RIFF’s best albums of 2023 include the Rolling Stones, Blink-182, Cleo Sol, Miley Cyrus, Allison Russell, Victoria Monét, Kali Uchis, Fall Out Boy, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Manchester Orchestra, Janelle Monáe, JPEGMafia with Danny Brown, Blondshell, Doja Cat, Andre 3000, Mick Jenkins, Sir Chloe, Ryuchi Sakamoto, James…

Sufjan Stevens, “Javelin” Evolutionary biologists contend that in nature, living things tend to evolve from simple to complex. This natural growth in complexity is seen in single-cell organisms evolving into multi-cellular creatures and eventually into plants and animals over millennia of millennia. But you can also find this increasing…

The best albums of 2021 include Adele, Chvrches, Sufjan Stevens and Angelo de Augustine, Halsey, Lil Nas X, J. Cole, Orla Gartland, Black Country, New Road, Aesop Rock and Blockhead, and Black Veil Brides. Down to the top 20. Whew! Now’s a good time for you to let us…

Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine, courtesy. What could be more beautiful than an artist drawing inspiration from another piece of art to then create his own unique and personal piece? Taylor Swift did it with Reputation after watching Game of Thrones and Jay-Z took the name American Gangster…

As K.D.A.P., Toronto indie rock outfit Broken Social Scene frontman Kevin Drew circumvents the constraints of playing in a band for his first solo album, Influences. At first glance, the compositions might seem like departures from the music he’s made with BSS, but it’s far from the first time Drew has…

The best albums of 2020 include (clockwise from top left): Sufjan Stevens, Jehnny Beth, John Frusciante, METZ, Pearl Jam, clipping., Hailey Whitters, Black Thought, Throwing Muses and Phoebe Bridgers. We’re starting to get into the nitty gritty of our list of the best albums of the year. These next…

Sufjan Stevens has remained busy since he dropped Carrie & Lowell, so it’s easy to forget how long it’s been since his last proper full-length album. He’s spent the past five years collaborating on baroque space odysseys and classical piano ballet scores, but his EP Love Yourself / With…

Considering that his second album ever was an avant-garde electronica concept about the Chinese zodiac, anyone who categorizes Sufjan Stevens as a typical singer songwriter isn’t paying attention. After releasing The Decalogue, the impressionist piano ballet score he composed for Timo Andres, he now collaborates once again with his…

Deep diving into Sufjan Stevens’ catalog reveals he’s far more than an indie folk visionary—from collaborative space operas and glitched-out indietronica to Grammy-nominated soundtrack contributions. So his stints in ballet scoring shouldn’t surprise anyone. In fact, The Decalogue isn’t even his first time working with choreographer Justin Peck for…

Sufjan Stevens. Photos: Paige K. Parsons. Photographer Paige K. Parsons is one of the most recognizable faces at concert venues throughout the Bay Area. Other photographers frequently remark about her skill of capturing the best possible shot while staying out of everyone else’s line of sight. And RIFF is…