Michael Nau is an incredibly underrated singer-songwriter (one of the most poetic voices of the Millennial generation) who has been creating evocative and timeless music since 2008 both under the guise of Cotton Jones (I highly recommend their three classics of cosmic Americana–The River Strumming/Paranoid Cocoon/Tall Hours in the Glowstream) and on his own with his 2016 solo debut Mowing. The River Strumming dug deep into Southern Gothic nocturnal vibes and Paranoid Cocoon drifted in a misty psychedelic folk daydream (both albums summoning the same dream pop soundscapes as Mazzy Star and Beach House) while Tall Hours in the Glowstream explored blurry and bright baroque pop similar in spirit to Brian Wilson circa Pet Sounds as well as Fleet Foxes.

Some Twist is maybe Michael Nau’s most cinematic and eclectic album yet.

Opening track “Good Thing” and closing track “Light That Ever” are reverb filled meldings of gospel harmonies and Motown/Stax soul rhythms. Shimmering country/folk meshed with psychedelia appears in hazy and wispy reveries such as “I Root” and “Waiting Too”. “Wonder” is submerged in echoing vocals and yearning pedal steel like a lost outtake from pastoral Pink Floyd. “How You’re So For Real” has chiming melodies and fuzzy guitar. “Oh You Wanna Bet?” is a hovering hymnal with glowing background vocals and soaring guitars.

The album spans the time of an entire twenty four hour day. The first half of the album moves from morning to afternoon to dusk and the second half of the album from twilight to the middle of the night to dawn. It is on the songs “Scumways” and “Scatter” and “The Load” (and the instrumental “Twelve”) that you are taken on a different journey from the other more rural and suburban musings. These are perfect for city driving. “Scumways” is vintage ’70s powered by a mellow guitar groove and subtle synths. “Scatter” is a slow motion somnambulant drum machine and dub mix with distorted vocals. “The Load” is the most experimental jam on the album–big basslines and buzzing neon keyboards cruising through the heavy lidded head nod until it fades out on some jazzy saxophones.

Do your ears a favor and listen to these oneiric soundtracks. One of the best releases of 2017.