1. Unlike Python, Clojure actually is functional and is optimized for it, with persistent immutable data structures and a huge library for functional transformations. You get faster, more expressive code in Clojure than in Python if you’re doing FP.

2. The REPL is not on par. You can run an in-editor REPL and build your entire program in a REPL session. Combined with tap you can visualize your output on the fly.

3. Macros are used, not looked down upon. But they are discouraged when not needed. Much of the power and succinctness of the language comes from macros. Boilerplate is a solved problem.

There are a lot of subtle and less obvious advantages too, like namespaced keywords, a highly productive and creative niche community, a very composable and simple library ecosystem and a huge emphasis on stability.

But disadvantages exist too. The Clojure toolchain has a nice surface but is more involved under the hood. There’s also not a single happy path framework for the web, but rather a variety of library options. Finally, Clojure isn’t the best fit for certain types of programs, it’s really optimized for applications and data centric stuff.