Album review: I Love You, Honeybear – Father John Misty

After a meandering musical career, Father John Misty seems to have settled reasonably well in the solo realm. Emma Tillman

I Love You, Honeybear

Father John Misty

(Sub Pop)

Three Stars

The singer-songwriter Father John Misty's meandering musical career seems to have settled reasonably well in the solo realm. His latest album, I Love You, Honeybear, offers a lush look at love, life and the curiosities that complicate it all. Joshua Tillman, who performs as Father John Misty, sings beautifully when he does not have to flex his vocal cords too much on the often wordy 11-track album. The lyrics are heavy, and perhaps only the literary cognoscenti will catch all of his nuances. If there's a post-sadcore movement these days, Misty is its likely leader. He writes disaffected lyrics about relationships gone wrong and knows who to blame for their undoing. But often there's barely any room for the music to breathe, as on I Love You, Honeybear and Chateau Lobby #4. When Misty does pause for air, he's fine on standout songs, such as Bored in the USA.