Montreal singer-songwriter Patrick Watson has announced his new album Uh Oh, scheduled for release on September 26 through Secret City Records. The 11-track collection emerged from an unexpected creative challenge: Watson lost his voice completely for three months, uncertain whether he would sing again.
Rather than retreat, the Polaris Prize winner transformed this setback into a collaborative venture. Watson enlisted guests ranging from Martha Wainwright and Charlotte Cardin to lesser-known artists he discovered on Instagram, including Solann. The album also features Klô Pelgag, MARO, Hohnen Ford, November Ultra, Anachnid, Charlotte Oleena, and La Force.
“Every artist on this record has different magical powers, and every song represents that in some way,” Watson explains in the album announcement. The project allowed him to focus on instrumental composition and songwriting for other voices while his own recovered.
Today’s single, “Peter and the Wolf,” showcases Watson’s restored vocals alongside his characteristic cinematic arrangements. He describes the track as inspired by both the darkness of Quebec forests and the ghostly atmosphere of New Orleans at night, where he witnessed a sleek car moving slowly down the street with bass so powerful it vibrated nearby windows.
Watch the video below:
This marks Watson’s first full album since 2022’s Better in the Shade. The artist, whose “Je te laisserai des mots” became the first French-language song to reach one billion streams on Spotify last December, recorded Uh Oh across multiple locations including Montreal, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Paris. Despite the global recording process, Watson maintained his minimalist approach, using only two microphones and typically completing tracks in one or two takes.
The album’s concept reflects Watson’s philosophy that life consists of a series of “uh ohs” – moments ranging from childhood accidents to major anxieties. For a professional singer, losing one’s voice represents perhaps the ultimate “uh oh,” yet Watson’s response demonstrates how creative constraints can spark unexpected artistic directions.
Uh Oh continues Watson’s exploration of the intersection between popular and avant-garde music, a balance that has defined his two-decade career and earned him gold and platinum certifications across multiple countries.
UH OH TRACKLIST
1. Silencio – Patrick Watson & November Ultra
2. Peter and the Wolf – Patrick Watson
3. The Wandering – Patrick Watson & MARO
4. Choir in the Wires – Patrick Watson
5. Uh Oh – Patrick Watson & Charlotte Oleena
6. The Lonely Lights – Patrick Watson & La Force
7. Ami imaginaire – Patrick Watson & Klô Pelgag
8. Postcards – Patrick Watson & Hohnen Ford
9. House on Fire – Patrick Watson & Martha Wainwright
10. Gordon in the Willows – Patrick Watson & Charlotte Cardin
11. Ça va – Patrick Watson & Solann
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Photos – Lawrence Fafard and Steve Gerrard
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