SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SUFJAN STEVENS, TIMO ANDRES, CONOR HANICK – REFLECTIONS

Sufjan Stevens, Timo Andres, Conor Hanick
Reflections
Asthmatic Kitty Records

Indie legend Sufjan Stevens has been on the music scene since the 90s and constantly finds new ways to challenge himself. His latest album, Reflections with Timo Andres and Conor Hanick, is a studio recording of his score for a Justin Peck-choreographed ballet from 2019 and happens to be Stevens’ first album to be written for two pianos. Reflections manages to be both bold and creative and often shows the impressive range that the piano can have. However, it is not as mesmerizing or spectacular as some of Stevens’ older albums.

The seven-track album is composed by Stevens and performed by Andres and Hanick. Many tracks are sophisticated, elaborate, smooth, and free-flowing. Some overstay their welcome, are generic, and get a tad bit repetitive, but for the most part, Stevens, Andres, and Hanick have enough tricks up their sleeves to keep listeners engaged.

Compared to some of Stevens’ older stuff, Reflections does not stand out.  None of the tracks are as memorable as “Chicago” or as gorgeous as “Fourth Of July”, but they are by no means bad songs. “Reflexion” is one of the highlights from the album. It sounds so much like something Philip Glass composed for The Hours. It is definitely the most beautiful song from Reflections.

Even though Stevens might not have any vocals in Reflections, his presence is still felt. Only he could come up with a title like “And I Shall Come To You Like A Stormtrooper In Drag Serving Imperial Realness”. The warm and gentle “Mnemosyne” is the most Sufjan Stevens-sounding track from the album, and at times you can picture some vulnerable and depressing lyrics being sung by Stevens.

Overall, Reflections has some interesting moments but ends up being somewhat disappointing.

Sufjan Stevens Links