Father John Misty has returned with a brand new single, “The Payoff,” now available via Sub Pop. The track marks a continuation of his creative partnership with producer Drew Erickson, who has been instrumental in the sound of Misty’s previous two studio albums. Erickson, known for his frequent work with high-profile artists such as Lana Del Rey and Angel Olsen, brings a polished, expansive quality to the new release.
“The Payoff” serves as the second Father John Misty offering of 2026, arriving on the heels of the January one-off release, “The Old Law.” This latest single follows the 2024 release of his most recent studio album, Mahashmashana. Currently, the artist is in the midst of an extensive tour supporting that record, with a busy summer schedule featuring performances across Europe, the UK, and North America.
The release of “The Payoff” follows a productive period for the artist, who in 2025 shared a collection of archival demos from the sessions that eventually formed his 2015 breakthrough album, I Love You, Honeybear. Fans interested in a deeper look at his career trajectory can also revisit his inclusion in The 200 Most Important Artists of Pitchfork’s First 25 Years.
