Hailed as “a gifted storyteller” (NPR Music), Shauf writes albums that unfold like short fiction, full of colorful characters, fine details and a rich emotional depth.

With his latest album, Norm, however, Shauf has slyly deconstructed and reshaped the style for which he’s been celebrated, elevating his songwriting with intricate layers and perspectives, challenging himself to find a new direction.

Under the guise of an intoxicating collection of jazz-inflected romantic ballads, his storytelling has become decidedly more oblique, hinting at ominous situations and dark motivations.