Sufjan Stevens doesn't give many interviews, and he's had an extremely rough time of things lately, so firstly it's great to hear that he's easing himself back into music. Secondly, yes, you did read that headline correctly: John Legend's newly released children's album, My Favorite Dream, was produced by Stevens, who also features on the track "L-O-VE" alongside Legend's wife Chrissy Teigen and two of their four kids.

Speaking over the phone to the Los Angeles Times, Stevens calls Legend "a shape-shifter," saying that he could "feel the curiosity behind what he does." On his decision to produce the record, he adds:

“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. 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.”

In the interview, Legend says he's been an admirer of Stevens for almost 20 years, and asked him to produce the album because he wanted the songs to "feel dreamy and whimsical and adventurous and fun" – and, honestly, who does all of those things better than Stevens? His work is many more things besides, of course, but there's always a dash of optimism to it even when life is at its bleakest. On his work with Legend, Stevens adds:

“I think there’s also a general apocalyptic anxiety that pervades a lot of our culture today. 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.”

Read the full interview here.

The album also contains a a few bonus tracks produced by husband-and-wife duo Clare and Olivier Manchon, who made three albums together as Clare & The Reasons and now work mainly in film scoring. Writing on their blog, they say:

"What a thrill it was for us to produce and arrange three songs on John Legend’s new record 'My Favorite Dream'. Sufjan’s productions are jaw droppingly beautiful and we were so honored he recommended us to produce 'Maybe', 'Great Great Day” and 'Friendship' – We made lush, orchestral productions and John was as open hearted as he was open minded to work with. What an amazing artist he is."

Earlier this year, Justin Peck, director of the musical theater adaptation of Stevens' Illinois album, gave Deadline a positive update on the singer/songwriter's progress as he recovers from Guillain-Barré syndrome, saying:

"It’s been a very long road for him and a very trying road, but I think he’s doing relatively well and he seems to be in good spirits... his health is on the mend. He’s back to walking and he just wants to be physical again. He kept saying “I just want to be able to run again,” and I know he’ll get there."