Hailing from the capital of Canadian province Saskatchewan, Andy Shauf has a knack for planting calming, intimate sentiments that bloom with subtle tension. His songs feel close and personal, yet melodically expansive with a splash of colorful strings and other spare instruments creeping in from outside the quiet space these cuts sound performed in. It’s hard to pick a favorite tune from his new The Bearer of Bad News LP, though “I’m Not Falling Asleep” (an early preview of which we caught in ’13) is a fine intro above. After that, the whole record is below, featuring other standouts, such as “Jerry Was A Clerk,” “Wendall Walker,” and “Lick Your Wounds.” One more note about Shauf: He produced and engineered this set, which is an impressive feat you’ll notice upon hearing the lovely, evocative palette he’s pulled off here.
Ethan Johns, Featured, Jon Brion, Laura Marling, Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams