Andy Shauf’s The Neon Skyline

I love when I unexpectedly come across a new song I like. I love it even more when that song brings me to an album I can enjoy from front to back. Enter @andyshauf and his single, “Try Again.” The song’s witty call and response caught my attention and brought me to Shauf’s The Neon Skyline, released on January 24th.

Shauf doesn’t have the same mastery or richness of music as Andrew Bird, but he lives in the same realm, pairing (predominantly) folk with a shot of jazz. He is however, an excellent storyteller. The Neon Skyline resembles a play, with each song presenting a new scene. It is often warm, gentle, and conversational as Shauf narrates the stories of a man (let’s call him Andy) who can’t stop thinking about his ex-girlfriend, Judy. Shauf takes us through memories Andy has with Judy, using his call and response. He also develops other characters, like Charlie, the protagonist’s constant companion, and Claire, another acquaintance with a son. They’re all at the Skyline, the local watering hole. “The Moon” offers us the moment we’ve been anticipating when Judy enters the bar and joins up with Andy, Charlie, and Claire.

As the album continues and Shauf takes us through the evening, things with Judy go sideways. Andy wants a new beginning with Judy, but between jealousy and his drunkenness he asks about a stupid story that ultimately ends the night on a strange note as Judy walks out of the bar. Shauf’s picture isn’t one of a healthy relationship, but Andy doesn’t seem all that concerned by that. He yearns for this old relationship, in the same way so many of us yearn for the comfort of something familiar. The album’s concept, a story taking place over a single night out, is interesting. The music is good; it is textured and strong enough to support the stirring tale of Andy. The story is really what makes The Neon Skyline worth listening to. In the age of audiobooks and constricting attention spans, maybe Andy Shauf is on to something. Maybe song writers will be the next great story tellers featured on The New York Times best seller list.