I came out of Father John Misty’s third album: Pure Comedy with a bad taste in my mouth. After giving it a listen or two I was inevitably turned off by Joshua Tillman’s insufferable ability to portray himself as a character who’s sanctimonious. Yet, here I am a year later singing the praises of his newest studio LP God’s Favorite Customer. So what’s happened? Why the sudden change of heart? Well, the answer isn’t all that simple.

In an interview with NME Father John Misty, himself confirmed the album was not rooted in any specific concepts like his previous outings. In his own words, he admitted they were, in one way or another, “kind of pretentious.” In this, I saw a sign of change in Father John Misty’s mind, a glimmer of hope in a desolate wasteland of pompous, self-aware, singer-songwriter tunes. It was clear that rather than delivering a scathing social commentary he wants to talk about something much more personal. Something that was bigger than himself. This is where everything changed for me. I was in full support.

Despite his previous sentiments, God’s Favorite Customer still manages to tell an elaborate story across its forty minute runtime. For once Father John Misty is incapable of portraying himself in his usual bombastic persona. Instead, he’s inclined to sing about himself while he was in his most vulnerable state. With that said, this album isn’t so much about Father John Misty as it’s about Joshua Tillman. It’s about a man who’s been shaken to his core. It’s about being forced to examine yourself at your worst when you’re so utterly defeated by despair and hardship. Tillman explained that before the release of the album he went through a two month period where he stayed at the Bowery Hotel when he was reportedly “on the straights.” That period of time serves as the albums main inspiration and set piece.

Another theme that serves as a major inspiration for Father John Misty’s music is ironically religion. Due to its omnipresence in a myriad of ways, it’s something I’m also going to be focusing on in this article. However, I’m going to be analyzing it through the lens of someone who actually believes in God. I’ll be sure to point out the brief periods of theological ignorance Tillman often sprinkles throughout this discography whenever I find it most apt. The name of the record itself is a good place to begin.

The rather pious title can be taken in a number of ways but I see the title of God’s favorite customer as a position of prestige and weakness in some respects. To be God’s favorite customer means you constantly require His assistance. For whatever reason, you find yourself dependent upon His comforting word, calling out to Him more often than not. The title is also a bit paradoxical as God isn’t supposed to pick favorites. Romans 2 verse 11 spells this out very explicitly.

For God does not show favoritism.

This revelation makes the title of God’s favorite customer all the more insignificant as to now show favoritism everyone must be God’s favorite customer. Significance is something Tillman actively chases throughout the record. Whether the title is meant to highlight his feelings of worthlessness or to be taken humorously, its a good example of the persistent theme of religion he frequently uses without discretion. Now without any further delay, let’s get into the music, shall we?

“Hangout at the Gallows” marks the beginning of Tillman’s journey through despair. It’s carried by a slow drumbeat and a plucky bass. Father John Misty sounds desperate and even a bit deranged as he coos about the gallows. In case you don’t already know, gallows are a set of structures that were primarily used for public hangings back during a time when capital punishment was more primitive. It’s here where the title of this track should make more sense as it’s a painfully obvious pun about suicide. Tillman’s suicidal thoughts are regularly shared on this album making it a much more poignant experience. It’s a rather somber note for the album to begin on and it only gets severer as the listener trudges onward.

“Mr. Tillman” is the next track and my personal favorite. It’s a great example of self-reflection as Father John Misty doesn’t sing about himself from a first-person perspective instead; taking on the role of a hotel concierge frustrated with him. It’s a rather pleasant sounding song, with a loud acoustic guitar, charming bells, and beautiful harmonies done by Father John Misty himself. However, all of this is immediately contrasted by its decisively melancholic sentiments.

Mr. Tillman, for the seventh time. We have no knowledge of a film that is being shot outside. Those aren’t extras in a movie; they’re our clientele. No, they aren’t running lines and they aren’t exactly thrilled. Would you like a regalo on the patio? Is there someone we can call? Perhaps you shouldn’t drink alone….

The track references the hotel Tillman stayed at during that two-month period where he was having a personal dilemma. In fact, its working title was simply “Bowery.” The listener is able to take pity on poor Tillman; his humiliating actions have caused him to become a public nuisance. His crass character traits were also displayed on the previous track when he asks the audience, “Whats your politics? Whats your religion.” Both of which are inappropriate to ask so outwardly. Nonetheless, the hotel receptionist attempts to stay as professional as possible whilst subtlety scolding him.

“Just Dumb Enough To Try” is Tillman’s failed attempt at regaining his haughty stature. It’s posed like a love song but it’s conclusively about how Tillman is a failure at love and by extent life itself. This was the track that really opened my eyes to Father John Misty’s inner struggle and growth not just as a musician but as a person. While the entire album is a harsh self-reflection this is one song that really deconstructs his personal character flaws. Flaws that were undoubtedly the terminal cause of his downfall. “Date Night” maintains this theme and further exemplifies Tillman’s sleazy nature. Whether it’s supposed to be him talking to his wife or another woman entirely is not exactly clear, but a lot can be derived from his words. Despite his unfavorable situation he still tries to maintain his egocentrism.

Nothing surprises me much. And my hobbies include: Laughing in the dark. Do you want to go to the farm? Do you want to go to the park? I’ll get you ice cream if you give me your card.

This lark of a persona comes to a halt once we get to the next track “Please Don’t Die.” Father John Misty recapitulates the theme of suicide and depression as he sings from the perspective of his wife who’s very overtly pleading with him to not kill himself. It’s another song that highlights the negative characteristics of Tillman. Suicide is an act often seen as selfish to some degree. Contrary to what many may believe the pain of the victim doesn’t die along with them, instead, its carried on to the ones who truly loved and cared about them. Tillman has revealed before his struggles with depression and how much his wife has helped him through it. However, it seems their estrangement has only caused it to fester. Tillman realizes this and makes progress to end his suffering on the next track.

Tillman’s soft piano driven song, “The Palace” is him finally personally acknowledging his shortcomings. He pokes fun at his drug abuse, recognizes how badly he treats others, and admits he needs help and is ready to change.

Last night I texted your iPhone. And said I think I’m ready to come home. I’m in over my head.

It’s a hopeful end to Tillmans despair. As he, after all this time, understands the fruitlessness of maintaining his masquerade. After “The Palace” the album seldom returns to the routine subject matter Father John Misty so often tackles. “Disappointing Diamonds Are the Rarest of Them All” and “The Songwriter are both about his wife. But the title track is one of particular importance as it somewhat continues the narrative of the record.

“God’s Favorite Customer” follows Tillman on, as he puts it, “another night on the straights” where he unexpectedly calls out to God for direction. Father John Misty has made it clear he doesn’t believe in God. During his childhood played religion such a prominent role in his life that it ultimately drove him away from it and with it his evangelical parents. However, this track captures one fleeting moment where he once again drops his idiosyncratic attitude to call out to something greater than himself. Ironically he still does this selfishly as he believes the former title of God’s favorite customer entitles him to special treatment. It still manages to be a very interesting departure from his usual inflammatory statements toward religion and the bible you can’t help but see how far down the rabbit hole Tillman leaped during his dark period.

The closing track of the record “We’re Only People (And There’s Not Much Anyone Can Do About That)” is Tillman finally changing. It neatly wraps up his misadventure through suffering in his usual methodical manner. Tillman shows a better understanding of himself and other people as he decides to relate himself to them rather than attempting to further distance himself. He’s taken his period of crisis as a learning experience and seeks to change for the better. A happy ending to a sad story.

Father John Misty continues to impress as his albums show consistent maturity throughout the years. The man who had claimed to know all the answers was finally met with one that couldn’t be solved. This album is a perfect metaphor for growth both in musicality and in spirit. For the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

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Ken Ashcorp is one of those artists that’s consistently able to floor me. Whether it be by his masterfully created ballads or his ability to sing about anything and make it sound good, he always finds a way to fascinate my delicate mind. This track is obviously no different. In its most raw essence, the song is about sex. It’s about losing yourself and taking everything in the heat of the moment. When you’re in the zone you don’t really care what anyone else thinks, despite how vulnerable you may be.

Oh, confidence exude, God, I love that attitude. Shudder from the shutter, shut up and make me glad that I did this with you.

The constant booming guitar riff and the almost wispy way Ashcorp delivers his lyrics makes for an incredibly enjoyable track that I listen to rather regularly. Give it a listen and get in the zone.

If there’s one thing I love it’s a song that puts me at ease while simultaneously being fast. Sleepspent is able to capture this very specific tone in such an impressive and engaging fashion. The track has themes of isolation in its lyrics while ultimately recounting a story of self-destruction.

When the world falls asleep it may as well be decimated. I can’t see and I can’t sleep oh, seven years of tired waiting.

The rolling acoustic guitar riffs play together nicely with the hard-hitting drums. It all culminates into this beautiful ballad sung predominately by the lead singer; Austin North. Fittingly enough, the song ends just like how it begins: abruptly.

It’s the epitome of a summertime jam. Something you can listen to as you drive across the sandy coast or as you’re drifting to sleep on a warm night. It’s sure to bring a smile to anyone listening.

It’s incredibly rare when you find a song that you relate to so much you’d’ve thought it was written especially for you. Such is the case of this bubbly track by Joseph N. Flores AKA Temporex. The track details the age-old struggle of being separated by the one you call yours.

Baby, I don’t know what to do. I’m just so damn far away from you. I kiss you before you get onto the train. Might not see you for months and that pains me to say…

It’s something that speaks to me very deeply at this point in time and its poignancy is made more elaborate by its contrasting production. In true Temporex fashion, the song is layered with bells, a fluffy guitar, and jazzy drums. Its ladder section is more experimental but a nice closer to an already enjoyable track. Give it a listen, it’s anything but okay.

Lend me your brakes again, you’re more than my speed. And I’ve played heartstrings before, but not in your key.

These are the first words uttered by Palace frontman; Leo Wyndham in the second track off their 2014 EP entitled Lost in the Night. This is said after the audience is able to hear the opening guitar licks that effectively set the narrative tone for the rest of the track. It’s desolate, whispy, and above all else; cold. Those are the very few words I can use to describe this beautiful song as anything else would just come off as disingenuous.

It’s one part heartbreaking and another part reassuring to hear Wyndham sing about the bitterness of envy. It’s sung to such a minimalist yet complex instrumental that it causes the listener to focus solely on the emotional vigor echoing from Wyndham’s words. Give it a listen. You won’t feel bitter.

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Summer has always been a harbinger of surreal experiences for me. I’m not exactly sure why, but whenever it comes time for that big yellow star to start really shining I always end up in a bizarre atmosphere that lasts as long as the season does. Call it Summer blues or June gloom, I’m not sure. However, one thing I do know that’s heightened during this time is my appreciation for music.

There a few songs I always tend to play around this time that I can truly connect with during these three months only. So that’s what I’m going to talk about today. Hopefully, in the process of this article, I can introduce a few people to some great artists. Some you may have already heard of, some maybe not. Perhaps you’ll also learn a little more about me.

The XX – Islands

I first heard this track back in the Summer of 2016 appropriately enough. On my inaugural listen I instantly conjured a scene in my mind I really wasn’t able to appreciate at the time. That scene was about summer.

The first few sounds you hear repeat for a few moments before it abruptly jumps into the main guitar riff. For whatever reason, it always reminded me of the suns rays. The way the repetitive tone drones at such a low frequency is almost warming to the ear, as it should be. The guitar continues to play a soft melody and works in tandem with the smooth bass groove. The drums are snappy but not too loud and operate a bit lower in the mix.

And I am yours now. So now I don’t ever have to leave. I’ve been found now. So now I’ll never explore.

Overall, the song creates a very serene atmosphere. Even in the final moments of the track where the instruments begin to get faster, the overall serenity is not damaged or hindered. It’s a calm, steady rise and fall that is brought to a sudden cathartic end. The listener is left with the faint reverberations the instruments left behind before being halted.

This is the first song I think of when I imagine summer. I suppose the title is more apt than one would first expect. Aside from the production, I find it easiest to explain the piece in terms of experience more than anything else. It feels like you’re listening to a journey, your journey, and the whole time the sun is beaming down on you, up till you reach an oasis of nothing but pure joy. This is especially amazing because it’s able to achieve this in just under three minutes.

Summer Salt – Sweet To Me

I suppose its time for me to get a bit sappy. The song is about a girl and spending a perfect day with her.  I like it so much because I’ve always envisioned a perfect day that could play along with this simple tune. Much like the song, I also imagine who that special someone I can spend it with might be. The lyrics simultaneously invoke sentiments on who it really is:

You’re so sweet to me. Will you be sour later?

It’s this uncertainty in the singer’s words that really resonate with me here. In the same vein as “Islands,” this track is also tailored for easy listening. However, that also leaves some room for vulnerability. It’s that little feeling there that I like to focus on. I like how it’s carried throughout the track and seems to drive it all the way to the end.

There’s a nice little guitar solo at the end of the track that effectively plays out the song until it eventually plays out. I always enjoyed that choice to let it fade rather than end because it implies it never has ended. Much like the sun and life itself for that matter, it will continue to beat on ceaselessly into the present.

I know the track itself is supposed to give off a beachy summer vibe, I mean, it’s the namesake of the band after all. One could say that means the song is a bit contrived but I think that’s the point, and to be frank, I don’t really care.

Animal Collective – Fireworks

I had never heard about Animal Collective before listening to this track back in February 2016 and it’s a real shame because for a little while, “Fireworks” was my favorite song of all time. I understand that’s a bold statement but before this song, I had never connected with any piece of music like it.

I can’t explain the complex emotions this song evokes within me. It’s able to trigger so many memories, it’s like a road trip every time I hear it. When I hear it I picture those unforgettable warm summer nights I spent outside when the air is still and all I could hear were the crickets chirping.

This song is like audible nostalgia. It makes me feel like I’m a kid again where all my worries were minor compared to what I have to think about now. It was a simpler time back then, and anything that can bring me back to those golden years deserves the utmost praise for doing so.

Sonically there are so many intricacies within the track and if I were asked to describe all of them we would be here for a while. So for the sake of time, I’ll only explain my favorite facets.

The song begins with a rhythmic tone that is present throughout the entire seven-minute runtime. It immediately creates a steady beating tempo that’s only further heightened by Avey Tare’s non-lexical vocables. By the time the actual words come in, the song has already reached a point of musical prowess. An achievement made salient by Tare’s powerful words.

And I can’t lift you up, cause my mind is tired. It’s family beaches that I desire. A sacred night, where we’ll watch the fireworks… Flashing eyes and they’re colored why. They make me feel. That I’m only all I see sometimes.

I love this song. I love its melancholic disposition. I love the way it makes me feel. I love the twisted sounds and the way it uses them. I love the way Tare delivers his lyrics. Most importantly; I love how its best enjoyed during the summer. It only comes around once a year and its best to bask in it now while we have it.

I hope with this article I have introduced you to some really solid artists. In an industry plagued by nameless faces its great to hear something truly unique edge its way out of the bright horizon.