Shauf’s record label is, appropriately, called Tender Loving Empire. You get the feeling that this is the kind of place he would need to feel safe and secure enough to make music. There is stillness and depth here. In this respect, he’s like a one-man Crowded House. The tunes are all full-bodied and swamp you, but some of the lyrics will stop you dead in your tracks. Like Richard Thompson or Ben Howard, these are morbid thoughts on a funny world. All are jaunty, but with an undertow of melancholy, so you get joy and heartache in equal measure. It isn’t a perfect album by any means – some of the lyrics are overwritten and some of the tunes well outstay their welcome. However, The Bearer Of Bad News showcases well Shauf’s true talent: he’s a good storyteller. There’s nothing false or forced, it all comes flowing through and, for that alone, this album is worth a listen.