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Sufjan Stevens - No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross

On ‘No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross,’ we’re allowed a privileged, intimate view into the inner world of Sufjan Stevens

20th February 2015

Trying to predict what will come next from Sufjan Stevens is a thankless and near impossible task due to his insatiable appetite for reinvention. From reimagining traditional Christmas songs on ‘Songs for Christmas’ to high-concept art on ‘Age of Adz’ Stevens has pushed his own personal envelope in every conceivable direction. It will perhaps as a comforting surprise that on ‘No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross’ - the first release from his upcoming album ‘Carrie & Lowell’ - that Stevens has stripped everything right back to himself and a guitar.

The whispering, haunting vocals and delicate acoustic guitar represent him at his absolute best. Stevens said himself, speaking to Pitchfork earlier this week; “this is not my art project – this is my life”. With this sense of humanity obvious on ‘No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross,’ it feels as though we are being allowed a privileged, intimate view into the inner world of Stevens as he struggles with the death of his mother (for whom the album is in part named). In returning to the gentle harmonies that he first made his name with, Stevens has captured an ethereal quality, showing much promise for the rest of ‘Carrie and Lowell’.

Tags: Sufjan Stevens, Reviews, Listen