Sufjan Stevens - heirloom, 2010

"Heirloom" is an economical title for a Sufjan Stevens song, and it's the shortest tune on his surprise All Delighted People EP. Across its three minutes, a few acoustic guitars intertwine. There's a little harp on the bridge, some airy background vocals, and, at the center, Sufjan's voice and words. It's a simple song, relatively speaking. It doesn't sound like the showy, winged return of a guy who's done everything over the last five years except make a proper follow-up album to his towering Illinois. "Heirloom" is like Sufjan showing up to your apartment unannounced, saying "hi," playing a few songs, saying "thanks," and then leaving without explanation. There's a lingering effect."