Renowned singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens will release his seventh studio album, Carrie & Lowell, on March 31, and it might be his most intimate yet. The album is a personal and honest reflection on Stevens’ struggles over the past few years, revolving around the passing of his mother in 2012. His mother Carrie, who left him when he was a child, battled with depression and schizophrenia and could never truly be involved in his life. The writing on the album seems to be Stevens’ way of working through the difficulty of mourning someone who he owes his life, but never fully connected with. The songs delve into harrowing territories, yet there seems to be an underlying search for hope, a longing to make sense of his unsolvable confusion.
As opposed to his previous albums, Stevens’ trims down to just his vocals and an acoustic guitar or piano for most of the tracks. His layered vocals float with the delicacy of a passing breeze, and they rest over a foundation of simple yet beautiful melodies and ambient swells. The album has a very natural feel, and each song glides effortlessly into the next.
One of the most moving songs on the album, “Fourth of July,” allows Stevens to take us through the difficulty of watching a loved one pass before your eyes. It’s a profoundly personal account rife with regret, and concludes with him repeating, “We’re all gonna die,” with resigned acceptance. As with much of his work, Carrie & Lowell contains various religious themes, as well as references to important locations from the artist’s life. Stevens uses the song, “Eugene,” to shed some light on the emotional significance of this pacific northwest city where his only real memories of his mother exist. In the heartfelt, “Should Have Known Better,” Stevens starts off remorseful but then switches direction as he seeks to accept the past and move on. You can feel this shift in perspective as the song switches from minor to major keys and begins an uplifting rise to finish the piece.
While the album might lack diversity of song structure and mood, its message is poignant and the delivery is captivating. This isn’t an album for parties with friends, it’s one you listen to when no one else is around, when you’re alone in your room reflecting on your own life. Whatever you decide to use it for, you will certainly feel the passion and anguish behind Sufjan Stevens’ words.