Aporia (Limited Edition Yellow Vinyl LP)

In 2008, Asthmatic Kitty records released a curiosity as part of their now defunct "Library Catalog Music Series" - a demented and wide-ranging UR jam called Music for Insomnia credited to Lowell Brams. On further examination, the liner notes revealed that this banquet of disquieting vibrations included a significant collaborator: the multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens. Since Asthmatic Kitty was Stevens' main outlet, and Lowell Brams was the label's founder (and Sufjan's stepdad), this pairing wasn't surprising. But the musical output was.

Music For Insomnia was an entire album of drones, dissonance and queasy synth squelches replete with titles that referenced various sleep aids and disturbances.

Sufjan and Lowell never stopped making music together. After over 10 years without a co-release, the music on their new, mostly instrumental album Aporia is everything that Insomnia is not. Where Insomnia alienates, Aporia charms. Where Insomnia is frivolous, Aporia's 21 tightly crafted songs resonate with a gem-like intensity.