God’s Favorite Customer

Released in 2018, God’s Favorite Customer marks a significant tonal shift for Josh Tillman, moving away from the sociopolitical grandiosity of Pure Comedy toward a deeply personal, almost diaristic exploration of a mental health crisis. Written during a period of self-imposed exile in a hotel, the album is characterized by its 'hotel-room' aesthetic - sparse, immediate, and emotionally raw. Sonically, it leans into 1970s soft-rock and piano-balladry, heavily influenced by the 'Plastic Ono Band' era of John Lennon. Unlike his previous work, which often utilized a layer of ironic distance, this album is noted for its startling sincerity and vulnerability. It serves as a bridge between his larger-than-life Misty persona and his more grounded, folk-oriented roots, focusing on themes of marital strain, isolation, and the search for redemption within one's own failures.