Sufjan Stevens - Javelin (October 6th, 2023) • Page 13

"My Little Red Fox" might be the prettiest song he's ever written.

 

my little red fox is the best waltz of the 21st century

 

Album is just unreal and keeps getting better as the temperature drops here. I can't wait to listen to "My Little Red Fox" on a snowy night

 

finally got my shipping noti from rough trade. excited to spin this and hear the bonus tracks.

 

So You Are Tired > Javelin > Shit Talk might be one of the best sequences of tracks I’ve ever heard.

Shit Talk is god tier.

 

Anyone else listen to the 5 rough trade tracks yet?

 

A bit, I haven’t given them the attention they deserve.

 

Just today got to listen to this album while walking through the crisp fall evening. It’s such a great album for the season.

 

I did yesterday, they're very nice but I don't think they necessary belong on the album, so I get it. Feel slightly more demo-y. Worth listening though

 

Suf's discernment about what belongs on an album and what doesn't is off the charts. Still crazy to me how The Avalanche has so many (really solid) songs but there's still not one I would switch out on Illinois.

 

Yeah this is a really good point, because I totally agree

 

Also, I've come to the conclusion that, for all the tragedy this guy has faced, I think Javelin might somehow be Sufjan's "least" sad record since Illinois. That might just be a testament to how sad the last three were, but there's also a level of forward momentum in these songs that I haven't heard from him in a while.

 

This took a couple listens but with the leaves changing and driving around listening I’ve fallen in love, glad to see the My Red Little Fox love, song lives in my head

 

It’s Will Anybody Ever Love Me? right now. The imagery is too good.

 

I wish it lasted longer and he let that outro play out for a few minutes

 

It’s a great encapsulation of the emotions that occur when a long relationship ends. The sadness of it ending for whatever reason - obviously we know why his ended - but also the necessary optimism and reflection on the joy of the past. Using the example of Shit Talk - yes, it’s a heartbreaking song but it’s also a very heartwarming song because the basis of it is he wants to hold on to the good memories of the relationship and the positivity that comes from that.

So much of the album follows similar themes. It’s an emotional album, one that has made me tear up, but it’s one that expresses growth and positivity amongst the heartbreak.

 

Yeah, I need this on vinyl. Does anyone know what copies come with CDs? I see a lemonade variant on both Bandcamp and Rough Trade US.

 

All the little electronic flourishes in this are great

 

alas mistress witch woulda been top 5 on the album and majesty snowbird not making anything is a true head scratcher

 

The extra CD came with the Rough Trade exclusive green, and that's long gone. They (Rough Trade) also had it listed with the indie lemonade variant at one point, but it's not listed anymore so either that was an error, or they're out of bonus CD's.

 

Damn. Thank you for the insight.

 

finally listening to those bonus tracks. Is It My Fault is magic

 

Feel free to Point Me in the right direction of those tracks

 

Sufjan Stevens Songs Were Always Gay and They Were Always About God

 

Becoming fall like here and this is all I wanna play