Asthmatic Kitty Records and Sounds Familyre are proud to launch THE 50 STATES by Sufjan Stevens, a cumulative recording project unparalleled in its panoramic enterprise: a record for each state. Stevens inaugurates the event with a collection of songs for his birth-state: "Michigan: The Great Lake State." Composed as a geographical tone poem, "Michigan" follows a metaphysical expedition through the idiosyncrasies of middle America. Drawing from personal anecdote, regional history, and state heritage, Stevens mixes social and political grievances with songs about snowmobiles, Henry Ford, the Detroit race riots, and love.