Review Summary: Living, breathing, human warmth
First things first:
Better In The Shade is not nearly as crushing as Patrick Watson's last full-length, 2019's
Wave. That album came out during an exceedingly difficult period of the songwriter's life, which is immediately evident through the palpable sense of grief in the music, which no amount of sheer musical beauty (and there's a lot) can erase. Meanwhile,
Better In The Shade adopts a wider emotional range while also diversifying sonically. It's readily apparent as a Patrick Watson release, though, with the man's sensitive vocals often at the forefront and the cinematic stylings sometimes simplistically (if accurately) described as "folkier Radiohead" still prevailing. Watson leans further here towards his experimental tendencies which were largely absent on
Wave, while also adopting a fair amount of pop influence. Let's not let these observations obscure the most important shift, however:
Better In The Shade is far more emotionally ambiguous than its predecessor. The songs are often melancholy, sure, but any sadness is balanced with a sense of romance and even joy.
Better In The Shade is a very short release, especially if considered by the standards of a full-length album, which is apparently the artistic intent. It is comprised of seven songs totaling under twenty-two minutes. They're all damn good though, and they flow together wonderfully. In addition, there's a lovely sense of variety, with a song like the sensuous "Height Of The Feeling" leaning so far towards pop that it doesn't seem too wild to imagine someone like Justin Timberlake singing it (to be clear, the tune is still far too dreamy and off-kilter to scratch the top 40), while the openly experimental closer "Stay" (featuring ambient folk artist Sea Oleena) sees Patrick Watson as his least accessible. The album reaches its apogee with centerpiece "Little Moments", an absolutely gorgeous stunner of a track. It's a monumental highlight which also forms the first half of an excellent 1-2 punch with "Blue", both pieces with enigmatic lyrics which will almost certainly hit you in the feels, one way or another.
I can't speak for everyone, but it's fair to say that most people have had a tough last few years. Whether it's a pandemic and the ensuing sense of isolation, jarring political developments, war in Eastern Europe, or the increasing awareness that omnipresent technology is disproportionately empowering the worst aspects of human nature (need I go on?), it's been a disorienting time to be alive. Quite frankly, I'm not sure what mood Patrick Watson is aiming to set with
Better In The Shade, and that's what makes it so great. This is unsettled music for an unsettled era, the kind of songs which can sometimes make you feel euphoric and sometimes make you feel down-hearted (sometimes even both at the same time). Through it all, though, these tunes are the sonic equivalent of living, breathing, human warmth. Who could ask for anything more?
