Will Clarke’s ‘Midnight Mass’ is a Sermon Covering the Five Stages of Grief

From initial shock to eventual acceptance, Will Clarke’s Midnight Mass is a poignant exploration of the emotional phases of love and loss.

Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, DJ, broadcaster, and (now) minister, Will Clarke, is also known for his playful demeanor and embracing the joys of creating music for a living. This is evident in the way he announced a live tour in support of his debut album, Midnight Mass, facetiously teasing “retirement” with the carefully chosen words, “It’s official people, I’m hanging up my headphones…” However, this compilation is anything but facetious as Clarke and friends exquisitely articulate the grace in overcoming heartbreak.

In our time of music consumption that’s saturated by streaming of singles on demand, complete bodies of work are often overshadowed or unrecognized. Some may even ponder why Clarke chose to release an album, especially after a successful career over a decade long. But far from a frivolous endeavor, this collaborative effort is a profound creation cultivated with passion and worth the prolonged wait.

Often associated with uplifting, dancefloor-ready tracks, Clarke pivots into darker, more introspective territory with a narrative arc that mirrors the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Partnering with various recognizable names and voices throughout the collection like HAYLA, Mitch Jones, and blythe, Clarke and company’s exceptional songwriting and ability to feature vocalists while harmoniously shaping each track’s unique musical surroundings is uncanny.

As a vocal fades, music fills the open space, countering with a necessary balance of comfort or chaos. Like a Sunday worship service, the gospel is in the word while the choir and music support the gospel.

I’m nodding to the sound that’s shaped my career so far and keeping the live setting in mind, whilst showcasing my love for songwriting. Each track features a strong vocal presence from a host of amazing, talented artists, and the album in general is a huge collaborative output which makes it so special. The tracks are designed to make listeners feel something.
Will Clarke

Initial tracks “Summit” featuring Georgia Meek and “Weekend Love” with the House Gospel Choir exude joy and euphoria, capturing the intoxicating rush of new love, and the feeling of invincibility. But as the album progresses, the mood shifts. The energy becomes deliberately erratic, aligning with the non-linear experience of grief.

“Pray” featuring blythe and “Worship” featuring Karen Harding are about denial and rebuttal, each tune directing pleas to the musical heavens in hopes of closeness and reconciliation. During the chorus of “Pray,” blythe’s howls are frank and chilling, a profession of complete surrender. Then, a haunting ensemble of detuned sawtooth waves lingers conspicuously in “Worship,” intermittently stealing the throne from the vocal in climactic energy shifts.

“Burn This City” is a gritty selection featuring JOSEFINA, whose repetitive four-word chant of “Burn This City Down!” is vigorous and militant. Her powerful delivery embodies the anger and unhinged protest associated with significant loss. Subsequently, “Breakthrough,” “Set Me Free,” and “Be My Baby,” featuring Hayley May strike a similar emotional chord: bargaining. Impassioned performances from the vocalists illustrate the heart-wrenching task of haggling with a higher power or oneself to amend the outcome of a loss.

An unavoidable presence of recurring depression is scattered throughout the album and handled with grace and care. Yet, there is a healing groove in “Breathe Again” with Fractures, notably the only male vocal on the compilation. This harmonious refreshment is aptly placed near the end of the album, symbolizing the fragile push-pull relationship between hope and hopelessness.

One of the most upbeat tracks of the collection is “Memories” with Georgia Meek, showcasing a beloved house piano and amen break. This number provides a lively flair to the rest of the album, aligning with themes of acceptance and subsequent growth. While it’s understandable to assume this track would fall near the album’s end, it lies perfectly in the middle of the project.

This placement and overall meticulous arrangement of the tracklist is a nod to the fluidity of grieving. While the phases are often discussed as if they happen in order, the process is different for everyone. Likewise, Midnight Mass is most potent when heard in its entirety, in the careful order it was produced. But, picking through one or some of the tracks is just as rewarding as each record stands strong on its own.

Grief is a universal emotion, much like music is a universal language, and Will Clarke’s ability to blend driving, charismatic rhythms with soul-stirring vocals is a cathartic achievement. In the great words of Irving Berlin, “The song has ended, but the melody lingers on.”

Pick up the album from your favorite streaming platform, or listen on Spotify!

Stream Will Clarke – Midnight Mass on Spotify:

Will Clarke – Midnight Mass – Tracklist:

Summit ft. Georgia Meek

Weekend Love ft. House Gospel Choir

Pray ft. blythe

Need Some Time ft. Hayley May

Breakthrough

Holding On ft. Sharlene Hector

Set Me Free

Memories feat. Georgia Meek

Burn This City ft. JOSEFINA

Breathe Again ft. Fractures

Worship ft. Karen Harding

Be My Baby ft. Hayley May

You Alone ft. blythe

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