Sufjan Stevens – All Delighted People EP

Following the strange diversion of his BQE project that evidently left many fans scratching their concerned heads, Sufjan Stevens makes something of a further left turn with this ‘EP’ (clocking in at just under an hour in length, this is very much an extended play), albeit in a fashion that should be more familiar to his devoted fanbase.

Centring on two versions of the enormous, loping beast that is the title track, All Delighted People is a vast orchestral experience that alternates swiftly between indulgent epics like ‘Djohariah’ (endless guitar noodling that eventually reaches a touching, song-based conclusion) and inventive acoustica like ‘Enchanting Ghost’.

The ‘rock’ version of ‘All Delighted People’ is a straight-up aural delight, replacing the vertiginous, scaling sweep of the song’s initial incarnation with picked banjo and blaring brass. Sadly it omits almost four minutes of the original’s running time, and in the process sheds some of the overall sense of awe and wonder. It is, however, the most accessible and instantly likeable track of the eight on offer here.

While some complain that Stevens’ relationship with The National has left him nowadays ploughing a less delicate or ingenious furrow than before, this is not evident here. If anything, this new material is more obtuse, more searching and more self-aware than anything since his brilliant Illinois opus. And although it may not share the same tunefulness and neatly themed consistency of that landmark outing, ADP is nevertheless a record of invention, spontaneity and not inconsiderable charm.

While we await a ‘proper’ album from Stevens, this is a more than adequate reminder of the man’s gentle genius. The Paul Simon-referencing alone, and one particular choral break in the opening track (you’ll know it when you hear it) make it a thing of near-wonder without even breaking a sweat.