Fourth of July

On July 1st, Sufjan Stevens released two alternate versions of his song, “Fourth of July” via Asthmatic Kitty Records. The new versions are “Fourth of July (April Base Version)”, recorded in Eau Claire, WI at Justin Vernon’s April Base studio, and “Fourth of July (DUMBO Version)”, recorded in Sufjan’s old studio in Brooklyn, NY. The original version of “Fourth of July” appeared on Sufjan’s album, Carrie & Lowell — a deeply personal album written to process his sorrow after the death of his mother, Carrie. Sufjan would work and rework, and record and re-record, trying to manage the grief. The refrain of the song, “We’re all gonna die,” became an anchor in each version he recorded. At the time of its release and when Sufjan would perform the song live on tour, this lyric and fact of life seemed to shock listeners. Yet its solemnity invited them to feel comfort, connection — even joy — wrought from great pain. The song has recently had a resurgence with listeners — which may speak to a deep national grief and a yearning to heal. A limited run of red 7" vinyl were released in December 2022.