After successfully transitioning out of teen pop stardom into the more refined arena of tasteful adult pop,
Mandy Moore's music career was more or less shelved during the 2010s while her acting career took flight. Although she began hinting at a follow-up to 2009's crafty
Mike Viola collaboration,
Amanda Leigh, as early as 2012 -- stating at the time that it would likely be recorded with then-husband
Ryan Adams -- the project languished and eventually fell by the wayside in the latter part of the decade as her role on the hit NBC series This Is Us turned her into a Golden Globe-nominated television star. After an 11-year gap,
Moore is back with
Silver Landings, an impeccably recorded volume of contemplative pop songs with an inviting West Coast feel that takes cues from
Fleetwood Mac's late-'70s heyday. Producer and co-writer
Mike Viola is back, and his studio artistry and overall sense of craft help make this set shine in a subtle sort of way.
Moore has lived a lot of life since her last release and it's no surprise that
Silver Landings is imbued with a sense of reflection. Over a sweet, folky fingerpicked pattern, standout cut "Fifteen" looks back a couple of decades at
Moore's teenage rise through the star-making machine and the way it shaped her life to come. It's a lovely artifact from an artist who didn't necessarily reinvent herself or try to keep that machine running past its expiration date, but rather seems to have settled more authentically into her true character. The music she's making now is decidedly subtle and refined whether it be the slinky "I'd Rather Lose" or the sparkling "Easy Target," the latter of which could have easily come from the same sessions as
Fleetwood Mac's overlooked 1982 gem
Mirage. Accenting
Moore's vocals throughout is some sterling guitar work from her second husband,
Dawes frontman
Taylor Goldsmith, who along with
Viola helped her co-write the album. Between its warm sonic patina and the personal nature of its material,
Silver Landings stands as
Moore's most mature work to date, making for a strong if understated comeback. ~ Timothy Monger
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