Michigan's Sufjan Stevens releases new holiday song 'Lonely Man of Winter'

Sufjan Stevens has long been considered a homegrown national treasure.

The indie-folk songwriter paid homage to the Great Lakes state on his 2003 album, Michigan, sharing somber stories and singing praise on tracks like "For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti" and "Say Yes! to M!ch!gan."

Since then, many years have passed, and many albums have been released, including 2005's critical masterpiece Illinois, 2010's odd and oddly endearing The Age of Adz, and 2015's darkly existential Carrie & Lowell. Although Stevens has kept a low-profile on the touring circuit, he's kept plenty busy with side projects and penning originals for motion pictures like Call Me By Your Name.
When the weather gets chilly, however, its impossible to overlook Stevens impressive catalog of holiday songs, which includes 2006's Songs for Christmas and 2012's Silver and Gold. Now, one long-lost winter gem has been released in the form of "Lonely Man of Winter."

The single, which was originally recorded in 2007 has finally resurfaced, according to NPR. In a Facebook post by Steven's label Asthmatic Kitty Records, the song was "won" years ago by writer Alec Duffy during a "Sufjan Song Christmas Xchange" after Duffy submitted his song "Every Day is Christmas." After years of keeping the song in his private collection, Duffy has now allowed Asthmatic Kitty to release "Lonely Man of Winter," giving listeners a winter-time tune from the songwriter's most crucial period of work.

The Lonely Man of Winter EP features the original recording, along with a new Doveman mix featuring vocals from Melissa Mary Ahern, and Alec Duffy's "Every Day is Christmas."

You can stream the newly released Sufjan Stevens single below.



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