Photo by Philip Cosores
The second half of 2017 has seen Sufjan Stevens operating in a rather prolific state. In June, he teamed up with Nico Muhly and The National’s Bryce Dessner on the space-themed album Planetarium, and just last month, put out the excellent soundtrack to Luca Guadagnino’s equally impressive new film, Call Me By Your Name.
Now, Stevens has shared The Greatest Gift, a mixtape of outtakes, demos, and remixes from his studio sessions for 2015’s Carrie & Lowell. The 12-track effort is highlighted by four previously unreleased songs in “Wallowa Lake Monster”, “The Hidden River of My Life,” “City of Roses”, and “The Greatest Gift”. There’s also a fingerpicking rendition of “Drawn to the Blood”, and iPhone-recorded demo versions of “John My Beloved” and “Carrie & Lowell”. Reworks by longtime colleague Roberto C. Lange (aka Helado Negro) and Planetarium collaborator James McAlister (aka 900X) are also included.
(Read: 10 Songs That Get Real About Mental Health)
A portion of the mixtape proceeds will benefit the Cancer Support Community.
The Greatest Gift Mixtape Artwork:
The Greatest Gift Mixtape Tracklist:
01. Wallowa Lake Monster
02. Drawn to the Blood (Sufjan Stevens Remix)
03. Death with Dignity (Helado Negro Remix)
04. John My Beloved (iPhone Demo)
05. Drawn to the Blood (Fingerpicking Remix)
06. The Greatest Gift
07. Exploding Whale (Doveman Remix)
08. All of Me Wants All of You (Helado Negro Remix)
09. Fourth of July (900X Remix)
10. The Hidden River of My Life
11. City of Roses
12. Carrie & Lowell (iPhone Demo)
