Birthday Boy (album)

Birthday Boy is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens, released on July 4, 2000, by Asthmatic Kitty Records. The album is characterized by its lo-fi production and intimate, introspective lyrics, exploring themes of faith, relationships, and personal identity. It was recorded while Stevens was a student at Hope College. The album features a variety of instruments, including guitar, piano, banjo, and various electronic elements. Birthday Boy is considered by some fans and critics to be an early example of Stevens' experimental and highly personal songwriting style that would later become more widely recognized in his subsequent albums.