Heartfelt and outspoken, Father John Misty, the moniker of Josh Tillman’s recent release Mahashmashana, is a collection of songs that intertwine Tillman’s growth and evolution as an artist. It is his most recent release since Chloe and the Next 20th Century (2022). The album’s title refers to the Sanskrit word for “great cremation ground.” The songs showcase Tillman’s craft and work as a whole. The musical journey Tillman takes listeners on is filled with tying humanity and solitude into one. Combining orchestral pop elements and meshing them with Tillman’s ambitious vocals make for a ride that forges through hardship and perseverance.

The opening title track opens with a soaring sweep of strings, piano chords, and mesmerizing acoustics that take up the song’s production. As the longest song off the album, “Mahashmashana” welcomes listeners as a slow burner that gradually builds itself into a crescendo of strength and variation. Lyrically, the song’s theme is about death and disillusionment.

The following track, “She Cleans Up,” transitions the album’s pace into a rocking tune combined with its eccentric “lo-fi” music video that will surely please any Tillman fan grooving into the night. Contrastingly, “Josh Tillman and the Accidental Dose” brings listeners back to reality as a solemn piano ballad. The use of guitar arrangements and Tillman’s witty vocal delivery make for a mix of adventure and familiarity within his body of work. The song’s narrative is often trippy and sad in its message to listeners. The realization of opportunities they won’t be able to pursue if they’ve let it pass them by. “Mental Health,” another piano-driven ballad, mainly focuses on Tillman’s mental stability and dissects it cynically. Lyrically, Tillman’s tone throughout the song questions the opportunistic side of mental health. Tillman questions this issue through a satirical approach. The song’s production is filled with dreamy and potent instrumentation.

The complimenting “Screamland” represents the catharsis of Mahashmashana, starting with Tillman’s haunting vocals and lush strings that sonically soar into the anthemic chorus. “Stay young/get numb/keep dreamin’/Screamland.” The track is climatic, and catchy post-rock melodies cut straight through listeners’ eardrums. Moving onward is “Being You” narratively, the song is a slow burner playing with the familiarity of a relationship between the protagonist and a person they once knew. Ticking synths are reminiscent of time and essence between Tillman’s description of a love that theoretically could be romantic or platonic. The lyrics and instrumentation emphasize the protagonist and other person growing apart. Listeners will be enthralled with Tillman’s use of storytelling and relatable conversations between the two, wondering what it would be like to experience life in the other person’s shoes.

Pushing ahead is the culmination of “I Guess Time Just Makes Fools of Us All,” an eight-minute feast of rhythmic disco tones in the background and grand production. Melodically, the song alludes to Tillman’s career’s highs and lows. The song is a departure from his usual piano ballads; instead, Tillman experiments with lyric structure while emphasizing the message of rebirth and growth gradually by the end of the track. The album’s closer, “Summer’s Gone,” thematically focuses on time quickly passing listeners by while leaving idyllic memories in the past. Tillman’s raw vocal performance, set against rich strings and mellow piano arrangement, reflects the musical journey that is coming to an end. Tillman’s beginnings started with fear and rebirth and continued through raising a family. Mahashmashana is a record that stands true to itself and its satirical message surrounding an artist’s fear, death, and resurrection.

Produced by Drew Erickson, Josh Tillman, and Jonathan Wilson. Mahashmashana is filled with memorable lyrics, catchy melodies, and experimental consistency throughout its journey. Tillman’s sixth studio album builds on Orchestral Pop, Art Rock, and ear-catchy structures that may initially push back listeners at first glance. But with time, Mahashmashana will slowly captivate audiences with its memorable lyric structures and musical undertones that make this an unforgettable experience. Recommended for fans of Tillman’s earlier work reminiscent of Pure Comedy, including experimental music structures and Tillman’s emotional experiences throughout this record. Tillman pushes the Indie Rock scope boundaries of what may be his finest album to date.