#Not that TS11 won't have connection points

[dontmeanyoudontmissit]

My only TS11 thought is that Midnights was a very Eras inspired album so it made extra sense to release during The Eras Era. Not sure TS11 will be?

[septembersghost]

https://people.com/stephen-sanchez-angel-face-album-exclusive-interview-7973721

Part of the musician's reasoning for crafting a fictional narrative behind Angel Face is so he doesn't have to let listeners in on his real-life love again after "Until I Found You." "The only relationship I want people to care about is the one between the Troubadour and Evangeline," declares Sanchez. "As far as my relationship, I think I want to be the only one that thinks about it."

god i would sell a kidney to get this kind of content from taylor (folkmore did not do this lol) and for us to reach this point with her

i'm sorry it took me a few days to circle back to this - i just sent this article to a friend when i was recommending him! I LOVE A CONCEPT ALBUM, and i'm not surprised to read that it was ben schneider who convinced him to make the story a tragedy (lord huron is nothing if not spectacular at concept album tragic romances).

taylor is diaristic songwriter, but i really empathize with and understand where stephen is coming from here, especially being so young. he doesn't want that invasion into his personal life, and he shouldn't have to have that - no one should have to endure that to create their art. "I think it's so exciting that there's somebody beyond just me that they can attach themselves to."

i don't think i've ever talked about this, but when i was very young and dreamed for a bit about being a singer (again, i realize now i could not withstand that life), the dream that went with it was changing my name and only singing standards or fiction. i never wanted to be personally exposed, looking back on it i think i romanticized the idea of being a kind of enigma. (probably also a big part of my attraction to musical theatre.) and his approach to this is so fresh and unique, not only in its timelessness and homage to the classics, but the way he's crafted this whole tale and journey, and gotten listeners invested in the characters. it's so cool that he's even creating that world and story in his live performances. i do dream of taylor creating an entirely fictional world someday, be that on a self-contained record or in a dramatic sense (like a stage musical, if she ever wants to undertake that). her personal, revealing lyricism has long been considered a strength, but it's easy to imagine her switching that up again someday. (TS11 being fictional would be the best flex ever tbh. just deprive everyone of their gossipy tea. i know that won't happen, but i would love that for her.)

anyway, angel face is easily one of my favorite albums of the year and i hope he keeps receiving positive acclaim and attention.

i loved the conclusion of the pitchfork review: ‘Angel Face’ is not only a testament to Sanchez’s musicality now, but to the projected trail of success his talent will no doubt lead him on. “The story of Troubadour Sanchez is something I feel deeply connected to,” Stephen said in a statement accompanying the album. “Even if his ending was bleak, he lived life with an undeniable passion.” If undeniable passion is Sanchez’s medium of choice, ‘Angel Face’ is his first great oeuvre.