Sufjan Stevens – “On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better)”

Sufjan Stevens has been keeping a low profile in recent years. He hadn't toured since 2016 or even appeared onstage since 2018 before performing as part of Meg Lui's band at the September release show for Instant Validation, an album he produced. Though he continued to release music after retreating from the road, it's been a slow crawl back to public life since the dual blows he suffered early this decade: the death of his partner and a surprise bout of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, which left him unable to walk. But projects like producing John Legend's children's album have helped him get his feet wet again.Today he makes another comeback of sorts with the release of his first Christmas song in 15 years. Christmas music used to be a cottage industry for Stevens within his broader canon. He released two entirely distinct five-EP box sets full of holiday music in 2006 and 2012. But after that, he directed his attention elsewhere. A new compilation out later this week called Worst Christmas Ever! brings together highlights from those yuletide releases into one disc, and it features a brand new song that doubles as the first new Sufjan Stevens track since his life turned upside down.That...