Sufjan Stevens releases 10th album, Javelin, amidst personal struggles
Sufjan Stevens, a prominent American singer-songwriter, has recently released his highly anticipated 10th album, Javelin. Known for his diverse musical style and lyrical prowess, Stevens has had a successful and prolific recording career. However, he is currently facing a challenging time in his personal life. The 48-year-old artist announced a couple of weeks ago that he is battling Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare auto-immune condition that has left him unable to walk. Although a full recovery is possible, it may take up to a year. This serves as a poignant reminder of life’s fragility.
Despite this adversity, Stevens’ new album showcases a return to his introspective and introspective songwriting style that characterized his earlier works such as the critically acclaimed 2015 album, Carrie & Lowell. Javelin, a tender and beautiful album, embraces a more minimalistic approach to arrangements. While Stevens’ discography includes elaborately orchestrated compositions, his most enduring work tends to favor simplicity over extravagance.
One standout track on Javelin is “Will Anybody Ever Love Me?” which showcases Stevens’ vulnerability and profound emotions. “A Running Start” highlights his lyrical prowess, with poetic lines such as “winter pine, the lonely drake… the light beneath the frozen lake.” Another noteworthy track is “Javelin (To Have and to Hold),” a haunting and delicate piece that manages to convey a vast range of emotions in under two minutes.
An integral part of the album’s sonic identity is the gentle and melodic sounds of Stevens’ guitalin, a traditional North American instrument from the lute family that bears a resemblance to a banjo.
Several talented guests contribute to the album, including singer Hannah Cohen, multi-instrumentalist Nedelle Torrisi, and Bryce Dessner of the National. Dessner, who has been particularly active this year with two album releases from the National, also played a pivotal role in producing Ed Sheeran’s latest album.
Speaking of Sheeran, his seventh album, Autumn Variations, has recently been released. However, it is unlikely to resonate with those who have an aversion to his music. The album, arriving just months after his commercially successful Subtract album, is supposedly influenced by Elgar’s Enigma Variations.
While some tracks on Autumn Variations showcase Sheeran’s stripped-back and introspective style, others, such as “Plastic Bag,” embody the artist’s tendency to rely on clichéd and contrived lyrics that aim for depth but land as mere aphorisms from fortune cookies.
However, if one can look past Sheeran’s shortcomings as a vocalist, several tracks on the album display carefully crafted melodies and musical compositions. For instance, “England” stands out as a beautifully honed track. Nevertheless, it becomes challenging to appreciate the music fully when coupled with Sheeran’s mawkish and cringe-inducing lyrics, which even the VisitEngland tourist board might find excessive.
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