INDIE SINGER-SONGWRITER / FOLKTRONICA

Sufjan Stevens’s 10th studio album blends the artist’s striking talents of crafting pretty, folkish singer-songwriter material and arranging intriguing layers of multiple instruments & voices. As usual, the themes are introspective: love, breakup, heartache, spirituality. Five women are credited with backing vocals in various ones, twos, & threes. Bryce Dessner [The National] plays guitars on track 9. All songs written by Stevens, except #10 (a deep cut from Neil Young’s album Harvest). Lyrics inside the jacket. RIYL Bon Iver, Maggie Rogers, Arcade Fire, Fairport Convention, Pentangle

FCC in track #9

1 * Slow & spare to start, picks up pace & richness. Pretty & sad post-breakup song (3:25)
2 * Mid-slow. Nice fingerstyle acoustic guitar. Keys enter later. Start of a new love (4:21)
3 ** Mid-tempo. Longing for love. Nice arrangement w mult instruments & voices (4:09)
4 Very slow. A gentle prayer with acoustic guitar & synth’d strings (5:00)
5 Mid-slow. Romantic, mystic, and religious images swirl in a dreamlike sound (3:33)
6 Mid-slow. The title refers to a woman not an animal. It’s a bit condescending. (3:43)
7 * Slow. Sadly reflecting a long relationship that’s fraying. Really quite lovely. (4:50)
8 Slow. Title track examines some dark murderous thoughts. Eerie feeling (1:53)
9 FCC “talking shit” A relationship is still cherished but may be beyond saving (8:31)
10 ** Mid-slow. An uplifting, hopeful conclusion following the last few tough songs. (2:30)