Sufjan Stevens has shared On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better) ahead of Worst Christmas Ever!, due November 6 through Asthmatic Kitty. The 16-track compilation combines holiday standards and the songwriter’s seasonal originals. It draws on his earlier Christmas collections, extending a recording project that began in 2001 and includes more than 100 songs.
Singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens has shared On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better).[1], [2]
Singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens has released On This Christmas (It Only Gets Better) ahead of his seasonal compilation Worst Christmas Ever! Record label Asthmatic Kitty has scheduled the album for November 6. Its 16 tracks combine familiar Christmas songs with Stevens’ own compositions, with the new recording placed eighth in the sequence.[1]
An accompanying statement puts Stevens’ Christmas output at more than 100 songs written and recorded since 2001. The compilation draws from Songs for Christmas, Vols. 1–5 and the 2012 box set Silver & Gold: Songs for Christmas, Vols. 6–10. Musicians involved across those recordings include The National’s Aaron and Bryce Dessner, Arcade Fire’s Richard Reed Parry, and Cat Martino, Gabriel Kahane and Casey Foubert.[1]
Silent Night begins the album, followed by Put the Lights on the Tree and Holly Jolly Christmas. The list also includes Christmas in the Room, Sister Winter and Joy to the World. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear appears in two versions, labeled Christmas Infinity Voyage and Christmas Unicorn. The closing songs include Sleigh Ride, Justice Delivers Its Gift, Auld Lang Syne and Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages). Stevens’ latest new album was 2023’s Javelin; anniversary editions of Seven Swans and Carrie & Lowell followed in 2024 and last year respectively.[1]
