Carrie & Lowell - Sufjan Stevens (2015)
Sufjan Stevens whispers into your ear, his warm breath in contrast with the freezing weather. His seventh studio album features an acoustic guitar, minimalistic electronic notes, and most prominently, his voice. The gentle murmurs resemble a dim light through a heavy curtain.
The compilation provides an intimate glimpse into Stevens’ personal life. Named after his mother and stepfather –– Carrie Stevens and Lowell Brams –– the anthology explores his grief after his mother’s death due to stomach cancer in 2012. Stevens reflects on his relationship with Carrie hindered by her alcoholism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
“Fourth of July,” the most renowned track, covers final conversations with Carrie in the hospital. Stevens delves into the frosty concept of death, explaining how minor life seems compared to it. The grim melancholy of his stories makes an essential addition to your winter playlist.
