Marking a return to his indie-folk roots, American singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens’ track ‘Death With Dignity’ is a hauntingly beautiful tale of bereavement. The melancholy tune is taken from Stevens’ new album Carrie & Lowell, dedicated to his mother Carrie who suffered from a number of illnesses, passing away in 2012, and his stepfather Lowell.
Stevens’ breathy vocals featuring a delicate fingerpicked guitar and sporadic piano, illustrates a sense of loneliness and loss. His pain however, is drawn from the deficient relationship he had with his mother whilst she was alive. He admits in a later verse “I forgive you, mother, I can hear you / I long to be near you / but every road leads to an end” signalling Stevens’ nostalgic farewell.
The song is unlike anything from his previous electronic pop-inspired album The Age of Adz and is sure to have people ringing up their mums.
Words by Nizza Munoz
@neezahh