Sufjan Stevens – “No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross” (SONG REVIEW)

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After a relatively quiet past four or five years, Sufjan Stevens is about ready to emerge back into the musical spotlight. His new album, Carrie & Lowell, is set for a March 31st release, and a bevy of North American tour dates are on tap for the spring and summer seasons. And if the album’s first single, “No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross,” is any indication, Stevens has moved away from the electronic-tinged song-craft of 2010’s The Age Of Adz, instead hearkening back to the gently lilting, folk-inflected stylings of his masterworks, Illinois and Michigan.

The new song is short in length, but sweet in spirit, with breathy and whispered vocals singing over a softly strummed finger-picked acoustic guitar. He is again addressing something personally cryptic with a set of haunting lyrics that contain a little religious imagery thrown in the mix, as well. There’s a prevalent hiss buzzing underneath it all (according to Stevens, it’s his air conditioner blasting on high), which gives the song an almost demo-like feel. Similarly, it’s very easy to picture Stevens perched atop a stool running through this new track to an unexpected gathering of coffee-house dwellers. While The Age of Adz was pleasantly reviewed, it mystified some of his long time fans. Judging from the current vibe here, it looks like some of those fans may be pleased with his return direction.