This album has been four years in the making. I started working on some of these songs just after completing my Mystical Psychosis album back in 2014. While still living in Thailand, I wrote “Symposium: Against All Odds,” “The Brain 2Pac Sparked,” and “Moonshine upon a Puddle.” Coincidentally, each representing one aspect of the album: LOVER REBEL MYSTIC. The title track was started around the same time, then called “On Rebellion,” but I couldn’t figure out how to finish it. It wasn’t until I established the theme for the album that I was able to conclude that song and rename it “Lover, Rebel, Mystic.” This, like most of my other projects, is a concept album. It’s a direct sequel to my first album AoA, and follows the journey of Hop-Leo, Hopudoshi, and Hopanova, this time taking on the personas of the LOVER, REBEL, and MYSTIC, respectively. As always, they represent different sides of my personality and views. This album is the story of the blinding nature of young love, a new call to action in turbulent times, and ultimately finding answers from within.
Thank you to everyone who has supported and inspired me along the way. And a special shout out to my lovely wife Mia and my wonderful sister Alexis for lending their beautiful voices to the project, and to one of my best friends, Chris, for being my unofficial editor and consultant!
