Joaquin Phoenix's Secret Album A "Masterpiece"

Remember when Joaquin Phoenix left acting to become a rapper? Well, before he left to pursue hip-hop stardom, Phoenix recorded an album over a few months in 2007. His collaborator, L.A. musician Julian Shah-Taylor, now claims the work is nothing short of a masterpiece. “He’s a Beatles, Oasis, Bowie-style songwriter. I hold it in that high esteem,” Shaw-Taylor told E!. The two met through producer Alan McGee and Spacehog member Anthony Langdon. Together, they recorded eight tracks that Phoenix had written in Phoenix’s L.A. home’s recording studio.

Despite his bizarre and lethargic Letterman appearance not much later, Phoenix was both “bubbly” and “effervescent” during recording sessions, according to Shah-Taylor. Furthermore, he did most of the producing for the album on his own as well. Unfortunately for the public, Phoenix’s musical notes remain a secret.  “Coming out with a brilliant album of great music would not surprise anybody, and I think that’s maybe why he didn’t release it," Shah-Taylor said. "And I think it’s better to have some secrets, and I think Joaquin’s secret is his prodigious music talent.”

So is there hope of the album ever being released? Well, there is no official release date, though discussions have been rumored. Phoenix’s venture into hip-hop, however, may soon be all too public. His brother-in-law, Casey Affleck, is currently in postproduction of his documentary portraying Phoenix’s new adventure. Stay tuned! –NATASHA ALLOWAY