YES – ‘Aurora’

(InsideOut Music)

There comes a point in the lifespan of every legendary progressive rock band where expectations become almost impossible to manage. Fans want innovation, but they also want familiarity. They want the spirit of the classics, but they don't want a tired rehash of former glories. For a band carrying the weight of a name as significant as YES, that balancing act becomes even more precarious. Somehow, on Aurora, YES manage to walk that tightrope with surprising confidence.

What immediately strikes you about this album is its sense of purpose. This isn't a band going through the motions or simply adding another title to a catalogue that already spans decades. Aurora feels deliberate. It feels focused. Most importantly, it feels like an album made by musicians who still believe in the power of progressive rock as an evolving art form rather than a museum piece.

The first thing listeners will notice is the energy. For a band at this stage of its career, there is a remarkable vitality running through the record. The performances are sharp, engaged and packed with enthusiasm. Rather than relying solely on nostalgia, YES push forward with arrangements that feel adventurous while remaining rooted in the melodic sensibilities that have always defined their sound.

Steve Howe’s guitar work throughout the album deserves particular praise. There is an impressive balance between technical proficiency and emotional expression. Progressive rock can often fall into the trap of showcasing complexity for complexity's sake, but here every flourish feels purposeful. The guitar lines weave elegantly through the arrangements, adding colour, texture and excitement without overwhelming the songs themselves.

The rhythm section of Billy Sherwood (Bass) and Jay Schellen (Drums) is equally impressive. Bass and drums lock together beautifully, creating a foundation that allows the music to move effortlessly between intricate passages and more direct, accessible moments. There are sections where the musicianship reaches genuinely dazzling levels, but what makes it work is the sense of restraint. Nobody is trying to win an Olympic gold medal in technical showmanship. The focus remains firmly on serving the music.

Geoff Downes’s keyboard textures play a huge role in shaping the album's atmosphere. Long-time YES fans will find plenty to appreciate here. Rich layers of sound provide depth and grandeur, helping create the expansive sonic landscapes that progressive rock thrives upon. There are moments of genuine beauty where the keyboards seem to lift the entire band into another dimension, adding a sense of wonder that has always been one of YES's defining characteristics.

Vocally, the album succeeds because it understands what kind of emotional space it wants to occupy. Rather than attempting to recreate the past, Jon Davison’s vocals contribute to the album's identity as a contemporary YES release. There's a warmth and sincerity throughout the performances that makes the material feel authentic. The melodies are memorable, often soaring above the complex arrangements with a confidence that keeps the listener engaged from beginning to end.

One of the most impressive aspects of Aurora is how naturally it flows. Progressive albums can sometimes feel like collections of ideas stitched together without a clear narrative direction. That's not the case here. There is a cohesion to the record that rewards complete listens. Themes emerge and re-emerge, moods shift organically, and the album maintains a strong sense of momentum throughout its running time.

Lyrically, the album explores themes that feel reflective without becoming overly nostalgic. There is a sense of looking outward and forward rather than simply dwelling on the past. The words complement the music effectively, contributing to the album's overall atmosphere of optimism, curiosity and exploration. In an era where cynicism often dominates, there's something refreshing about hearing a band embrace wonder and possibility.

What I particularly appreciate about Aurora is that it doesn't feel obsessed with proving anything. Many veteran acts release albums that seem determined to demonstrate their relevance or recapture former greatness. YES, approach things differently here. The confidence comes from the music itself. There is no desperation, no forced modernisation and no obvious attempt to chase trends. The band simply sound comfortable in their own skin.

That doesn't mean the album is perfect. A few sections occasionally linger longer than necessary, and there are moments where the arrangements could perhaps have benefited from a tighter editorial hand. Some listeners may also wish for a greater sense of risk-taking in places. While the album certainly contains progressive ambition, it generally favours refinement over radical experimentation.

Still, these are relatively minor criticisms when viewed against the album's many strengths. The overall quality of the songwriting remains consistently high, and the musicianship is exemplary throughout. More importantly, the album captures something increasingly rare among legacy bands: genuine inspiration.

Perhaps the greatest compliment I can give Aurora is that it never feels like an album made out of obligation. It sounds like a group of musicians who still enjoy creating together, still enjoy challenging themselves and still believe there are new places to explore within the progressive rock landscape.

‘Aurora’, the title track opens the album with confidence and purpose. Sweeping keyboards, intricate musicianship and uplifting melodies immediately establish the record's optimistic tone. It's classic YES in spirit, but with enough freshness to avoid feeling like a retread.

‘Turnaround Situation’ is a more dynamic piece that balances complexity with accessibility. The shifting arrangements keep things interesting, while the strong vocal hooks provide an emotional centre. The interplay between guitar and keyboards is particularly effective here.

‘Love Lies Dreaming’, one of the album's more reflective moments. Rich harmonies and atmospheric textures create a dreamy quality that feels unmistakably YES. The song develops patiently, rewarding listeners who appreciate subtle musical details.

‘Countermovement’, this is where the band flexes its progressive muscles. Intricate rhythms and changing moods dominate the track, yet it never loses its melodic focus. A great example of technical musicianship serving the song rather than overshadowing it.

Elegant and beautifully arranged, ‘Ariadne’ brings a touch of sophistication to the album's midsection. There's a strong sense of atmosphere throughout, with the band allowing the music room to breathe and unfold naturally.

‘All Hands On Deck’ is one of the record's most energetic performances. The rhythm section drives the song forward with urgency while the surrounding arrangements maintain the band's trademark sense of grandeur. A lively and engaging listen.

As the title suggests, ‘Outside The Box’ explores some less predictable territory. The band experiments with different textures and structures while remaining firmly rooted in the progressive rock tradition. Adventurous without becoming inaccessible.

‘Emotional Intelligence’ is a thoughtful and surprisingly modern-sounding composition. The emotional depth of the piece stands out, supported by strong melodies and tasteful instrumental work. One of the album's most memorable moments.

‘Jambustin'’ is a fun, playful instrumental workout that showcases the band's chemistry and technical ability. Rather than feeling self-indulgent, it comes across as a group of veteran musicians clearly enjoying themselves.

‘Watching The River Roll’, the album closes on a reflective and satisfying note. There's a sense of perspective and calm running through the track, making it an effective conclusion to the journey. It leaves the listener with the feeling that the adventure has been worthwhile.

For longtime YES fans, Aurora offers plenty of familiar elements while avoiding the pitfalls of self-imitation. For newer listeners, it serves as a reminder of why the band's name continues to command respect after so many years. It may not reach the towering heights of the group's most celebrated classics, but it doesn't need to. It succeeds on its own terms.

In the end, Aurora stands as a strong and deeply satisfying addition to the YES catalogue. Richly arranged, superbly performed and infused with a genuine sense of musical adventure, it proves that progressive rock's spirit of exploration remains very much alive.

7/10

Essential Track – ‘Aurora’

Review by Woody