Italian guitarist and songwriter Marco Mattei and 7D Media / Third Star Records have announced the release of his highly anticipated second solo album, Age of Fragility, an innovative fusion of worldbeat, progressive rock, and art rock on May 16. Today, they present a lead track titled “Just Tired.”
Mattei shares, “This new album was an incredible journey to create, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you. Textures, emotions, and sonic explorations brought to life alongside true legends like Tony Levin, Jerry Marotta, and my longtime friend Duilio Galioto. The song, ‘Insomnia’ also features Trey Gunn and Jennifer Maidman, whom we incidentally met at Dreamland Studios and was so nice to contribute with the spoken dialogue.”
A concept album at its core, Age of Fragility delves into the delicate aspects of modern life, weaving together stories of isolation, indifference, emotional dependency, fragile relationships, self-sabotage, and depression. Through its poignant lyrics, the album paints a vivid portrait of the fragility and complexities of the human experience.
The album was recorded in June 2024 at Dreamland Studios in Woodstock, NY, where a stellar ensemble of musicians brought Marco’s compositions to life. The group consisted of Marco Mattei on electric and acoustic guitars, Duilio Galioto on piano, Wurlitzer, Rhodes, mellotron, memory Moog, and B3 organ, Tony Levin on electric and upright bass, Jerry Marotta on drums and percussion. Featured special guest performances were contributed by Trey Gunnon Warr guitar and Jennifer Maidman on vocals. To further enrich the album’s musical textures, Mattei invited an array of talented musicians from around the world, including vocalists Dave Bond, Jeff Kightly, Fabio Trentini and Joe Edelmann. The result is a deeply emotional and immersive sonic journey, with songs that resonate on multiple levels, offering listeners a rewarding experience with each listen.
Fans of artists like Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Paul Simon, and King Crimson, as well as followers of Tony Levin and Jerry Marotta, will find much to appreciate in Age of Fragility.
The complete track listing includes “Just Tired,” “You don’t deserve it,” “Human Again,” “Wrong,” “Insomnia,” “A trick of the mind,” “Watermark in my Heart,” “So Fragile,” “End of the Line,” and “Just Tired” (Extended Version).
Mattei shares, “In my debut album, Out of Control, I explored a variety of styles, drawing from my experiences playing in different bands and living around the world. With this new album, Age of Fragility, I focused more on world music and art rock influences, creating a more cohesive and consistent sound.” He continues, “Although I am primarily a guitarist, most of Age of Fragility was composed on piano and keyboards. This approach brought a fresh perspective to the songwriting process and allowed for a deeper emphasis on harmony. A deliberate approach was taken to create a balance between simplicity and complexity, reflecting the album’s theme while keeping the music engaging. This balance blends familiar territory with moments of exploration. For each song, elements such as sound, arrangement, melody, mixing, harmony, and rhythm were carefully considered. The goal was to ground most elements in familiar territory while focusing on one or two to introduce contrast and intrigue. This approach ensures the music remains accessible and captivating without veering into overly experimental or difficult-to-follow territory.”
While Out of Control relied heavily on remote multi-tracking, the core of Age of Fragility was recorded live by a band playing together in the studio, resulting in a more organic and natural interplay between the musicians. Mattei offers, “It was an incredible experience to witness how exceptional musicians like Tony Levin, Jerry Marotta, and Duilio Galioto brought my songs to life. It was deeply enriching and is an experience I will treasure forever.”
Duilio Galioto, a key contributor to the album, reflects on the recording experience, “Every moment spent at Dreamland Studios has been a precious gift. I will forever treasure this experience with my talented friend Marco and two legends like Jerry and Tony. Each track tells a story of shared creativity and new sonic explorations.”
Jerry Marotta shares, “Marco is a great writer and great composer. We had a great time making the record. It was a hype for me last year. His album is called Age of Fragility. We actually seem to be living through an age of fragility. Music like this is really soothing and helps us get through.”
Mattei states, “I have many influences, but I can’t point to a single one for this album. The inspiration came from a variety of stories I encountered, either personally or through reading, that made me reflect on how we live in times that, for most of the Western world, are more comfortable than in the past, thanks to wealth and technology. However, there’s also a sense of uncertainty and fragility that feels unique to our era, and that’s something I deeply resonate with.”
For Press/Interviews:
Steve Karas
SKH Music
ABOUT 7D MEDIA:
Founded by musician and producer Trey Gunn, 7D Media is an independent record label dedicated to releasing forward-thinking, genre-spanning music that lives at the intersection of progressive rock, experimental soundscapes, world rhythms, and cinematic composition. Since its inception, 7D Media has become a trusted home for boundary-pushing artists and collaborative projects, including Tony Levin’s Stick Men, Pat Mastelotto, Markus Reuter, Michael Shrieve, Happy Rhodes, SONAR, Andre LaFosse, Jerry Marotta, Joe Deninzon, and many others, while also spotlighting rising voices and bold new works from the outer edges of contemporary music. 7D’s sub-label, Third Star Records, features singer/songwriter’s including Sarah Power, Matt Dorsey, and Marco Mattei. With a commitment to creative freedom, artistic integrity, and high-fidelity production, 7D Media continues to cultivate a community of musicians and listeners who thrive on discovery, depth, and musical exploration.