Disc Review: Father John Misty - "Chloe and the Next Twentieth Century": Sleepy Hollywood Fantasy

When the World Was Black and White: Modern Human Hatred Meets Musical Nostalgia on Josh Tillman’s new album. Photo: PROMO

Album: Pop
Father John Misty
Chloe and the next twentieth century
(Bella Union/PIAS)

Father John Misty harkens back to the interwar period in a wonderful album that works on sharper edges.

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Less than 20 minutes ago

A romantic born in the wrong century? A human-hating satire with a vigilant eye for the lack of meaning in life? The kind of pop lyricist and composer that you have to go back to Randy Newman and Harry Nelson to find something like?

At best, the music of former drummer Josh Tillman is all of these things at once, sandwiched between irony, fervor, nihilism, nostalgia, social criticism and self-loathing.

Tillman’s fifth album on Father John Misty’s title, “Chloe and the Next Twentieth Century,” is an extension of the project and a minute return – more specifically to the great American songbook, published via Tin Pan Alley on 20 and 30.

Album review: Sondre Lerche “Love Avatar”: Low Love Song

Sondre Lerche is haunted by love in the forces of darkness and finds an impressive career peak.

He’s played with that expression many times before, but here’s the contrast between the meticulously orchestrated jazz story (produced by Jonathan Wilson) and the bitter stories from the glamorous death mill of modern Hollywood is more striking than ever. Thus, it is a pity that the material of the song does not reach the goal.

The lyrics are still miles above average. Take, for example, the following shot from the frivolous opening track jazz-swinging “Chloë”:

Summer is over on the balcony
Placed on “Flight of the Valkyries”
On her thirtieth birthday party
jumped in the autumn leaves

It’s far from the only syllable tempting to quote it.

Record review: Aldous Harding – “Warm Chris”: honest, quirky and a great fit

Aldous Harding makes quirky folk-pop sound simple and logical.

Musically, it wasn’t good either: many of the tunes are nice, but it lacks a little extra that makes the highlights here – Cohen’s “Friends’ Date”, pop-baroque “Q4” and bossa nova caramel’s “Olvidado (Otro Momento)” – Do not forget.

And “Goodbye Mr. Blue” is so close to “Everybody’s Talkin'” that it’s seen as a burglary.

“Chloe and the Next Twentieth Century” is a very enjoyable and sometimes rewarding listening experience. Sharp edges are still required.

Best Song: “Q4”