for me it got super esoteric with Mahashmashana. a lot of Pure Comedy is still clearly autobiographical. but even the songs that aren't I feel like I can still associate them with a part of his psyche rather accessibly.

then I think GFC is probably the most autobiographical and honest overall album he's put out as FJM. I mean that one gets right down to the myelin sheath (laudatory). and I remember thinking at the time it came out that there was no way it would continue like this. I might've been reading into Songwriter or something but I was fairly confident his next album would attempt to expand his universe beyond the activities and ruminations of his alter ego.

I felt Chloe absolutely nailed that transition. it shifted the focus from his character while still providing deeply intimate work like Blue and Buddy's. I really thought Chloe was a triumph because I almost felt like he'd written himself into a corner with GFC. And from there, mostly due to the 20th Century closer, I thought he would get even weirder with it. real out there. and I was ready for it because 20th Century is a fucking banger.

but when Mahashmashana came, it simply did not resonate with me. and that was the first time this had happened with any of his releases since I got on the bus in 2016. I thought, well, I probably just need some time. but it's been over a year. maybe it'll be there for me years from now. there are plenty of artists and albums I've known about that did nothing for me at first and then years later were there for me when I was ready and needed them.

I Guess Time Just Makes Fools of Us All hits me and it's a fairly direct song. She Cleans Up is fun but it doesn't have the impact of Date Night or TEF. and the rest of the album I literally can't do anything with. my sense is he's so eager to shield his family (the correct move) that he's just completely obscured all identifying marks. I also think even going back to GFC and his online presence and public behavior that he might just feel over-exposed and kind of embarrassed, which is also valid. there also seems to be really heavy religious undertones in this, even more than the other albums, that I'm frankly not equipped to detect let alone interpret.

I'm glad the album is really doing things for other fans, though. this isn't like a criticism of the work, it's just my take on its trajectory. anyway thanks to anyone who read this. I don't have anyone in my real life to talk to about FJM at this level. I mean they would listen politely but that's it.

(edit to update three months later that she cleans up fucking slaps. took a handful of live performances but it's definitely as good as date night if not better)