The Missing Peace was released on May 1st, 2025. A powerful first effort, and featuring all original songs, it is a concept album around the subject of romantic breakup. The story arc navigates a sordid timeline that begins in conflict with the tensely cranked-up song “Volatile”, followed by the rollicking “Hangups.” DeSomber then artistically shifts gears by slowing the pace, traveling the road of separation with the nostalgic longings of “Rose of Winter”, “Unrequited Love”, and “River of Grief”. Next, “Shackles and Chains” and “I Don’t Want You Back Now” are a call to release the grips of grief, resentment and regret, followed by the cheeky and fun country swing of “No Guitar Ever Broke a Heart.”

The uptempo reggae-esque “Love and War” brings new levels of awareness and equanimity, while the slowed-down honky-tonk ballad “Things Fall Apart” resolves the pain of separation and transmutes it into mutual acceptance. The album resolves brilliantly with “Roses For Myself”, a self-love song that calls each of us to be our own best lover above all others. Though many strong singles emerge powerful enough to stand alone, The Missing Peace as a whole is truly a musical journey which masterfully carries the listener through universal themes of love, loss, acceptance, and finally, inner peace. 

The Missing Peace was recorded with Grammy-nominated recording engineer Wes Sharon at 115 Recording in Norman, Oklahoma. It captures the grit and punch reminiscent of the red dirt country in which it was recorded. Turnpike Troubadours’ own Gabe Pearson brought his drumming prowess to the hard-driving and groovy rhythms. Alan Orebaugh lent his tasty guitar licks and vintage guitars to the songs, while Oklahoma’s own Johnny Manchild brought his unique sound to the keyboards. Kevin Foster, better known as Haystack, laid down mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, and lap steel guitar to the tracks. Becca Herrod of the band Wood Willow offered up her sweet vocal harmonies to bring a feminine voice to Joel’s lyrics.