Album Review: Father John Misty - God's Favourite Customer

Regardless of your opinion of Father John Misty's Josh Tillman, you've got to admit he's doing mighty well for a self-described narcissistic misanthrope.

After three albums of high budget, lyrically rich singer-songwriter music, Tillman is back with even more musings and revelations on God's Favourite Customer. Much like on Pure Comedy, the piano plays a central role on many of these songs. The pairing of keys and Tillman's confidently theatrical voice on a song like Just Dumb Enough To Try even recalls certain shades of Elton John.

The recent trend of male indie crooners attempting some falsetto really doesn't do any favours for the respectability of the genre. Lord knows Tillman himself was guilty of it on 2015's slightly embarrassing True Affection. But on tracks like Hangout At The Gallows and Date Night, he deftly mixes the highs and lows of his voice to really hammer certain lyrics home. And while Tillman has always been an above average lyricist, God's Favourite Customer sees the artist finally embracing his own soul without hiding behind layers of irony to deny his vulnerability.

If Pure Comedy was Tillman's sardonic yet ultimately pointless attack on society, God's Favourite Customer is the slow realization that improving your world first begins by looking within.