Father John Misty's 'Mahashmashana' Review

The title of Father John Misty's sixth studio album, “Mahashmashana,” is a reference to cremation, and the first song proposes “a corpse dance.” Religious overtones mix with the undercurrent of a midlife crisis atop his folk chamber pop. And for those despairing recent events, some lyrics seem topical.“It’s always the darkest right before the end,” Misty sings on “Screamland,” a power ballad full of desperation and overdriven amplifiers. His advice: “Stay young, get numb, keep dreaming.”“Screamland” is one of eight songs on “Mahashmashana,” Misty’s jaundiced, smart, cynical, droll, druggy, opaque, arch, theatrical take on life – and death. The album will be released Friday, Nov. 22.Misty, the stage name for Josh Tillman, describes himself in one song as a windbag. While that’s a bit harsh, the album will delight those who enjoy listening to music with a dictionary.“Shaken like a pawl fly/obscene as a lick,” Misty sings on the title cut. “Panoply,” “panopticon” and “the Anthropocene” also receive mentions.Misty…