Sufjan Stevens

So I just found out today that Sufjan's existential funk seems to have ended, and that he released a new EP earlier this week.

How do I feel about it?◊

Downloading as we speak.

Seriously; first Starflyer 59, now Sufjan. If Pacific were to finally come out next month, then I think I would die happy.

Sufjan has a new EP?

SQQQQQQQUUUUUEEEEEE

Dude, it's fucking amazing.

Where was Sufjan hiding for four years? I mean, don't get me wrong - I loved The BQ 0 E, but it's not the same as hearing his voice and songwriting speak for itself. So happy to have new stuff out by him.

Is it just me, or does it seem like he's using his voice more as an instrument this time around? He really seems to be going for it with the vocal runs.

I read in an interview that Sufjan had an existential crisis. He didn't know where to go after The BQE with his songwriting, and he wasn't even sure if writing music was really a worthwhile endeavor.

Having listened to the new EP a few times, I don't think this is quite Sufjan at his best—I think there's a bit too much repetition in the "And the people bowed and prayed..." portion in the middle of "All Delighted People"—but there's enough good stuff to assure me that Suf's still got it. I love "Djohariah".

Holy dang, there's a new album dropping this October. And it's going to be synth-orchestral-pop. "Enjoy Your Rabbit meets The BQE. But with songs," they promise.

Man, I've been wanting Suf to do an album in that style since Songs for Christmas, Vol. V.

Squee! The prospect of a new Sufjan album makes me pretty damn excited.

However... Drowned in Sound, my music review site of choice, gave the new EP a 4/10 (still on holiday so haven't heard it yet), and there are murmurs that the first song that's been made listenable from it sounds like Owl City, which fills me with dread.

Still, bring on October!

edited 29th Aug '10 10:47:32 AM by Saeglopur

Wait, the first listenable track from The Age of Adz, or the first listenable track from All Delighted People EP? If it's the latter, then whoever made that comparison should not be allowed near music journalism.

But yeah, All Delighted People isn't Sufjan at his best; I certainly wouldn't recommend it as an entry point for non-fans.

The former, though it was a DiS forumite, not a reviewer, who made the comparison. I believe the track is called I Walked, but you might want to double check that.

Ah. Bandcamp is offering the song in question for streaming/download. I like.

Comparing that to Owl City isn't completely off-base, but you could just as easily compare it to Joy Electric or Kraftwerk.

Further thoughts: "Djohariah" is basically "Sister" (from Seven Swans) on steroids.

Not That There's Anything Wrong with That; I like both songs.

Well, Djohariah is written directly for his sister, so it makes sense. But damn that song is beautiful. I have a bit of a theory about how the instrumental part starts telling Djohariah's story before Sufjan starts singing, but it's long and complicated.

All Delighted People EP = Great stuff. Not really an EP though, seeing as its like 60 minutes long.

Of course, Songs for Christmas, Vol V was 11 tracks and 35 minutes long, which most would consider album-length, and that was an EP too.

I just read Sebastian Krueger (aka Inlets) did backing vocals on this. Master of harmonies that he is, I'm now inclined to listen sooner rather than later.

One new track from The Age Of Adz is up on Bandcamp. It's previously been recorded live under the name There's Too Much Love. Now it's just Too Much. And it's pretty damn epic, especially from about 4:30 onwards (it's 6:44 total). Declare me officially excited.

Sampling from The BQE. Magnificent.

According to this tracklisting for The Age Of Adz, the final track, Impossible Soul, will be 25 minutes and 35 seconds long. 25 MOTHA FUNKIN' MINUTES?!?! This is Beyond the Impossible even by Sufjan's standards.

Off-topic, but I sort of want "existential funk" to be a music genre. As in funk with lyrics about existentialism.

"They Are Night Zombies" is pretty close, actually. The whole thing is a metaphor about being completely forgotten after death. And it's pretty funky.

Has anyone pre-ordered The Age of Adz? I did; the announcement that people who pre-ordered would also get to download mp3's on the 28th was enough to convince me.

The Age of Adz leaked out to the internet. I'm not sure what's the policy on leaked albums here so I won't post a link unless I'm sure it's okay.

HEY KIDS! The Age Of Adz is now streaming for legally real on NPR. Linky.

So many LPs streaming there lately. Think it's since they started using some DRM or whatnot. /tangent

I preordered the CD, so I'm downloading right now the pre-release mp3's that came with the preorder.

On first listen, I'd say very very good. I'm especially liking the two tracks that were made available earlier, Too Much and I Walked, but Futile Devices, Vesuvius and I Want to Be Well are all excellent as well.

Unfortunately, the central 10 minutes or so of Impossible Soul are seriously uncool. Seriously. Auto-tune. I never thought Sufjan would sink so low.

edited 28th Sep '10 3:59:36 PM by Saeglopur