Sufjan Stevens, born in Detroit in 1975, plays almost all instruments. He dedicated two of his albums to the states of Michigan and Illinois. “The Ascension” will follow soon.
Sufjan Stevens: „Video Game“. There is a great tradition of songs of denial in pop, just think of Dylan’s “Maggie’s Farm” or Lennon’s “I Don’t Wanna Be a Soldier”. Sufjan Stevens follows this tradition, but without any rebellious gesture, but dreamily, as if he was already in the video game that he rejects. What kind of game can that be? A quiet, magical one, that’s what the sounds say. A religious connotation, that is what the text says: “I don’t wanna be your personal Jesus”, Stevens sings – in reference to Depeche Mode? – and: “In a way I wanna be my own redeemer.” His own savior, in the real world. Not in a simulation that leads you to believe that you are “the center of the universe”. But isn’t that everyone? He just wanted to make his life a little easier, Stevens breathes, but the gentle vortex won’t let go of him, his mantra circles itself, he can’t escape this game. Captivating.
The song of the week is chosen every week by Thomas Kramar (“Die Presse”) and Christoph Sepin (Radio FM4). It can be heard on Sunday between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on FM4. More information on www.diepresse.com/songderwoche and fm4.ORF.at.
(“Die Presse”, print edition, August 15, 2020)
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