Michael Nau – Accompany (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 45:19 minutes | 531 MB | Genre: Indie Folk, Singer-Songwriter
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Karma Chief Records
Since the mid 2000’s, he’s crafted a catalog of thoughtful, reflective songs as the frontman of indie-rock mainstays Cotton Jones, Page France, and Michael Nau & The Mighty Thread. All 11 tracks come together to paint a beautiful picture. The lyrics invoke the listener’s imagination throughout. They’re introspective, but vague and open-ended. The indie rock backdrop shows signs of psych-soul influence with dry and punchy drums, lush synth lines, and tastefully verb-soaked vocal production. Sweeping string arrangements and French horn runs add cinematic motion to the waltz-y “Shiftshaping” (track 4). Slide guitar and a shuffling snare drum add some get-up-and-go to “Painting a Wall” (track 2). Nau’s vocal delivery falls somewhere between crooning to a crowd, telling stories to a loved one, and musing to himself. The singer-songwriter’s relaxed attitude toward making records is discernible in the sound. A while back, veteran producer and engineer Adrien Olsen (The Killers, Lucy Dacus, Fruit Bats), approached him about recording in his Richmond, Virginia-based studio. For the first time in a while, Michael had some sessions on the calendar. He called a few old friends and put together a band. “I didn’t have much of a plan before Adrien reached out, so I wrote some songs specifically for the session,” Michael explained. “I was thinking about what would be fun to play with this specific group of guys.”The band consisted of several long-time collaborators and musicians who had participated in Nau’s various recording and touring efforts over the years. “It had been a while since I’d made music in a room with other people,” Michael shared. “We just sort of started playing and didn’t really talk about what was happening.” The combo’s newfound chemistry was a primary source of inspiration and, with the help of Olsen, ultimately led to an album’s-worth of music.
Tracklist:
01. Michael Nau – Sharp Diamonds (04:23)
02. Michael Nau – Painting A Wall (03:30)
03. Michael Nau – Tiny Flakes (04:43)
04. Michael Nau – Shiftshaping (03:41)
05. Michael Nau – And So On (03:24)
06. Michael Nau – One Morning in Vibrato (03:27)
07. Michael Nau – Relearn to Boogie (05:35)
08. Michael Nau – Accompaniment (04:54)
09. Michael Nau – Comes to Pour (02:51)
10. Michael Nau – Long Distance Driver (03:46)
11. Michael Nau – Last I Looked (Bonus Track) (05:00)
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