The pandemic offered a silver lining for YES fans: It’s the first time in decades the band has released two new albums less than two years apart. ”Mirror to the Sky”, the British quintet’s 23rd studio set, comes just 17 months after The Quest and is even better than its predecessor. The quintet, having adapted to the remote recording process, sounds even more assured and muscular throughout these six main album tracks (plus three bonuses), with the performances capably knitted together by guitarist Steve Howe, producing the band for a second time, and engineer Curtis Schwartz.
Howe and company have created a remarkable piece of nostalgia that revisits the English band’s signature prog-rock sound but manages to sound fresh and vibrant, rather than like a tired retreading of older material. From the science fictional imagery and classic logo of the cover art to the throbbing and complicated bass lines on songs like “Cut From the Stars,” ”Mirror to the Sky”, feels like an amazing find in a thrift store record bin rather than a new offering from the band.
Yes returns to its golden era on ‘Mirror to the Sky’, let’s celebrate!
CD 1:
1. Cut From The Stars
2. All Connected
3. Luminosity 00:09:04
4. Living Out Their Dream
5. Mirror to the Sky
6. Circles Of Time
CD 2:
1. Unknown Place
2. One Second Is Enough
3. Magic Potion