Sufjan Stevens has dedicated his just-released album Javelin to his partner Evans Richardson IV, who died in April.
Stevens, who usually keeps his dating life private, wrote a heartbreaking tribute to Richardson on Tumblr and Instagram, calling him “an absolute gem, full of energy, love, laughter, curiosity, integrity and happy.” He also posted a photo of Richardson smiling while lying in bed with her eyes closed.
Richardson is chief of staff at the Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, and chair of the Accreditation Commission of the American Alliance of Museums.
“This album is dedicated to the light of my life, my beloved partner and best friend Evans Richardson, who passed away in April… He was one of those rare and beautiful people you only meet once in a lifetime. One – precious, impeccable, absolutely outstanding in every way,” the “Alone With You” singer wrote.
Stevens added: “I know relationships can be very difficult at times, but it’s always worth putting in the effort and care for the people you love, especially the ones who are beautiful and who are few and far between. “If you happen to find this love, hold on to it, hold on to it, savor it, take care of it, and give it everything you have, especially in times of trouble.”
“Be kind, be strong, be patient, be tolerant, be energetic, be wise, be yourself. With abundance and grace, with awe and love, with gratitude and joy, live each day as a Live the last day of your life. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and rejoice in it, “concluded the singer-songwriter.
The pair attended the 2018 Academy Awards, where Stevens sang the Oscar-nominated song “Love” from Luca Guadagnino’s romantic drama “Call Me By Your Name.” mystery of”.
Although Stevens had not previously mentioned Richardson’s death, his close collaborator Nico Muhly expressed condolences in an Instagram post in May: “No words can adequately express The depth of our loss and our gratitude for his life.”
Last month, Stevens announced that he had been hospitalized after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, which left him bedridden and unable to walk for weeks. He called the situation “very scary” and said he was undergoing physical and occupational therapy and hoped to be walking within a year.
According to the World Health Organization, Guillain-Barré syndrome is a disorder in which the immune system attacks peripheral nerves, affecting muscle movement and may lead to muscle weakness, loss of sensation in the limbs, and problems with swallowing or breathing.
Stevens said his health issues prevented him from promoting the release of his tenth studio album, “Javelin.”
Over the past few months, Stevens took to Tumblr to share updates on his recovery and recovery in an outpatient facility until his release Thursday.
Although Stevens is known for keeping his dating life out of the public eye, love is a common theme in his music. In June 2019, he wrote a lengthy essay about love and religion on Tumblr as a companion piece to his single “Love Yourself.” Both the article and the song were released ahead of Pride Month, prompting many of his fans in the LGBTQ+ community to claim that both are expressions of queer pride.
The Javelin vinyl includes a 48-page booklet of original art and 10 essays by Stevens in which he further explores the meaning of love—from his first romance to erotica, to his passion for sound.
