Tony Clayton-Lea on albums: Father John Misty remains his oddly compelling old self

The acclaimed US singer/songwriter reaches for every style from country to bossa nova on his idiosyncratic new album

Father John Misty: a creative gadfly who has worked and collaborated with such diverse acts as Fleet Foxes, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Damien Jurado

SINGER-SONGWRITER: Father John Misty; Chloë and the Next 20th Century (Bella Union)

Father John Misty (aka Joshua Tillman) is one of contemporary music’s mavericks, a creative gadfly who has worked and collaborated with such diverse acts as Fleet Foxes, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Damien Jurado. On his latest album, Misty/Tillman has reined in his tendency for artistic bravado and delivered a suite of songs that reflect his love of classic/vintage pop songwriting. Cue hints of Randy Newman (We Could Be Strangers) and Harry Nilsson (Goodbye Mr Blue), while strains of country music and bossa nova appear elsewhere. Odd and compelling in equal measure. ***