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.