Meg Lui’s Debut Album, ‘Instant Validation,’ Produced By Sufjan Stevens, Now Available To Pre-Order
Asthmatic Kitty is thrilled to announce Meg Lui’s debut album, Instant Validation, out September 25th and available for pre-order now. Produced by Sufjan Stevens, the album marks Meg’s first full-length project after years of musical soul-searching and is a radiant showcase for Lui’s rare balance of tender sincerity, quick-witted charm, and joyfully unbound imagination. Alongside the announcement, we’re pleased to also release the lead single, “Elvis Queen,” a rapturous, sprawling reflection on the passing of her aunt – out now with a video directed by Joe Raffanti.
On Instant Validation, Northern California-born singer/songwriter Meg Lui shares an up-close glimpse into the magnificently curious wonderland of her mind, offering up a batch of songs both rooted in raw emotion and inhabited by a fantastically surreal cast of characters: anthropomorphic flowers, sea monsters, Elvis Presley, the ill-fated lovers of ancient Greek myths. The album brings Lui’s intimate songwriting to an extravagantly detailed sound anchored in her warm yet commanding voice—an instrument she’s wielded to glorious effect in singing background vocals on acclaimed releases like Stevens’ Javelin and John Legend’s My Favorite Dream. Instant Validation includes additional contributions from her Hudson Valley, NY, musical community, including: Hannah Cohen (backing vocals); Sam Evian (alto sax); David Lizmi (bass); Chris Holdridge (drums); Lui’s partner Keenan O’Meara (production, guitar, and vocals); Olivier Manchon (violin and viola); with Stevens playing nearly all the other instruments.
Lui embraced a deliberately playful approach to the making of Instant Validation, carving out time for the album while holding down three jobs. After connecting with Stevens through mutual friends in the Catskills, the two began expanding on demos she’d gathered over the past decade and allowed each song to evolve with total abandon. “Before we worked together, I hadn’t realized how much I needed someone to help me let go and let the songs become what they wanted to be,” says Lui. “The way his mind works is unstoppable in a beautiful way, and I felt comfortable with him to just let the ideas flow.” With its title lifted from her sunny yet incisive portrait of the suffocating grip of our collective addiction to technology—and the insanity of living through a screen—Instant Validation ultimately presents a deeply lived-in look at building a meaningful life amid the chaos of the modern era.
The first single from the album is “Elvis Queen.” “This song is about my aunt who was a huge Elvis fan,” Meg says. “At first it was a very slow, sentimental song, but we sped it up for the final version—she was a very joyful and fun person, so it made sense for it to feel a little bit like a party.”
Instant Validation Merchandise
Meg Lui launched a line of Instant Validation apparel, here to make life more fun. Shop Meg’s Long Sleeve Trophy Tee, Bird Boxy T-Shirt, Better Luck Next Time Mug, Horsie Girl Summer Bucket Hat, Put Me In Coach Hat or Tote Bag – all featuring original artwork by Meg.
More News
Let's Stay Connected
Get updates on the latest Asthmatic Kitty releases.