Sufjan Stevens' Dark Christmas Obsession

Sufjan Stevens' "Silver & Gold" presents a sprawling, nearly three-hour, 59-track exploration of his complex relationship with Christmas. Released as a follow-up to his previous holiday collection, this box set offers a deep dive into what he describes as a conflicted Christmas heart.

The extensive package includes a fold-it-yourself star ornament, stickers, temporary tattoos, a poster, and an 80-page booklet. The accompanying booklet features Stevens' own essays, which critically examine holiday traditions, particularly Christmas trees, labeling them symbols of environmental destruction. It also includes an essay from a pastor that starkly concludes, "Advent is ultimately about death. The end is near. You are going to die."

Musically, "Silver & Gold" ranges widely, incorporating original songs alongside covers that span reverent, intergalactic, and angelic styles, with some tracks bordering on the absurd. The visual elements, such as the stickers and tattoos, feature unsettling imagery like a chainsaw-wielding snowman and a skeleton soldier. Stevens' essays in the booklet further articulate his critique of holiday consumerism, likening individuals to spoiled children demanding unattainable desires.