As you may have heard, Sufjan Stevens announced his return to music via a collaboration with John Legend on his children's album My Favourite Dream, which came out today.
The singer-songwriter had been somewhat forced into hiatus after both his diagnosis with Guillain–Barré syndrome and the devasting loss of his long-term partner Evans Richardson. Now, Stevens has explained his return to music in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
"One of the main reasons I decided to do John's album is because I hadn't been able to really work on anything outside of self-care and rehabilitation," Stevens said. "I finally wanted to get back to work, but I didn't really have the mental capacity to write my own music. This stuff felt wholesome and pure and safe.
"I think there's also a general apocalyptic anxiety that pervades a lot of our culture today," he added. "What I love about these songs is that they focus on the kinds of aphorisms that speak directly to our fears and worries. You don't have to be a kid to appreciate what he's singing about."
Legend, a father of four, called Stevens's music "relaxing and stimulating at the same time," qualities he sought out for the album: "I wanted this to feel dreamy and whimsical and adventurous and fun."
Stevens shared, "I don't have kids, so I'm not too aware of all the accoutrement of kids: the toys and the media and all that," instead referencing music that children like for inspiration, including that of Sesame Street and the Muppets, as well as Stevie Wonder, Henry Mancini, the Beatles and Serge Gainsbourg.
"The '80s were one of the most colourful and cartoonish decades in pop history," he said. "There was something very bright and primal about a lot of that stuff. I remember being like five and being really into Michael Jackson."
As for his impression of Legend, "He's a shape-shifter. I could feel the curiosity behind what he does."
He's not wrong. The album sounds pretty unlike Legend's typical output — a lot of that is due to Stevens's unmistakable influence. Listen to it below, if you like.