Two years ago, the Fehl-Ritzhausen based Maltese singer Joe Mizzi made a triumphant return to the music scene with his fifth solo album, "Psychotic Tranquillity," released on July 1st. This album marks Mizzi's first original work since "Angels Fall" in 2010, signaling a significant comeback for the seasoned musician.
Reflecting on the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mizzi shared his journey in a press release at the time. "The COVID years have not been kind to musicians all over the world," he remarked. "Live entertainment was literally banned for almost two years. Many musicians faced the dilemma of either giving up their profession and making a living through other means or facing the prospect of being inactive for a long time. I decided that no matter what, I was not giving up."
During the pandemic-induced lockdowns, Mizzi, who had been working as a vocal coach and participating in various tribute projects, found himself with ample time to dedicate to his own music. This unexpected hiatus from live performances spurred a creative resurgence. "The last 10 years, I have been working as a vocal coach and singer in different Tribute Projects, without spending much time writing my own material. When the whole world locked down because of the pandemic, I found myself with a lot of time on my hands, which I spent mostly in my home studio. This is where the song ideas started sprouting again and after writing the first one, I was overloaded with new ones."
The resulting album, "Psychotic Tranquillity," encapsulates the dichotomy of tranquility and chaos that characterized Mizzi's lockdown experience. "The album title describes the feeling I had being in lockdown and not being able to perform live. The strange tranquility of deserted streets, closed shops, empty bars, cafes. Just sitting in a room staring out of a window with a thousand thoughts and doubts shooting through your mind, not knowing what the future holds or whether things will ever be the same again. A psychotic unreal silence. And this is what got me to start writing again."
"Psychotic Tranquillity" features ten tracks carefully selected from about fifteen initial compositions, each reflecting Mizzi's bluesy hard rock roots with a modern, hand-made touch. The album cover, showcasing Mizzi's unfiltered face, emphasizes the authenticity he aimed to bring to his music. "It's all about the music. The lyrics are about everyday things that influence people's lives, like greed, corrupt politics, social media, conspiracy theories, but also about personal things like depression and suicide with one or two more lighthearted themes."
The album also includes notable collaborations, most prominently with Maltese guitarist Wayne Camilleri, whose prog style and versatility added a unique layer to the music. "I had followed Wayne Camilleri from Malta and kept contact on Facebook and I really wanted to work with a Maltese musician. I love his prog style and I think he's one of the most talented guitar players currently in Malta. His soloing on tracks like 'Poor Man's Hero,' 'Great Plan,' 'Rain or Shine,' and 'Skylight' is simply excellent."
Guido Pyka, a long-time friend and collaborator of Mizzi, also contributed with a solo on "All or Nothing," enhancing the album's rich musical tapestry.
The tracklist of "Psychotic Tranquillity" includes:
Hands on the Wheel - A hard-rocking opener about regaining control of one's life.
Bitch - A narrative of a broken soul from a bad relationship, featuring mysterious, spacey verses.
Great Plan - A critique of greed and power in politics, highlighted by a solo from Wayne Camilleri.
Rebel - A song about breaking free from misunderstanding and societal expectations.
Skylight - Dominated by Wayne Camilleri's guitar work, inspired by a dream Mizzi had.
All or Nothing - Discussing conspiracy theories and social media, with a bluesy solo by Guido Pyka.
Rain or Shine - A ballad dedicated to Mizzi's wife, showcasing acoustic and solo guitar by Wayne Camilleri.
Poor Man's Hero - A tribute to Mizzi's son, featuring another stellar solo from Wayne Camilleri.
When You Call - A haunting exploration of self-reflection and inner turmoil.
Can't Wait - The closing track, addressing depression and the contemplation of suicide, inspired by Chris Cornell.
Joe Mizzi's "Psychotic Tranquillity" is available on all streaming platforms, presenting a heartfelt and authentic rock album born from a period of profound introspection and creativity.