“Let’s live out our futures all rolled into one / The truth is the brightest might be yet to come” – One by One

Belgian-born singer-songwriter Jonathan Vandenbroeck, known as Milow, was putting the final touches on the 170-page zine accompanying his latest studio album, Boy Made Out of Stars, when the L.A. wildfires hit, coming close to his home in Venice, where he’s lived part-time since moving there in 2012.

“These fires have been a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile the things we love can be,” writes Milow, reflecting on how many of the places that inspired the album—and where several of its 15 music videos were shot—were left scarred or destroyed. “I’ve been deeply moved by the resilience of this city and its people. L.A., with its breathtaking nature and electric energy, continues to inspire me.”

Just as Milow’s previous album, 2022’s Nice to Meet You, was a response to the Covid pandemic, Boy Made Out of Stars is, in his words, “a love letter to L.A.—to its beauty and the strength that keeps us moving forward.” The album represents the latest chapter in his musical journey, its title evoking childlike wonder, with stars symbolizing creativity and hope. “It touches on psychedelic exploration and cosmic transformation,” Milow explains. “It’s about modern boyhood, challenging traditional ideas of masculinity, embracing vulnerability, and celebrating the fluid, evolving nature of identity.”

From the very first track, “One by One,” recorded at the legendary Village Studios in Los Angeles with producer Jamie Hartman and accompanied by a video shot in Malibu near the same tree featured on the album cover, Milow captures the dynamic spirit of his adopted U.S. home. It’s where he and his longtime girlfriend have been raising their two children.

“Working on Boy Made Out of Stars has been a journey of rediscovery. I stepped back for a while to breathe, to be with my family, and to soak in life’s most ordinary and extraordinary moments. I wanted to return with something honest, raw, and alive—music that reflects the messy, beautiful reality we all share.”

The project is more than just a collection of songs. “It’s a reflection of where I am right now—how the past few years have shaped me and how these stories found their way into the music.”

As part of the album rollout, Milow created the ultimate Boy Made Out of Stars zine, or as he calls it, “a time capsule,” filled with handwritten song lyrics, behind-the-scenes glimpses, studio photos, and snapshots from the making of all 15 music videos. “Every page is a piece of this journey—a way to bring you closer to the stories and creativity that shaped this album.”

Like all of Milow’s albums, Boy Made Out of Stars serves as a personal diary, a dialogue with his global audience. The album will be released on his own independent Homerun Records and distributed by Sony Music.