Natural Light is the ninth album by Canadian singer-songwriter Dan Mangan, released May 16, 2025, on Arts & Crafts Productions."Beloved B.C. musician Dan Mangan on his new album, Natural Light". CBC News British Columbia, May 17, 2025. His first time recording a full album with his touring band of guitarist Mike O'Brien, bassist Jason Haberman and drummer Don Kerr, the album arose out of workshop sessions at Haberman's Southern Ontario cottage, which had originally been intended as simple rehearsals and song workshopping in preparation for later recording sessions, but which ultimately produced the completed album.Stuart Derdeyn, "Dan Mangan brightens up dark times with new album Natural Light". Vancouver Sun, May 12, 2025.
Before recording the album, Mangan had considered calling his next album Schminger Schmongwriter.Allie Gregory, "Dan Mangan Unveils New Album 'Natural Light'". Exclaim!, March 6, 2025. Several of the album's songs were written years earlier, and some were even under consideration for inclusion on his prior albums More or Less and Being Somewhere.Nick Krewen, "Dan Mangan records new album Natural Light in one week at a cottage". Words & Music, May 27, 2025.
Additional guest musicians on the album included Begonia on backing vocals, Emily Steinwall on saxophone, and Jesse Zubot on violin.
The album was preceded by the preview singles "Melody" and "Cut the Brakes".Allie Gregory, "Dan Mangan Announces 'Natural Light' Tour". Exclaim!, April 8, 2025.
Critical response Alex Hudson of Exclaim! positively reviewed the album, writing that "it's an album of grandeur (the horn crescendo of "I Hated Love Songs" leading into the strange pitter-patter sound collage of "Contained Free") and wide-lens lyricism (the political teachings of the aptly named "Soapbox"). But, most importantly, it's full of stripped-down introspection from someone who's really good at that sort of thing."Alex Hudson, "Dan Mangan Finds His Sweet Spot on 'Natural Light'". Exclaim!, May 16, 2025.
For the Vancouver Sun, Stuart Derdeyn compared the album to Blue Rodeo's classic album Five Days in July, which was created through a similar process of demo recordings that unexpectedly cohered into a complete album.
Track listing All songs written by Dan Mangan, Mike O'Brien, Jason Haberman and Don Kerr, with additional collaborators Leith Ross on "My Dreams Are Getting Weirder", J.E. Sunde on "Diminishing Returns", and Mike Castle on "I Hated Love Songs".
Personnel Credits adapted from Tidal. Dan Mangan – production (all tracks), vocals (tracks 1–3, 5–13), percussion (1–3, 6, 9, 13), acoustic guitar (1, 2, 6–13), background vocals (2), synthesizer (3, 10, 11); bird song, electric guitar (3); kalimba (4), piano (6, 10, 11) Jason Haberman – production, mixing (all tracks); bass (tracks 1–3, 6–13), percussion (1–3, 6, 7, 9, 13), synthesizer (1, 4, 6, 8), Wurlitzer electric piano (1), autoharp (2), chimes (7, 12), kalimba (7), electric guitar (8), background vocals (13) Don Kerr – production (all tracks), drums (tracks 1–3, 6–13), percussion (1–3, 6–9, 13), synthesizer (1, 3, 6–8, 11), kalimba (2), vocals (9), background vocals (11, 13), chimes (12), acoustic guitar (13) Mike O'Brien – production (all tracks), electric guitar (tracks 1–3, 6, 8, 9, 11–13), percussion (1–3, 6, 9, 13), background vocals (2, 11, 13), melodica (2), acoustic guitar (3, 6, 10, 13), synthesizer (4, 8, 9), vocals (6, 9), glockenspiel (7) Gavin Gardiner – mastering Jesse Zubot – violin (tracks 1, 10) Emily Steinwall – saxophone (tracks 3, 13) Tom Richards – trombone (tracks 3, 13) Rebecca Hennessy – trumpet (tracks 3, 13) Marcel lí Bayer – clarinet, saxophone (tracks 6, 11); flute (11) Begonia – background vocals (track 12)
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