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Meg Lui Announces Debut Album Instant Validation Produced By Sufjan Stevens: Hear “Elvis Queen”
Californian-born, Hudson Valley-based singer-songwriter Meg Lui has announced her debut album, "Instant Validation," produced by Sufjan Stevens and released via his Asthmatic Kitty Records. The announcement arrives alongside a new single, "Elvis Queen," and follows her signing to the label in February 2026, when she released her first single, "Gone Girl."
"Elvis Queen" is a folk-rock track written for Lui's late Elvis-loving aunt, sped up from its original slow arrangement to reflect her aunt's joyful personality; it features Stevens on backing vocals alongside Liam Kazar, Chris Holdridge and David Lizmi. The 12-track album, recorded at Stevens' studio with contributions from Hudson Valley musicians including Hannah Cohen, Sam Evian, Keenan O'Meara and Olivier Manchon, is due out on 25 September via Asthmatic Kitty.
In short
- Meg Lui announces debut album "Instant Validation," produced by Sufjan Stevens
- New single "Elvis Queen" written as a tribute to her aunt
- Album out 25 September via Asthmatic Kitty Records
Explained simply
Meg Lui is a singer-songwriter from California now based in the Hudson Valley. She has announced her debut album, "Instant Validation," which will be released through Asthmatic Kitty Records, a record label founded by musician Sufjan Stevens.
Stevens, the album's producer, is an established musician who runs his own record label. Lui signed to Asthmatic Kitty Records in February 2026 and has been working with Stevens and other Hudson Valley-based musicians on the album.
The album features folk-rock songs and was recorded at Stevens' studio. A new track, "Elvis Queen," which Lui wrote to honour her late aunt, gives a sense of the style and features Stevens on backing vocals.
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