The Weather Station
Humanhood
Fat Possum Records [2025]
“Humanhood captures the pulse of our times with a wider sound, daring soundscapes and profoundly human storytelling that we have come to expect from The Weather Station.”
Album Overview: The Weather Station is the project of Canadian singer-songwriter Tamara Lindeman, who has built a reputation for crafting music that merges introspection with broader cultural and environmental themes. Since her debut in 2009, Lindeman has steadily expanded her sound, evolving from stripped-down folk roots to more layered and experimental sonic landscapes. With her 2021 album Ignorance, she earned widespread praise for intertwining personal reflections with global concerns, particularly around climate change. Humanhood, The Weather Station’s seventh studio album, reflects an emotional journey through disconnection and self-discovery. Recorded during a tumultuous period in Lindeman’s life, the album captures the complexity of navigating personal crises amidst global instability. Its structure mirrors this process, transitioning fluidly between moments of clarity and abstraction. Through Humanhood, Lindeman explores identity, embodiment, and the interconnectedness of individual and collective experiences, ultimately celebrating human resilience and imperfection.
Musical Style: The album blends organic and electronic textures, combining traditional folk influences, experimental improvisation, and contemporary pop sensibilities. Acoustic instruments like clarinet and piano are paired with digital tones, creating a sound that feels both grounded and otherworldly. Rhythms alternate between steady grooves and fractured patterns, giving the record a dynamic sense of movement. Humanhood represents her most expansive sound to date.
Evolution of Sound: While Ignorance introduced elements of pop and jazz into The Weather Station’s palette, Humanhood pushes these boundaries further. Lindeman experiments with free-form structures and instrumental interludes, creating a seamless flow between tracks. She incorporates improvisational techniques and intricate arrangements, showcasing a bolder approach to both songwriting and production.
Artists with Similar Fire: Fans of Aldous Harding, Julia Holter, or Big Thief will appreciate the adventurous and emotive qualities of Humanhood. The album also resonates with listeners of Joni Mitchell’s later, jazz-inspired works, Kate Bush’s atmospheric storytelling, and Tori Amos’ elegant vocal delivery and song structures.
Pivotal Tracks: After a one-minute interlude, the opening track, “Neon Signs,” sets the stage with its evocative exploration of contemporary struggles. It also features one of the catchiest rhythms on the record. “Body Moves” stands out with its compelling mix of spiritual yearning and pop immediacy. The title track, “Humanhood,” bridges urban and natural imagery, emphasizing the album’s thematic heart with layers of intertwining instruments that nearly overtake Lindeman’s vocals. “Sewing,” the closing piece, ties together the album’s emotional and sonic threads, reflecting a sense of fragile but determined renewal as the track fades into the night.
Lyrical Strength: Lindeman’s lyrics on Humanhood move beyond personal narrative, often delving into broader philosophical territory. Her words examine themes of uncertainty, connection, and the physicality of existence with vivid imagery and poignant observations. The lyrics feel conversational yet profound, inviting listeners to grapple with complex emotions while leaving space for interpretation.
Final Groove: Humanhood is an album that rewards careful listening, offering a deeply emotional and thought-provoking experience. Lindeman’s ability to weave intricate arrangements, poignant lyrics, and build bigger expansive soundscapes results in a work that feels both intimate and universal. While the album’s experimental elements and bigger production may challenge some long time fans, its emotional resonance and artistic ambition make it another solid release in her discography.
THE WEATHER STATION REVIEW HISTORY
How Is It That I Should Look At The Stars (2022) / Ignorance (2021)
THE WEATHER STATION LINKS
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Fat Possum Records
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