9 votes

Sufjan Stevens - The Ascension (2020)

7 comments

  1. gpl
    Link
    Sufjan Stevens has a new album out and it is killer. Discuss.

    Sufjan Stevens has a new album out and it is killer. Discuss.

    4 votes
  2. [3]
    cfabbro
    (edited )
    Link
    I don't think any of his new albums will ever be able to top Illinoise for me, in terms of my sheer enjoyment of them, or their replayability for me. However this was still a pretty damn decent...

    I don't think any of his new albums will ever be able to top Illinoise for me, in terms of my sheer enjoyment of them, or their replayability for me. However this was still a pretty damn decent album, and had a few really interesting, deeply layered tracks that I will definitely be listening to again. I doubt any of them will come close to reaching the amount of times I have relistened to Chicago, John Wayne Gacy, Jr, or They Are Night Zombies!!! though, since those three are amongst my all-time favorite tracks and the likelihood of them ever being unseated from the top is pretty slim.

    Thanks for sharing this, and letting me know about the new album, @gpl. It was well worth listening to, and a great way to start the morning! :)

    3 votes
    1. [2]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. cfabbro
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        Ah, sorry about that. Thanks for letting me know and linking to the playlist with all the tracks from sufjan's official channel. I will change my original link to that too.

        Ah, sorry about that. Thanks for letting me know and linking to the playlist with all the tracks from sufjan's official channel. I will change my original link to that too.

        2 votes
    2. gpl
      Link Parent
      I agree, it will be hard to top Illinois for me (I am from Chicago too, so I like the album doubly for all the local references). I was pretty pleased with this new one though!

      I agree, it will be hard to top Illinois for me (I am from Chicago too, so I like the album doubly for all the local references). I was pretty pleased with this new one though!

      2 votes
  3. Staross
    Link
    I never really got into his stuff but damn "Run Away With Me" is soupy. Video Game I like more although it gets a bit repetitive. Some cool sounds on Die Happy.

    I never really got into his stuff but damn "Run Away With Me" is soupy. Video Game I like more although it gets a bit repetitive. Some cool sounds on Die Happy.

    3 votes
  4. Tygrak
    Link
    I was waiting for this! Can't wait to listen to it today.

    I was waiting for this! Can't wait to listen to it today.

    2 votes
  5. kfwyre
    Link
    Listened through it twice so far. Once, on release day at work, where it was kind of in the background as I was getting some stuff done and eating my lunch; and a second time as a more focused...

    Listened through it twice so far. Once, on release day at work, where it was kind of in the background as I was getting some stuff done and eating my lunch; and a second time as a more focused listen this morning.

    I really like that the album is meandering and spacious. It doesn't seem like it's in a rush to get anywhere. I think the arrangements are lush, and Stevens's has always had interesting vocal delivery that really stands out on this album, especially when he processes it a bit in places for effect. "America" is a powerful and timely closer.