The first time I heard Sufjan Stevens’ music, I felt haunted, pained, and deeply moved all at once. I spent months listening to his songs nonstop and piecing together the meanings of his lyrics, which are filled with metaphors about his lived experiences and feelings. A couple weeks ago I rediscovered his music, including his newest album Javelin. Even after years, I had the same visceral reaction to his music–my heart physically hurt the entire time I listened to the new songs. Stevens’ talent for evoking emotion with music is beyond compare, and Javelin may be his best example of it yet.
Stevens’ previous discography captures a unique blend of genres, carrying elements from lofi, folk, indie, and more. His albums are diverse in their themes while maintaining the same gentle yet thought-provoking feelings. His earlier albums, including Michigan and Illinois, explore faith, community, despair, and love. One of his most popular albums, Carrie & Lowell, describes his nuanced relationship with his late mother, creating an intricate portrait of grief that was widely praised. He has also enjoyed success in his work on the soundtrack for the 2017 film Call Me By Your Name.
Javelin is filled with Stevens’ signature gentle tones and intricate lyricism. He dedicated it to his partner, who passed away in April 2023. Opening with the lyrics “Goodbye, Evergreen / You know I love you / But everything heaven sent / Must burn out in the end,” the encompassing grief can easily be felt. Javelin features heart-wrenching songs such as “So You Are Tired,” which mourns love that has slowly turned one-sided, and “Goodbye Evergreen,” which is about coming to terms with the loss of his partner. “Will Anybody Ever Love Me?”’s overwhelmingly earnest lyricism combined with its floaty melody embodies the style Stevens is known for. However, the album overlaps between devastating and hopeful in many of its songs– “Everything That Rises” begins sounding slow and heavy, and the tone lifts throughout the song until it ends lightly. “My Red Little Fox” describes love more hopefully than many of his other songs.
The album was released during a difficult time in Stevens’ life; on top of the loss of his partner, he was recently diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome: an autoimmune disease that causes nerve damage, and in Stevens’ case, paralysis. He has been open about the ups and downs of his recovery on his Instagram; he discusses how the situation has helped him find positivity despite the physical toll it has taken on his health, calling the experience a “blessing in disguise.”
“I know I’ve often been the poster child of pain, loss, and loneliness. And I can be a misanthrope at times. But the past month has renewed my hope in humanity,” said Stevens in an Instagram post, describing the tireless effort his doctors and nurses put into caring for patients. Javelin reflects this outlook, eloquently blending both heartbreak and hope.
Stevens wrote the album dedication to his late partner on Instagram, where he encouraged his listeners to never take their loved ones for granted. “If you happen to find that kind of love, hold it close, hold it tight, savor it, tend to it, and give it everything you’ve got,” he said. Javelin is made even more meaningful with its background, and the authenticity with which Stevens has shared it. It serves as a reminder to hold the important things in life–love, honesty, and connection, close to our hearts.