A mix of futuristic pop and vocals

Nov 19, 2010 - Genesia Alves

Sufjan Stevens has a new album out (and a new EP, but one thing at a time). If you came to his party late (I did) you’d be forgiven for thinking he was a shoe-gazing, folksy boy with a slight moroseness. This would be because you will have heard his album Ilinois and you missed his electronica-infused offerings and some of his other inventiveness.

There is definitely a mix of the best of both worlds in the album Age of Adz. The opening track, Futile Devices is sparkly, futuristic pop with the classic vocals in place, but not challenged. That changes pretty quickly.
The title track, The Age of Adz is nearly eight minutes long (a mere twinkle compared to the 25 minute last track, Impossible Soul) and it sounds like the very Christian, borderline evangelist Sufjan is in emotional torment that slowly builds up to a huge climax in which he shouts out I’m not f^%$#ing around several times. He sings, I’m sorry if I seem self-effacing — a beautifully twisted thing to say.
Like all his other albums, this one also has a theme. It’s sort of inspired by Royal Robertson (whose artwork makes the cover) who was a schizophrenic artist famous for his sci-fi posters.
The album is beautiful, prayerful, complicated and lush with huge chorals and intricate arrangements and if you’ve never really listened to Stevens then this is a great place to work back from. You can listen to the entire album at http://sufjanstevens.bandcamp.com/

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