Father John Misty, The Old Law | Song Review

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Father John Misty impresses with his skillful pen and top-notch musicianship once more on his single, “The Old Law.”

Father John Misty (Josh Tillman) sings, colorfully in the first verse of his single, “The Old Law”.  Tillman continues, intriguingly and poetically, “I met a musing gospel in the bathetic, it made its way / To my red-hilt brain.” If it isn’t already clear, Father John Misty continues to show why he is an elite songwriter.  His magic with words is consistently a thing of beauty on “The Old Law,” which he produced with Drew Erickson. Additionally, the music is awe-inspiring as well.

The musicianship is top-notch on “The Old Law.” There are great musical underpinnings, namely the harmonic progression, which expands beyond those three chords and the truth. A great groove established by the drums.  There is a fantastic mix of acoustic and electric guitars.  I particularly love the tone of the electric guitar. Beyond his marvelous pen, Father John Misty delivers a strong vocal performance.  The vocal production alone is on point.  Matching the phenomenally clever and entertaining songwriting (“Pick me the sling, you little clopilet drying / Matte Mac boy, hairy guys”) are consistently lovely melodies. The chorus, the crowning achievement, takes the cake:

“A man’s life, God’s trash

There’s no law but the old law, baby

Pet it for, nothing dies

Except by except by a strong kamikaze

Year zero in the summertime

Year zero in the summertime.”

All told, Father John Misty continues to show he is on another level when it comes to songwriting.  “The Old Law” is elite.  Great vocals, great songwriting, great production, great everything.  No notes, FJM! 

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Father John Misty » “The Old Law” » Josh Tillman / Sub Pop Records » 1.9.26 [📷: Josh Tillman / Sub Pop Records]

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