Out now: Patrick Watson – Uh Oh

Patrick Watson releases Uh Oh, a deeply personal 11-track collection that investigates the idea of life as being a series of “uh ohs”: a little phrase uttered in response to everything from childhood accidents to our most overwhelming anxieties. The songs on this album were written during a period where Watson was experiencing his own career-threatening “uh oh” – he’d lost his voice. Unsure if he would ever sing again, he composed the album as a collection of collaborations with friends and strangers who would sing his songs when he couldn’t. It’s the culmination of 20 years of musical exploration, and a showcase for the unique cinematic textures that have brought Watson immense acclaim and billions of streams over his celebrated career.

Most of the songs on Uh Oh see Watson and his band, long-time bandmates, collaborator and multi-instrumentalist Mishka Stein, and Olivier Fairfield and co-vocalist Ariel Engle—a.k.a. La Force) joined by a guest singer, ranging from the iconic voices he’s idolized for years (Martha Wainwright) to ones he discovered through Instagram scrolling (Solann); a local Quebec favorite (Klô Pelgag) to international phenoms (MARO, Hohnen Ford, November Ultra); from JUNO Award-winning pop star (Charlotte Cardin), to Félix award winner (Anachnid), to a friend he met when she worked the counter at this local coffee shop (Charlotte Oleena).

Watson utilised a minimalist approach when tracking the new album, recording in locations around the world (Montreal, New Orleans, L.A., Mexico City, Paris) and cutting takes with only 2 microphones. Seeking to capture the power of the moment, he limited each track to 1-2 takes in order to achieve spontaneity with his guests. This approach is demonstrated by the haunting, ethereal qualities of many of these tracks, and Watson even studied the low-end and hi-hat mix on Cardi B’s “Up” to get the album’s sound just right.

Stream / purchase Uh Oh here.