Not many albums have aged this well at the five-year mark, but 'Pure Comedy' is as tragically foreboding in hindsight as well as holding darker implications for context in the years to come.
Despite being a polarising and bold exercise in self-indulgence from Josh Tillman, the risk has ultimately proven to pay off in spades as the melancholia-ridden commentary on the decline of modern civilisation is even more relevant today than it was then. It's hard to draw on an album that boldly explores an individual's dysphoria with such detail and articulation than this one. Maybe 'Helplessness Blues', 'As Days Get Dark' or any decent Death Metal release from the last few years, but neither address misanthropy with a unique edge and humour.
'Things That Would've Been Helpful to Know Before the Revolution', the title track, and 'In Twenty Years Or So' all have aged very well. The 17-piece accompaniment adds even more depth to the trademark, lush instrumentals from his previous masterpiece/love letter, 'I Love You, Honeybear'. Both releases are stellar, but ‘Pure Comedy’ now defines a more universal experience than the initial love story of the Tillmans.
Tillman will be returning in April with his 5th album under the moniker, which is shaping up to be the spiritual successor to PC. ‘Chloe and the Next 20th Century’ is releasing in just over a month, and the singles are pointing to one of the year's best.
In the meantime, we have ‘Pure Comedy’ in both the standard and the grammy-winning deluxe edition to tide you over and bring everyone up to speed in anticipation of another gem from another modern songwriting genius.
'Pure Comedy' and other works are available in the Store now.