Sufjan Stevens has shared new single/video, “Will Anybody Ever Love Me?,” the song is lifted from his forthcoming album, Javelin, which drops on October 6th via Asthmatic Kitty Records. “Will Anybody Ever Love Me?” follows lead single “So You Are Tired.” The track offers another heart shattering glimpse at Javelin’s vulnerable contours. Beginning with just finger-plucked strings and Stevens’ inimitable voice, “Will Anybody Ever Love Me?” reaches one of the most cathartic heights of his diverse discography: “Will anybody ever love me?/For good reasons/Without grievance, not for sport/Will anybody ever love me?/In every season/Pledge allegiance to my heart/Pledge allegiance to my burning heart.”

On the self-produced “Will Anybody Ever Love Me?,” Stevens plays every instrument with additional vocals from adrienne maree brown, Hannah Cohen, and Megan Lui. Comments from each on working with Stevens are below, along with additional thoughts from the “Will Anybody Ever Love Me?” video director and longtime Stevens collaborator, Stephen Halker.

Independent record stores across the world will be hosting Javelin listening parties on September 19th outside of North America and October 3rd in North America. Participating stores and times in the US are included below, and a full list of international cities and stores is available here. The events are free to attend. Each store will have wristbands for pickup in advance to reserve a spot, and the first 30 attendees at each store will be given a poster. Additionally, the album will be available for early purchase.

Sufjan Stevens Javelin N. American Listening Parties

All October 3rd at local time listed below

Philadelphia, PA @ Repo Records – 5pm
New York, NY @ Rough Trade NYC – 6pm
Atlanta, GA @ Criminal Records – 4pm
Chicago, IL @ Reckless Records, Milwaukee Ave. – 5pm
Chicago, IL @ Reckless Records, Belmont Ave. – 5pm
Nashville, TN @ Grimey’s – 4pm
Austin, TX @ Waterloo Records – 7pm
Toronto, ON @ Sonic Boom Records – 6pm
Vancouver, BC @ Neptoon Records – 5pm
Montreal, QC @ Le Vacarme – 5pm
Wilmington, NC @ The Fuzzy Needle Records and Books – 6pm
Charleston, SC @ J. Stark – 5pm
Chattanooga, TN @ Yellow Racket Records – 6:30pm
Toledo, OH @ Culture Clash – 6pm
Seattle, WA @ Easy Street Records – 6pm
Indianapolis, IN @ Luna Music – 6pm
Halifax, NS @ Obsolete Records – 2pm
Orlando, FL @ Park Ave CDs – 7pm

Pre-order Javelin by Sufjan Stevens HERE