Vancouver musician Dan Mangan has long been known for creating music that offers comfort and reflection during challenging times. His new album, Natural Light, released May 16, 2025, builds on his polished folk sound with honest, introspective lyrics featured in songs like Cut the Brakes, Diminishing Returns, and Soapbox. The latter has been a staple at his live shows for years, addressing why people repeat negative patterns like fear and hatred despite the benefits of kindness.
The album title came unexpectedly during a shower when Mangan noticed natural light filtering through blinds, inspiring the image of sunlight revealing dust particles—an apt metaphor for the album’s intimate and revealing nature.
The opening track, It Might Be Raining, was inspired by his reflections on parenting and the inevitable hardships his children will face growing up in a world both different and similar to his own. The album was recorded over six spontaneous days by a lake with longtime collaborators Don Kerr, Jason Haberman, and Mike O’Brien, capturing a rare creative energy.
Mangan embraces the role of an artist as a commentator on social and political issues, believing great art is often political and acts as a connector that reflects inner truths and unites people. The video for Diminishing Returns captures a sunny day in Vancouver, blending climate change awareness with an appreciation for everyday joy.
Through Natural Light, Dan Mangan offers listeners a raw, hopeful exploration of human nature and the world’s complexities, encouraging kindness and presence despite uncertainty.
Source: Swifteradio.com
