As Sufjan Stevens prepares to set off on a new tour in support of his album Carrie & Lowell, which is still a strong contender for 2015 album of the year for many, he's dropped a new electronic remix of the soft and devastatingly emotional song "Blue Bucket of Gold."
Members of his touring band reportedly remixed the song while on the road by Tucker Martine in Portland, Oregon, and at Stevens' studio in Brooklyn. According to Pitchfork, this remix is more in line with how the band plans to perform the song live from here on out.
The remix of the album's final song sounds as if The Postal Service got their hands on the song and turned it into a peppy tune shrouded in electronic dissonance. Sparkling bells lead the song into the chorus that's been made bigger than ever with bright keys and synth. The increased production on the song plays up the constant struggle fans feel on the throughout the album between the feelings of sadness and hope for the future.
Listening back to the song's original version, it becomes clear how obvious this transition to a more electronic sound is. The soft piano and chorus of voices can be substituted for more modern sounds and Stevens' voice is still as hauntingly beautiful as ever.
This isn't the Stevens' first foray into electronic music; he delved into the world of synths after his signature folk sound first gained him popularity. Most notably this sound manifested in Age of Adz. Carrie and Lowell was meant to be a call back to his folk roots, and while it still is, obviously Stevens still has a yearning for those electronic sounds, especially if he'll be playing the song this way live.
Gallant, with his break out single "Weight In Gold," is set to join Stevens on his fall tour as the folk musician takes on a slightly altered sound on one of the years finest albums. The two should be a solid pair as they both know how to hit that perfect high falseetto note.
Sufjan Stevens Tour Dates:
10/24: Santa Barbara, CA @ The Arlington Theatre
10/25: Phoenix, AZ @ Orpheum Theatre
10/26: Albuquerque, NM @ Popejoy Hall
10/27: Denver, CO @ Paramount Theater
10/28: Omaha, NE @ Orpheum Theater
10/30: Buffalo, NY @ The Center For The Arts University At Buffalo
11/01: Baltimore, MD @ Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
11/03: Pittsburgh, PA @ Heinz Hall
11/04: Charlotte, NC @ Ovens Auditorium
11/05: Atlanta, GA @ Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
11/06: Orlando, FL @ Dr. Phillips Center For The Performing Arts
11/07: Miami, FL @ Olympia Theater at Gusman Center
11/09: Charleston, SC @ North Charleston Performing Arts Center
11/10: Birmingham, AL @ Alabama Theatre
11/11: Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
11/12: Louisville, KY @ Robert S. Whitney Hall, The Kentucky Center
11/13: Cincinnati, OH @ Aronoff Center
