Mahashmashana, Tillman’s sixth studio album, is a sprawling meditation on humanity’s search for meaning amidst existential uncertainty. Building on the grandeur of his previous work, the album sharpens his strengths in lyricism and intricate arrangements. Spanning 50 minutes across eight tracks, it masterfully balances intimacy and enormity, offering a cohesive blend of the genres he’s explored throughout his career.
The album oscillates between rich orchestral compositions and raw, live-band energy. Incorporating woodwinds, strings, and brass alongside traditional rock instrumentation, Mahashmashana creates an immersive, cinematic atmosphere. The arrangements draw from folk, rock, and disco, emphasizing spacious melodies and dynamic shifts—all delivered with Tillman’s signature theatricality. Tillman balances biting wit with profound vulnerability, crafting lyrics that resonate emotionally and linger in the mind. His wordplay dissects universal themes with fresh imagery, exploring the human condition, society issues, and personal healing. Mahashmashana arguably contains his finest lyrics to date, inviting both an immediate connection and deeper thoughts on repeated listens.
While Chloë and The Next 20th Century (2022) leaned into vintage jazz and traditional pop, Mahashmashana returns to a broader, more familiar cohesive delivery. It revisits the lush instrumentation and grand scope of Pure Comedy but with sharper execution and streamlined storytelling. Collaborations with Drew Erickson and Jonathan Wilson refine Tillman’s orchestral sensibilities, resulting in a sound that feels both expansive and focused. Fans of Leonard Cohen’s poetic candor, Beck’s emotive arrangements on Sea Change (2002), and the cinematic flair of Bon Iver’s 22, A Million (2016) will find much to appreciate. The intricate instrumentation also evokes the sweeping beauty of Rufus Wainwright and Joanna Newsom.
“Josh Tillman and The Accidental Dose” shines as a deeply self-reflective narrative, pairing vivid storytelling with a hauntingly cyclical chorus. The nine-minute opening title track, “Mahashmashana,” offers a grand meditation on mortality and truth, blending cosmic themes with intricate orchestration. “She Cleans Up” contrasts with super upbeat vibrant rhythms and symphonic embellishments, injecting an energy into the album that has rarely appeared on a FJM record. “Screamland” captures an apocalyptic tone with sweeping arrangements and the poignant refrain, “Love must find a way,” dripping with irony and resignation. One of the most memorable moments on the album, it embodies both despair and hope. Finally, “I Guess Time Just Makes Fools of Us All” — originally released on Father John Misty’s greatest hits album earlier this year — finds its perfect home here. The eight-minute groover, complete with horns, now feels perfectly placed on Mahashmashana, gives its inclusion on the hits record purpose.
Thomas Wilde
For more of Thomas Wilde’s music reviews, check out The Fire Note
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Chloë and the Next 20th Century (Father John Misty) – music review
- Bright Future (Adrianne Lenker) – music review
- As It Ever Was, So It Will Be (The Decemberists) – music review
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