Father John Misty
I Love You Honeybear
Reviewed by: Lauren Rosier
One of the things I enjoy the most about music is that when musicians decide they want to make a solo album separate from their main gig. Josh Tillman, also know as J. Tillman, is a former member of the indie rock bands Fleet Foxes and Saxon Shore. Tillman released his first solo record, Fear Fun, in 2012, under the moniker Father John Misty, and now has delighted his fans with his sophomore release, I Love You Honeybear.
Much of the album is an ode to his wife, Emma, and his love for her. How adorable, huh? One of the aspects of Tillman’s previous record that I’ve always loved was his off-the-wall lyrics about his off-the-wall experiences. Honeybear is full of that and maybe even more than Fear Fun.
One of the first singles of the record, “Chateau Lobby 4 (In C For 2 Virgins)”, has got to be one the best tracks I’ve heard by Tillman. The song is about his wife and their dating and sex life together. The lyrics are so weirdly amazing: “First time you let me stay the night / Despite your own rules / You took off early to go cheat your way through film school / You left a note in your perfect script / Stay as long as you want / I haven’t left your bed since…”
Tillman creates a gem with electronic indie track, “True Affection”. It’s something different from him and contrary to what you might think, the electronic aspect of the song blends together perfectly with the rest of the indie folk sound of the record.
At first listen, the I wasn’t sure about how I felt about it, but upon endlessly listening to this record, you realize that Tillman is really one of the great musicians in the indie music scene. He’s different, unique, and brilliant all at the same time. I Love You Honeybear is an excellent example of a superb sophomore effort.
Rating: Bad-Ass
