Written by LDS & Vanessa Burton, April 2015 

9 / 10

GENRE – Indie / Folk

OK so we’re just going to come out and say it, this is definitely one of our favourite albums of the year to date. 

Plucking up the courage to approach a girl in a supermarket car-park who later went on to become his wife, the self-appointed Reverend of folk Joshua Tillman AKA Father John Misty is back with an epic album release that tells the tale of happiness through a back story of self-loathing.

 

‘I Love You Honey Bear’ (2015) is an album without fillers, a story of happiness found in a time of doubt. It salutes the past but ultimately embraces the raw emotion and vulnerability of the present underlining the personal evolution of the artist.

“…I want to take you in the kitchen, lift up your wedding dress someone was probably murdered in…” 

(Chateau Lobby #4)

Whilst staying true to his folk roots throughout; the album does cross several genres including a more futuristic lo-fi dance number with ‘True Affection’ and a modern country vibe in ‘Strange Encounter’ which gives a glint of ‘Hotel California’, a real heart-drawn hand-clapper destined for repeat.

 

“…I’ve never done this, baby be gentle… its my first time…” 

(Chateau Lobby #4)

Tillman is poetic in delivery blending both romance with an ironic decaying outlook on society. The album could translate as love found in an apocalypse. It has a profound ‘fuck you’ attitude to any perceived threat on his happiness, delivered no more obvious than in ‘Nothing Good Ever Happens at the Goddam Thirsty Crow’. A collection of southern ballads summarising the beautiful ironies of life, so sweet and sour, bitter yet optimistic, clutching at his female equivalent, perhaps imperfect yet deeply beautiful. By no means perfect either, he spills his guts on all of his less proud moments in ‘The Ideal Husband’. However, Tillman is clearly dedicated in his cause yet also remains quite realistic of a happy-ever-after in a less than perfect world.

The Final Word:

The depth of this record is indisputable, a joy to listen to over and over and you’ll still continue to pick up on small details and messages with each listen. It’s soothing yet stimulating so dim the lights, pour yourself (and your mates) a drink and settle in. This album is as reliable as your old dear’s cooking.