SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: LEN MIZZONI – I KNOW WHO I AM

Len Mizzoni
I Know Who I Am
Independent

I Know Who I Am is Len Mizzoni’s fifth album in five years. Every album by Mizzoni is different and unique, yet they all carry the Mizzoni stamp. He has released a couple of very strong, political singles (“I Can’t Breathe” about George Floyd, and “They Found Us” about the discovery of unmarked graves of Indigenous children in Canada) as well as a Christmas single (“My Christmas Tree”). Clearly impacted by these world events, Mizzoni was able to put into music and words his thoughts and emotions.

Mizzoni is an incredible writer, and he has come up with a solid, reflective album. . I Know Who I Am is incredibly personal album and yet it remains very relatable. As a listener, one can empathize and relate to the sentiment in each and every song. Mizzoni, through lyrics and music, creates a space for sharing and this is a rare talent.

The album opens with “All Tears Count”, a strong opener with advice to himself and listeners. Musically, he layers vocals and sounds, and yet there is a strong beat and melody to lull the listener into his music and world. And, as with his other albums, Mizzoni incorporates many different styles and sounds with his album. “I Can’t Remember”, for example, is a sparse song, featuring just a piano, the sound of a much loved record, and strong vocals. The song is very bare, very emotional and very effective. The message of loss is clear. A brave and brilliant song that is very powerful.

The title track, “I Know Who I Am” is another deceptive song. You may think you know where he is going musically but there are surprises. There is a lot going on in this song, strong melody, great beats and again layered sound that continues to build to the chorus which just bursts out. Mizzoni has a very clear message, “I know who I am”, he sings, “though you may not understand. I know who I am”. A wonderful defiant and protesting statement, and it is refreshing to hear Mizzoni in full vocal force.

Every track is very strong and there is enough diversity throughout to keep the listener glued to their headphones or speakers. There are twists and turns (ballads like “I Need You” or more rhythm and blues as in “Make You Mine”) throughout the album and Mizzoni drifts from song to song and style to style with a great deal of ease.

With I Know Who I Am Len has come into his own with this album. Here he knows who he is and where his strengths are with his music.

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