Sufjan Stevens shared the video for new single “Sugar.” The song will land on the singer-songwriter’s upcoming album, The Ascension, set for release on on September 25 via Asthmatic Kitty Records.
Filmed in Brooklyn, the visual features renowned dancers Raymond Pinto, Samantha Figgans, Celeste Mason and Walter Russell III led by acclaimed choreographer Kyle Abraham with direction from Ezra Hurwitz.
“The way I approach choreography tends to blend elements of the everyday with moments of abstraction,” Abraham said in a statement. “I was compelled by the tempo and the tone of the song…especially when choreographing the duet material and solo material for Samantha Figgans and Raymond Pinto. This song and its undertones created a lot of really fun scenarios to play with choreographically.”
Stevens also detailed the song. Read his words below:
“Sugar” is ultimately about the desire for goodness and purity (and true sustenance). On the surface the song is just a string of clichés, but the message is imperative: now is the time to gather what is good and pure and valuable and make it your own, and share it with others. Feed your soul and speak new life into those around you. Give each other love, respect and sacrifice. Relinquish all the old habits, all the old ways of thinking and doing, all former practices—‘business as usual’—and bring new life to the world. This is our calling.
Watch the video for “Sugar” below:
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