by Philip Moss

Set across one night, Andy Shauf’s new record, The Neon Skyline, is a barroom tale of tumultuous emotions – inspired by the return of Judy – a former flame.

Opener, Neon Skyline has a Paul McCartney stomp about it – self produced, its laboured bass and lo-fi drums have a ramshackle feel that suggest it’s been thrown together. But, at the same time, the instrumentation couldn’t be anymore perfectly suited to the Toronto based songwriter’s late night tale.

Lead single, Things I Do is immediately rich – its gorgeous melodic phrasing falls vocally somewhere between Elliott Smith and Paul Simon, as our narrator reflects on the relationship’s final days. While Try Again recalls 60s throwback, Ari Roar, and shuffles with an ironic confidence.

The Neon Skyline is a novella of simple colloquialisms and infectious melodies. Simply, a must listen.

Secret Meeting score: 80

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