For Layton Wu, a well-worn pair of jeans is a metaphor for the richness of life. “The inspiration for Blue Jeans comes from two pairs of jeans,” the Chicago-based songwriter and producer tells Apple Music. “One pair—originally a well-preserved pair of light-blue Levi’s—are now worn through at the knees and thighs and have food and grass stains. The other pair are my favourites—dark-blue Carhartt jeans, the first pair I bought in the United States. I wore holes in the cuffs.” On a calming, lyrical studio debut that finds the romance in everyday life, Wu considers how his life experiences have shaped him into the person he is today. Starting his musical career during university in Taiwan as a member of a shoegaze band, Wu soon got involved in the Taipei beat-making scene. A fascination with the soul, R&B and smooth jazz sounds of the ’70s and ’80s resulted in a batch of retro-hued bedroom-pop compilations such as 2021’s Summertime Mixtape. But Blue Jeans takes a quieter, more introspective direction thanks to the Gibson acoustic guitar he acquired in 2021 that serves as his muse on the album. Wu also opens up his usual DIY approach by inviting outside string, wind, keyboard and percussion players. “The production process was unusual—everything was done remotely,” he says. “I’d have most of the arrangements and let the musicians do their thing—and then see how to incorporate their material.” Wu’s gentle vocal harmonies are present throughout, expressing emotional vulnerability on the title track or bittersweet nostalgia on the Mandarin-language “Taipei”. As a document of the past and an exploration of human connection and personal growth, the album can’t avoid the influence of major turning points in Wu’s life, such as the tech job he found after finishing university. “Before making the album, I was fortunate to get a job after graduation, so I included ideas about my future life and questions of whether or not I’ll continue to make music,” he says. Below, Wu shares his thoughts on three album tracks—but he recommends listening to the album in its entirety. “Before the release, there’d be times I’d listen to the whole thing while riding my bike,” Wu says. “I feel that approach really suits it.” “Blue Jeans” “This is the core concept of the album—mainly a narrative of my transformation and growth while in the United States from 2018 to 2022. Everyday events are so valuable, and little by little they shape us. I hope we’re always able to become our better selves. Instrumentally, the title track is a simple one but it’s the song that best expresses my emotions.” “27” “Just like the lyrics say, I hope I’ll never change but I’m not afraid of getting hurt. Be courageous and go after what you want and don’t feel bad about who you are. This song helped me determine the direction the album’s production would take, as well as giving me the idea to add strings. One interesting thing: I wrote this song on the subway.” “Peace of Mind” “This song documents an especially precious emotional period that gave me a more mature appreciation of love and a better understanding of the kind of love I want. The arrangement is based on my favourite ’70s music, with a bit of a band feel. It feels a little like a sync recording at the end, because not all the instruments release at the same time.”