Mount Eerie performs at Anacortes Unknown; photo by Bryan C. Parker
I’ve had an ongoing conversation with a few friends during which I attempt to convince them that some value lies in identifying contemporary music’s (still active) most creative voices. Often, this results in some tenuous ideological terrain in which I try to explain what makes an “artist” more or less “creative” or “valuable.” My criteria usually consists of aspects such as deviation from the norm, cohesiveness intratextuality of a body of work, ambition of artistic vision, to name a few. I still haven’t successfully convinced anyone of my case, but my hopes are still high. To the point: Sufjan Stevens and Mount Eerie both always land on my list. In fact, they often top it. (See also: Nick Cave, The Mountain Goats, The Magnetic Fields.)
Sufjan Stevens performs at Emo’s in Austin, TX; photo by Bryan C. Parker
Yesterday, both of these artists shared new material. Yes, I thought perhaps I was dead or dreaming. Yes, I pinched myself. I am happy to report that this is, in fact, reality. And even happier to report that the fact that this is reality means that we are really getting new albums from two of music’s most important voices in the coming months. Stevens will release Carrie & Lowell and Elverum Sauna. For Stevens, it appears the work may return to the heartfelt, delicate, and gorgeous ballads that eloquently depict people and places with breathtaking clarity and beauty. For Mount Eerie, songwriter Phil Elverum appears determined to continue exploring concepts of home and being while exploring sonic texture and droning tones. You can preorder Sufan Stevens’ Carrie & Lowell here and preorder Elverum’s Sauna here. Stream sounds from both below.
