Andy Shauf thinks in scenes. The Canadian songwriter broke through with 2016’s “The Party”, a heartfelt account of a single night out told with grace and precision, which was followed by the astute “The Neon Skyline” in 2020. After a brief detour with the 2021 surprise album “Wilds”, Shauf’s upcoming latest album, “Norm”, is another character-driven comedy, this time focused on a single fictional person.
Spanning 12 tracks, “Norm” Shauf performs every instrument on the new LP himself and shaped the lyrics around an invented, eponymous person. “The character of Norm is introduced in a really nice way,” Shauf explained in a statement. “But the closer you pay attention to the record, the more you’re going to realize that it’s sinister.”
“Catch Your Eye” is out now, the second song from ‘Norm’. Animated by Mary Vertulfo.
The album’s lead single, “Wasted on You,” finds Shauf pondering the afterlife and wondering what to do when a lover dies.
‘Norm’ is the eighth studio album from Canadian singer-songwriter Andy Shauf, who with each record seems to get ever nearer to critical mass in terms of both popularity and artistry. Conceptually based around the titular character ‘Norm’, its themes are introduced with shiny, clean-cut tones that gradually unravel and become more sinister. For fans of Sufjan Stevens, Mac DeMarco and Joanna Newsom.
out February 10th, 2023 on Anti Records / Arts & Crafts.
The Fat Angel Sings 