Sufjan Stevens - The Ascension (September 25, 2020) Album • Page 20

On my second listen, the stretch of songs in the middle that didn't hit the first time through hit me immediately. The moment they began I thought, "Oh, I am so ready for this right now." This stuff is a lot more immediate when you know it's coming.

I love how much I love this. I was a little worried.

 

Run Away With Me is so wonderful.

 

“Sufjan does Eiffel 65” is not nearly as much of a diss as you think it is

 

I want a Sufjan cover of Eiffel 65.

 

If you’re looking for a palate cleanse between listens, this new Oneohtrix Point Never song (featuring Caroline Polachek) is pretty gorgeous and fits the mood of The Ascension pretty nicely.

 

“Video Game” is definitely the weak link for me. I understand for sure why some people will adore it. Just not my thing. I think “Sugar” does a similar thing far better.


That being said, the record is excellent. I’m annoyed how concerned I was.

 

Video Game kinda sounds like Money For Nothing by Dire Straits which is fascinating

 

Didn't really like Video Game but I think I love it in the context of the album.

I also feel dumb for doubting Soof. Album is amazing.

 

subaru done did it again

 

Echoing the "I feel dumb" sentiments. I was really prepared to like this a lot without loving it. Totally wasn't prepared for this to be an AOTY contender, or at least not without it growing on me for a while.

 

The title track is so stunning. I’m especially In love with the lyrics of the final climax into that cascading “what now” outro. How do you even write like that?

 

Video game & Sugar are even better in context of the album IMO. Video Game is simpler & poppier amidst a sea of dense tracks & Sugar’s the same but with a spaced out intro that lets you breathe.

And I liked both a lot as pre-release singles.

 

Oh, Sugar is miles better in the context of the album for me. The long intro makes much more sense coming out of the previous song and there's extra desperation and depth to the song's lyrics after all that's come before.

 

Guys. My love for this album just keeps... ascending.

 

When Sufjan said
“I shit my pants and wet the bed... It takes some time to throw the demons off”

I felt that

 

This thing really shines when you put this on through headphones, crank the volume one tick beyond your norm, & stare at some open water.

 

My hype was pretty low but like a minute into Make Me an Offer I Cannot Refuse I was like “oh right, this is Sufjan, a songwriting genius who has made several masterpieces, including my favorite album of all time”

 

Gonna take many listens to fully get into this, but first listen was lovely. Totally feels like the mid point of Adz and C+L, very calming.

 

Spent the last hour and 20 minutes in the company of this album and it sounds so fucking lush I could live in it. Helps that the songs are great too. Brings together the best bits of his previous two records.

 

This is all I’ve been listening to this weekend. It really pulls me into its world. I love how it’s paced, I feel like it slows down and picks up right where it should. It goes by very quick and makes me want to hit replay immediately, so safe to say I love it

 

This really does feel quicker than most 80 minute albums

 

doesn't feel like 80 minutes at all

 

the variety definitely helps

 

I didn’t hear this lyric until after you posted, haha. What a humdinger.

 

Age of Adz was the same. Fastest 25 minute song ever.