Andy Shauf has revealed his latest piece of atmospheric alt. pop in the shape of 'The Magician'. The track, with its accompanying psychedelic visuals, is a wonderful, brooding ballad that hints at a Beatles inspiration and aligns the Saskatchewan-based singer-songwriter with likes of Elliot Smith and more recently Tobias Jesso Jr. Hypnotic piano chords are joined by mysterious and colourful string and woodwind lines to create the dark and gently foreboding hue, which Shauf embraces so well. He's a talent that has been working away for some time, and with a full-length album, The Party, on the way via Anti Records on 20 May, the increased excitement around him is entirely justified. Get swept up in this brilliantly, thought-provoking new cut from an underrated artist who deserves all the praise he's receiving. -G.O'B