As 2023 comes to a slow close, the final months of the year are filled with conflicting emotions and moods, Michael Nau captured this juxtaposition on his latest offering. Accompany is the fifth full-length from the multi-hyphenate and it is brimming with lush tones that warm the soul. Via vague yet moving poetry, Nau takes a bag of mixed emotions and creates linear narratives lined with gorgeous sentiments set to minimal yet jaw-dropping arrangements.
Accompany is Nau’s best solo effort to date. The artist traverses twangy arrangements with his heart on his sleeve for a calming set of tracks. The unassuming nature of these songs emphasizes Nau’s songwriting prowess as he pens some of the best songs of his career. The full album evokes the warmth of a fireplace after stepping in from the frigid cold, although it doesn’t ignore the harsh weather. Nau is not overly optimistic and these are not sad songs, these are straight-from-the-hip emotions that unravel over the album’s 11 tracks. Nau’s subtle approach to these songs makes them feel all the more tender and personal.
The album kicks off with the slow-burning “Sharp Diamonds”, a lo-fi ballad injected with some Western tropes. This track sets the tone for the album perfectly. What follows is a kaleidoscope of tender ballads and gentle melodies that create consistency in their tones, allowing the tempos to keep the tracklist from sounding too slow. Things pick up on the cutesy “And So On” which features one of the best vocal performances on the album while keeping the tracklist exciting with its youthful bounce. The folksy “Relearn to Boogie” features soaring strings that add density to the otherwise airy textures of Accompany. Nau keeps his simplistic approach to instrumentals interesting with moments like this, sneaking in spurts of melodies to add texture to the gentle drum patterns or wistful guitar tones.
With Accompany Nau creates this subtle sonic conflict in songs without sacrificing their intimate nature, creating a sprawling tracklist that finds consistency in the emotions of Nau himself.
