Father John Misty is the pseudonym of Josh Tillman (also known and loved as J. Tillman and the drummer of Fleet Foxes) who is signed to Seattle super-label Sub Pop (and to the equally great Bella Union for us Europeans). He is releasing an album, titled Fear Fun, on the 1st of May. The album itself is said to have come from an “Immobilizing period of depression”, although those expecting delicate self-pity may be disappointed. Tillman has stressed his desire to create an album that represents himself truly, a firm step away from what he refers to as the “wound licking” of his previous albums that led to him becoming detached from events in his life and from other people. He says he wants to hear “someone rip off their own arm and beat themselves with it”. He was determined to “put my preciousness at stake in order to find something worth singing about”.

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In the first single, Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings (which you can listen to and download using the clever widget above), Tillman’s true self is symbolised with feverish intensity and drug-addled folk rock & roll. The accompanying video stars comedian Aubrey Plaza (of Parks & Recreation) dancing at a funeral before getting into a fight inside a strange red-lit dust cloud.

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A second song (and video – this one is almost more weird than the first, featuring neon-soaked karaoke, a hotel room, a dominatrix and nudity) named Nancy From Now On has also been released.

– Liam –