Joan Jett and the Blackhearts have returned to the recording booth to bring us Mindsets, a six-song EP, a few days ago. This album is their first album featuring original compositions in a decade. Last year brought Changeup, a cover album taking listeners through Jett’s previous discography (both with songs from the Blackhearts and the Runaways), except with an acoustic twist.

If the title didn’t give it away already, the six songs on this EP represent mindsets. These are the kinds of mindsets that people have when faced with adversity and need to keep themselves motivated.

With the rock genre’s tendency to lean more towards songs driven by anger or sadness, it’s refreshing to see a classic rock act’s take on the modern world with positivity, while still not losing the edge that made them classic. Although there aren’t that many songs on Mindsets, each one is a modern rock gem that strings together in its running theme of facing the world, even when you’d rather not. The EP itself clocks in at around 18 minutes, making it a breezy, but fun listen.

“If You’re Blue” is an encouraging opener about just having someone be there for you when you need it most, even if that person is imperfect. Jett sings, “Now I made mistakes I can’t erase / I won’t deny.” This song was also released as a single ahead of the EP’s release.

“Whiskey Goes Good” follows and is self-explanatory with its title and downbeat tone. “It goes good with the hard times, good with the bad times,” declares the chorus. Just be responsible when you decide that whiskey goes good with your hard times.

“Shooting Into Space” and “Rear View Mirror” bring back the old hard rock/punk sound that 1980s Joan mastered. The lyrics of both detail a more confident, optimistic outlook on taking on life.

“Before the Dawn” is a bit more nuanced, showing both the resilience of the human spirit, but also the doubts that we can face, and how we can continue to struggle. Says Joan, “Friends they try to tell me I’ll get through alright / I need solidarity especially tonight.”

“(Make The Music Go) Boom” closes the EP with that retro sound and continues the theme of solidarity from “If You’re Blue,” bringing the album full-circle. It also possesses the same catchy optimism as the beginning track, urging listeners to “Stay in tune /And make the music go boom!”

Despite the fact that Jett will be 65 this year, her voice still retains the recognizable style that fans love about her. Sure, her voice doesn’t sound like it did in 1981, due to aging, but since Jett’s mezzo-soprano voice was always in the same octave and range (which is not meant as a disservice to her) she doesn’t struggle with hitting notes or a decreasing singing range. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts deliver an energetic, if short, return that shows that after 40 years, Jett is still the Queen of Rock and Roll.