Sufjan Stevens Announces ‘Illinois’ Reissue, Shares Raw ‘Chicago’ Demo

Sufjan Stevens’ Illinois turned 10 last year, and the singer-songwriter will revisit the concept album in a new reissue. It will boast one bonus track in the form of a “Chicago” demo. Take a listen to the stripped-down version in the video above.

The Illinois reissue is slated for an April 1 release via Asthmatic Kitty. In addition to the new bonus version of “Chicago,” the album will feature all-new cover art. "Chicago" will be pressed on a 12" in the shape of the stars on the Chicago flag (see a photo below). Due to a misprint, 2,000 copies of the demo will be sold separately on star-shaped vinyl that's incorrectly labeled as 45RPM. A press release indicates it plays best at 33RPM. You can pre-order that now over at the Asthmatic Kitty website. The song will receive a digital release tomorrow (Feb. 26).

Illinois was Stevens’ fifth album and his final state-themed release. (The first was 2003’s Michigan.) Last year, he returned with his first album in five years Carrie & Lowell, our favorite album of 2015.

Stevens is currently on tour in Australia and New Zealand. He heads to the states in April for this year’s Coachella in Indio, Calif. He will also play Boston Calling; Sasquatch! in George, Wash.; and Pitchfork in Chicago. See a list of all his upcoming shows right here.