This EP really hits home emotionally, with Stevens seeming to deeply question god and faith

Sufjan Stevens is an odd character. Probably most well known for his incomplete 50-state project in which he planned to release an album for every state in America (despite only actually doing two). He has had quite a career and prolifically explored his very unique sound in numerous ways. His magnum opus ‘Age of Adz’ is ten years old and his last serious studio album was five years ago ‘Carrie and Lowell’. Steven’s has kept incredibly busy though over the past five years having collaborated with a plethora of talent including his own father on an ambient project earlier this year. After hearing that, I assumed Sufjan wouldn’t be back to grace our ears for a long time, definitely not with a serious, studio album. Fortunately, I was wrong and Stevens has announced his eighth studio album. This album has been preceded by the single/EP ‘America’.

‘America’ is a 12:30 epic that showcases what made me fall in love with Stevens music in the first place. Its almost apocalyptic musical arrangement, harrowing lyrics and deep political and religious themes are incredibly powerful. Lyrically Sufjan might be at his best here. He heartbreakingly sings ‘I’m ashamed to admit I no longer believe’. Something about those lyrics is just so depressing as Stevens has always come across religious in his records but never so pessimistic. Given the way Stevens cries the chorus melody ‘Don’t do to me what you did to America’, it almost sounds like he’s angry at god, maybe even blaming god for the current issues Americans face. The end of the track is very atmospheric and contemplative, really leaving a resonant pain with the listener. Stevens’ vocals throughout this track are haunting.

‘My Rajneesh’ is another powerful track on this short yet sweet EP. It starts with broken guitar and echo drenched vocals. Something about the arrangement here reminds me of a B-side Steven had from Carrie and Lowell called ‘Exploding Whale’. I was pleasantly surprised actually to find that these tracks were written and recorded at a similar time as his last record. Lyrically, due to this song being written during that period, Steven’s may be referring to the state of Oregon and the religious and spiritual settlement in Wasco County, which followed Rajneesh, a spiritual leader. You can’t help but feel like ‘The Ascension’ may be Steven’s most political album. The orchestral elements are so warmly welcome on this track as it almost feels like Stevens hasn’t played with these sounds in such a long time even though they are quintessentially his.

This new EP is what I wanted Stevens’ most recent collaboration with his father to be like, exciting. This EP really hits home emotionally, with Stevens seeming to deeply question god and faith, whilst also simultaneously address America and the pain and issues which the country face. Both of these tracks seems like a really interesting precursor to the forthcoming album and just get me incredibly excited to hear more from this truly unique artist.