Anthem +3

Released in July 2020, Anthem +3 is an EP that serves as a somber reflection of the early pandemic era, though its contents were recorded at various points. The centerpiece is a cover of Leonard Cohen’s 'Anthem,' which Tillman originally recorded in 2017. The EP also features covers of Link Wray’s 'Fallin’ Rain,' Cat Stevens’ 'Trouble,' and another Cohen classic, 'One of Us Cannot Be Wrong.' Sonically, the project moves away from the orchestral folk-rock of I Love You, Honeybear toward a more hushed, chamber-pop sound. The production is characterized by heavy reverb, prominent piano, and gospel-inflected backing vocals that lend the tracks a spiritual, almost mournful quality. Critically, the EP was noted for its sincerity; by choosing songs that deal with existential dread and the search for light in the darkness, Tillman aligned his persona with a more vulnerable, less satirical tradition of songwriting. It stands as a bridge between the maximalism of his mid-career work and the more traditional pop-vocalist explorations found on later albums.