Stevens at ‘Adz’ with expectations

It’s been five years since Sufjan Stevens released his last song-based album, “Illinois,” and fans have been waiting for a proper follow-up ever since. “The Age of Adz” (pronounced “odds”) finally fulfills that desire, but it’s likely to confound the expectations of as many fans as it delights.

“Adz” is full of Stevens’ usual elements: extended instrumentation, breathy vocals and piercingly earnest lyrics. But unlike previous efforts, this new album is full of glitchy breaks and bits of electronica. One can hear a not-totally-superficial resemblance to Radiohead’s “Kid A,” which also added electronica to that band’s palette and followed a more experimental direction.

“Adz” may sound like a complete departure from “Illinois,” but it’s actually a summation of Stevens’ post-“Illinois” releases; the studio manipulations and computerized messiness of “You are the Blood” from the “Dark was the Night” compilation have been mixed with the grand orchestrations of “The BQE” to magnificent effect. It’s a difficult combination, but it’s one that is ultimately rewarding.

The songs on “Age of Adz” switch between moments of pure bliss and schizophrenia (fittingly, the album is inspired by Royal Robertson, an artist with schizophrenia).

Just as the computerized textures begin to seem unbearable, beautiful orchestral flourishes come to the rescue. The finale, “Impossible Soul,” is a 25-minute exploration of Stevens’ diverse moods, peppered with bits of acoustic bliss that eventually mutate into one of the darkest pieces in Stevens’ catalogue. It’s essentially a microcosm of the whole album.

Some will miss the unbridled joy of “Illinois,” and perhaps Stevens’ next album will return that optimism to the mix for an even greater synthesis. Until then, “Adz” remains a dark but captivating step in Stevens’ journey.