Smokeflowers / Sing To

Michael Nau

June 4, 2025

Alternative

Michael Nau is back with two beautiful new songs. Out today via Karma Chief Records, this release follows his fifth LP, Accompany. The songs were recorded over the last few years in Nau’s home studio. “Smokeflowers” came to be while Michael was searching for sounds on some newly acquired recording gear. It’s a slow, swirly waltz. Nau strums his acoustic guitar over a consistent bass groove, as simple string lines hover in the wings. The lyrics are poetic and thoughtful, but not prescriptive, as Nau leaves plenty of room for the listener to apply their own meaning to each verse. Whitney McGraw, Michael’s wife, sang harmonies on the choruses. Fans of Nau’s previous work will find a new favorite in “Sing To.” It’s the perfect soundtrack for lying by a river and watching the clouds. A pulsing metronome keeps time as Michael plucks the strings of his acoustic guitar. The vocals shimmer with reverb as random synth sounds come and go. In a style that’s consistent with his previous work, Michael’s lyrics find a delicate balance between casual and poignant. “Sing to the leaving, sing to the stay. Sing to the needle, sing to the hay… Go and let your love get in the way.” These songs feel like a natural next step from Nau’s latest LP, Accompany, which was recorded with a full band and produced and engineered by Adrien Olsen (The Killers, Lucy Dacus, Fruit Bats). Now, as Michael explores and captures new ideas on his own, the resulting sound is stripped back and slightly less refined. “I was testing out a new tape machine that I had, and then I sold it,” he explained. “They’re single songs that just kind of happened without other songs around.” Although they don’t find themselves on an LP, “Smokeflowers” and “Sing To” stand firmly on their own. Like everything from Nau’s growing catalog, they merit thoughtful listening and reflection from old fans and new.