Hannah and Matt on Music: “The Ascension”
Matt’s Take: Oh boy. Let me just say, I was very excited for this album. I genuinely believe that Sufjan Stevens is one of the best songwriters of our time. The beauty he finds in the English language, the emotions that he can tap relentlessly, and the unfiltered weight of melancholy that he can put on the listener is genuinely impressive. That is why it pains me to say, I really did not feel any of that with “The Ascension.” Sure, the album has interesting beats, but that doesn’t leave me with much else. I understand that this take is INCREDIBLY hot, but I didn’t get what I listen to Sufjan Stevens for. Artists have the right to change their style all they want and it typically receives terrible reception from fans. Albums like “The Life of Chris Gaines” by Garth Brooks, “Lulu” by Metallica and Lou Reed, and even “Green Album” by Weezer all show a shift into a new type of music and were all lambasted by fans. Personally, I can appreciate the confidence of trying out a new genre of music, especially when you’re already an established musician. I feel this way with “The Ascension.” It is not what I wanted, but I have to commend it on a certain level for going more electronic than what I’m used to. “Carrie & Lowell” this is not, and you know what? That’s fine for Sufjan, and I hope other fans get more out of this album than I did.
Three Standout Tracks: “Make Me An Offer I Cannot Refuse,” “Lamentations” and “America.”
Overall Score: 6.4/10
Hannah’s Take: “The Ascension” marks Sufjan Stevens’s first album release in five years, an album I was extremely excited to listen to. Now, I definitely agree with Matt when he sees this album is not like the Sufjan we all know and love. However, I really didn’t mind the genre switch-up. Of course, I was looking forward to an album I could sit and cry to, like “Carrie and Lowell,” so I was a bit disappointed with the electronic frenzy hosted on “The Ascension.” Upon listening a bit more deeply, I interpreted the emotion of the album differently than listeners who wrote it off as being cold and aloof. I believe “The Ascension” offers the perspective of someone almost alien, attempting to share their emotions with listeners. One of my personal favorites from the record, “Die Happy,” drives home this struggle between feeling and connecting. The electronic nature of the record is new and unusual for seasoned Sufjan fans, but I’m not writing the album off as bad. Though a bit dull and predictable as a whole, I like the experimentation and admire Sufjan for going out of his sweet little box.
Three Standout Tracks: “Lamentations,” “Die Happy,” and “Sugar”
Overall Score: 7/10