I've never been a huge Sufjan Stevens fanatic but that might change in the future, because, unlike many of the people here, this album just really gets me in a very emotional way. It feels like a shelter or a shield, protecting me from the shitstorm of the outside world that's affecting me/us even when closing it out the most in the pandemic era. Probably for the first time, I hear some anger and disappointment in Sufjan's words, and I can absolutely relate to him, even if his voice is more distant than ever, very airy and a bit autotuned, even if he doesn't want to play video games (which is sad but he sings it with some catchy hooks so I forgive him). Meanwhile, all the soft electronic/glitchy sounds, the lyrics and the performance are very comforting and touching. Just a perfect escapist record to me, reflecting to some of the things happening right now and shutting them out at the same time.
By: daysight