Local singer-songwriter Dean Muscat released his debut EP Lazarene earlier this month.
The five-track EP features original, lyric-driven songs that draw from personal experiences, Maltese and Mediterranean themes, and a strong sense of storytelling, all woven together through Americana, folk and rock influences.
Produced by Jimmy Bartolo at Ultralow HQ, the EP is largely performed by the Muscat and Bartolo, with mixing by UK engineer Dan Cox (Laura Marling, Pete Doherty).
Fine-tuning the lyrics
Muscat has worked in music for many years, mostly behind the scenes, writing and producing for others. But a few years ago, he almost decided to stop.
“I almost stepped away from music completely,” Muscat says. “That’s why the title Lazarene felt right. It’s about bringing that part of me back to life.” .
As regards the lyrics, the singers says the writing process “took its time”.
“I spent hours fine-tuning the lyrics, trying to get them to say exactly what I meant. But once the songs were ready, the recording came together fairly quickly, especially with Jimmy, who just got what I was trying to achieve and was instrumental in bringing the arrangements to life.”
The result is the following track list: Darkness, My Muse Is Gone, Heart of the Med, Her Odyssey and Night’s End.
‘Musical stories’
Muscat says the songs are very personal.
“Some are drawn from things I’ve lived through, others are shaped by how I see life in Malta and around me today. I see them as little musical stories. I hope people connect with them, and maybe even find a bit of their own story in there too,” Muscat says.
The EP artwork, created by Maltese illustrator Ed Dingli, weaves together the mythological and Maltese themes found in the songs. It draws inspiration from the legend of Calypso’s Cave − believed by some to be in Gozo − where Odysseus is said to have been held against his will by the nymph, longing for home.
The imagery reflects the emotional thread of Lazarene, of finding your way back to yourself after being lost, the artist says.
To mark the release, Muscat is hosting a special acoustic launch gig at Offbeat Bar in Valletta, today, May 16. He will be joined by Jimmy Bartolo, performing a selection of original songs and closing the evening with a full performance of the EP, sharing reflections and stories behind the songs.
Lazarene will be available for purchase on Bandcamp and streaming on all major platforms from today.
