Sufjan Stevenshas been a bit quiet as of late, but that silence is about to be broken with the release of his ninth album. 'Carrie & Lowell' is set for release on March 31 on Asthmatic Kitty.

Sufjan Stevens
Asthmatic Kitty
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The album title comes from the name of Stevens' mother and stepfather, and the sleeve appears to feature them as cover stars. In a press release, Stevens said the songs on the album are all about "life and death, love and loss, and the artist's struggle to make sense of the beauty and ugliness of love." He also promises the style to be a return to his "folk roots."

To accompany the announcement of the album, his first since 'The Age of Adz' in 2010,  there is a video trailer that features a small slice of music -- you can see it below. "'Carrie & Lowell' sounds like memory: It spans decades yet does not trade on pastiche or nostalgia," a press blurb states, adding that it "accomplishes the rare thing that any art should achieve, particularly in these noisy and fragmented days: By seeking to understand, Sufjan makes us feel less alone."

'Carrie & Lowell' Track List
1. 'Death With Dignity'
2. 'Should Have Known Better'
3. 'All of Me Wants All of You'
4. 'Drawn to the Blood'
5. 'Fourth of July'
6. 'The Only Thing'
7. 'Carrie & Lowell'
8. 'Eugene'
9. 'John My Beloved'
10. 'No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross'
11. 'Blue Bucket of Gold'

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