Sufjan Stevens’ new record Javelin (released today via Asthmatic Kitty) has been widely described as a breakup record due to its themes of heartbreak and pain. The theme became clearer on Friday morning when Stevens wrote and uploaded an album dedication to his late “Beloved” costar Evan Richardson, who died in April.
“This album is dedicated to the light of my life, my beloved partner and best friend, Evans Richardson,” Stevens wrote alongside a photo of Richardson smiling. “He was an absolute gem of a human being, full of life, love, laughter, curiosity, integrity and joy. He was one of those rare and beautiful people that come once in a lifetime – precious, impeccable, and in every way It’s definitely different in every way.”
Stevens has kept his private life offline for most of his long career, never really speaking out about his personal life or his sexual orientation. He really does this just to make his artistic decisions known to the public, as much as his dedication.
“I know relationships can be very difficult at times, but it’s always worth the effort and care for the people you love, especially the beautiful ones who are few and far between,” he continued in the post. “If you happen to find that love, hold on to it, hold on to it, savor it, care for it, and give it everything you have, especially in times of trouble.”
Earlier this year, Stevens also shared his diagnosis of Guillain-Barré, a neurological disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks parts of the peripheral nervous system. Stevens posted a lengthy post on his social media platform of choice, Tumblr, explaining that he had exited the promotional cycle for “Javelin” because he had been undergoing “intense” physical therapy in the hospital to regain control of himself body.
On October 5, Stevens said in another Tumblr post that he would be leaving the hospital for treatment and would “continue to work in home and outpatient care.” “Thank you for following my hospital blog. Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes. Pray for world peace. I wish you all the best. Stay safe. Just be yourself.”
