—-> Buy All Delighted People EP <—–
Heirloom – Sufjan Stevens (Free Download)
The highly anticipated return of the genre-bending talent Sufjan Stevens is finally upon us. Though he hasn’t spent much time in the limelight as of late, Stevens hasn’t been hibernating either. Apart from his instrumental releases, Run Rabbit Run and The BQE, Sufjan has been working closely with The National, Rosie Thomas, and David Garland, among others. With a full-length, Age of Adz, set to hit shelves on October 12th, it appears that Stevens is out to satisfy the highly diverse fan base he has accumulated since his debut in 2000.
Without talking too much about Age of Adz, it seems that Stevens is heading towards a more electronically-influenced sound; this is even more evident when comparing his recent releases “I Walked” and “Too Much” to the folk-laden Seven Swans, symphonic Illinois, or jolly Songs for Christmas. All Delighted People EP, though, is a welcome return to the enchanting indie folk Sufjan delivered in his two 50 states albums (a project that Stevens admits was a publicity stunt).
As the EP title suggests, the primary focus of the album is on the title track. Just as he did with “Chicago” and “Vito’s Ordination Song”, Stevens offers up two versions of the same piece. The variations of “All Delighted People”, are largely similar, consisting of a more traditional and classic rock version. While the classic rock version emphasizes the boisterous horns and wailing guitar solo, the original gets an final, epic bridge with beautiful backing lyrics, “when the world’s come and gone shall we follow our transgressions or shall we stand strong?”. That line that is followed by “I tried to save the things I made but the twirled is a mess.” While Stevens is back with the same sincerity and poetic ingenuity, at times, he is clearly pushing himself harder than we have grown accustom to.
As enjoyable as the aforementioned tracks are, they are accompanied by six other majestic songs. “Heirloom”, though barely two minutes long, is one of the most memorable songs on the EP. It’s almost bare with a simple layered guitar accompanied by Stevens’ slightly effected vocals. With “From The Mouth Of Gabriel”, we are introduced, only briefly, to the direction Sufjan may be going in this full-length. Around 1:05 we are presented with audible electronic effects. Though the entire EP is effected, this is perhaps where it’s emphasized most. Per usual, Stevens pulls it off very well as the effects are supported by horn chirps and his molasses vocals. Smooth and sweet.
He’s in the business of sharing stories that are incredibly comprehensible. This is evident in Michigan and Illinois in which he shared true stories of people and events from each state. All Delighted People EP, “Heirloom” and “All Delighted People” in particular, is no different. There’s something relatable in his lyrics, and more importantly, in the tone of his voice. For this reason, Sufjan Stevens is a musician that will captivate listeners with every release.
