LP – Limited Dinked Archive Edition #19 (*1 per customer)

Cream in black Corona coloured vinyl *
Bonus 2 track flexi disc 7
7 origami swan sheets (with instructions) *
Silver foil sleeve artwork
Dinked Archive obi-strip & sticker *
Hand-numbered *
Limited pressing of 1000 *

* = EXCLUSIVE to Dinked Edition

The follow-up to 2003s Michigan, Sufjan Stevens Seven Swans was released originally in 2004. The Guardian dubbed it a record of remarkable delicacy, and Billboard called it a consistently moving, subtly beautiful experience.

The folk songs of Sufjans Seven Swans occupy a singular space in his catalogue. The quiet, psalm-like music arrived less than a year after his 2003 breakthrough album, Michigan and his much-publicized announcement to write an album for each of the 50 states. Just as wider audiences were becoming acquainted with the ever-evolving artistwho had, by this point, released a lo-fi folk-pop collage (2000s A Sun Came), a Zodiac-inspired electronic suite (2001s Enjoy Your Rabbit), and a grand, orchestral epic to kickstart his exploration of the country (Michigan)he re-introduced himself in hushed tones.

Despite cultivating a vast influence that spans genres, Seven Swans is defined by its sense of intimacy. Think of it as Stevens self-penned book of prayer, a talisman thats never been far from reach. This was a time in his career when his songwriting dealt explicitly with themes of Christianity, and his stark performances helped bring the celestial down to earth. Staples of his songbook like The Dress Looks Nice on You and To Be Alone With You are disarming in their gentleness, and for every gesture toward a divine presence, Stevens knew how to balance it with a vulnerable expression of humanity, using the language of love songs to outline the shadow of uncertainty in devoting ourselves to something bigger. Listening to Seven Swans leaves us with enough hope, mystery, and wisdom to make it feel alive and exalting whenever we return.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this now-beloved piece of Sufjans catalogue, AKR is releasing a Dinked Edition exclusive. Pressed on cream-in-black corona vinyl and housed in a matte jacket with embossing and a spot gloss finish, the LP package will include a flexi disc featuring two bonus tracks, I Went Dancing With My Sister and Waste of What Your Kids Won’t Have. The Dinked edition also comes with seven sheets of origami paper, in order to craft seven origami swans.

Tracklist:

Side A
1. All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands
2. The Dress Looks nice On You
3. In the Devils Territory
4. To Be Alone With You
5. Abraham
6. Sister

Side B
1. Size Too Small
2. We Wont Need Legs To Stand
3. A Good Man is Hard to Find
4. He Woke Me Up Again
5. Seven Swans
6. The Transfiguration

Flexi Disc:
1. I Went Dancing With My Sister
2. Waste of What Your Kids Wont Have