More about: Father John Misty

It’s been a whole four years since Father John Misty last released an album and a lot has changed in the world. You know what hasn’t though? Josh Tillman’s penchant for witticism over lush sonic spheres. Chloë and the Next 20th Century sees Tillman embrace Hollywood’s Golden Age with more musical cues inspired by the silver screen’s black and white era than you could shake an entire tree at.

That’s not a bad thing though and it works with great effect on tracks such as ‘Kiss Me (I Loved You)’, ‘Funny Girl’, and ‘Only A Fool’. The real highlight is Tillman going back to his folkish roots with ‘Goodbye, Mr Blue’ painting a story that only Tillman could feasibly tell without becoming a self-parodying fool. 

There are hints to his previous work. The luscious ‘Q4’ sounds close to an off-cut from 2018’s God’s Favourite Customer with a hint of 2015’s I Love You, Honeybear.

Chloë and The Next 20th Century is an album with a lot to love, though it does outstay its welcome just a little bit by dragging to the end. It’s certainly not a bad album—we’re not sure Tillman has that in his bones—but it could be a little tighter to remove its more meandering moments. Nonetheless, a new Father John Misty album is good news for all and a worthy listen for the romantics among us.

Chloë and The Next 20th Century is out now.

Grab your copy of the Gigwise print magazine here.

More about: Father John Misty