “Dawning,” where Tillman explores self-awareness and acceptance with a Leonard Cohen-esque depth. “No one knows you like you do, you two should speak,” he sings, reflecting a hard-won wisdom that feels refreshingly sincere.

The arrangements mirror its lyrical density. Tracks like “Being You” and “She Cleans Up” show Tillman exploring. “Being You” pairs a tight drum pattern with shimmering guitars, creating a dreamlike atmosphere, which is new territory for an artist with roots deep in the world of Folk. “She Cleans Up,” meanwhile, could easily be mistaken for a Cake song with the uptempo, stripped back production, and clipped monotone vocals.

While Mahashmashana is undeniably ambitious, it’s also deeply personal. The title itself hints at the idea of burning away the old to make room for the new—a theme that resonates throughout the album. Whether he’s grappling with existential dread or poking fun at his own struggles, Tillman’s ability to weave humor and pathos into his music remains unmatched.

Ultimately, Mahashmashana is an album that demands patience and rewards close listening. It’s a record that refuses to spoon-feed its listeners, instead inviting them to wrestle with their own personal complexities and contradictions. The intricate arrangements, cryptic storytelling, and emotional depth, Mahashmashana stands as a testament to Father John Misty’s growth as an artist and person. He offers new insights with each listen and proves once again that Josh Tillman is one of the most compelling artists in the music scene.

pre-order Mahashmashana by Father John Misty HERE