What is this unusual rhythmic effect in this song? Lotus Blossom - Michael Franks

There’s a section in this song that sounds really unusual to me. It feels like the rhythm shifts or becomes difficult to follow, but I’m not sure if it’s actually a rhythm change, a time signature change, a key change, syncopation, or something else.

Song: Lotus Blossom by Michael Franks
Timestamp: 0:56