Review | Styx – Circling From Above

Universal Music

News broke two days ago of Styx’ new album made available during their live shows as a treat to their fans. International release planned for July 18, we are presented a new sonic endeavor, of Styx magnitude!

A CINEMATIC JOURNEY

Few bands mastered the art of the concept album quite like Styx. With `Circling from Above’, their brand-new studio opus, the architects of theatrical soar to narrative and musical heights. This is not just another album, it’s a cinematic journey that finds Styx honoring their storied past and again charting new territory.

From the opening notes, `Circling from Above’ submerges the listener in a world where melody, drama, and storytelling gracefully intertwine. The album’s conceptual arc, rich with allegory and emotional depth, explores themes of perspective, renewal, and the eternal dance between fate and free will. Styx crafts a universe where every lyric, riff, and harmony serve the intensity of the compelling narrative, inviting fans to explore the band’s signature blend of progressive rock and arena-ready hooks, supporting their wonderful vocal harmonies.

A REINVENTION

The ability of Styx to convey grand stories through music has always set them apart. From the dystopian (ahead of its time) `Kilroy Was Here’ and the theatrical expose on `Paradise Theater’, to the interstellar time capsule `The Mission’. With their recent releases `Crash of the Crown’ and the previously mentioned `The Mission’, the band proved to not rest on nostalgia, instead revitalizing their sound with fresh ideas and a renewed purpose. These recent albums saw Styx embracing modern production possibilities and songsmith, together with producer and songwriter Will Evankovich, while doubling down on their benchmark intricate arrangements and stellar lush vocal harmonies that defined their legacy. `Circling from Above’ isn’t just a continuation; it’s a reinvention!

The concept of `Circling from Above’ revolves around the contrast between humanity’s technological ambitions and the harmony found in nature. Using the imagery of satellites drifting aimlessly in orbit versus birds travelling together in unity, Styx crafts a poetic meditation on our dreams. From the things we build and abandon, and the importance of working together, they mocked up an intrinsic concept, inviting listeners to reflect on their own journeys, choices, and the legacies they leave behind, urging a return to connection, responsibility, and hope.

STYX IN FULL COMMAND

Right from the ethereal opening title track, with meandering instrumentation and close harmony vocals that evoke the spirit of the Beatles at their most intense, Styx leaves no room for doubt. The song’s repetitive grace lands with immediate impact, drawing the listener into the album’s thematic orbit before seamlessly transcending into the pulsating single ,,Build and Destroy”. Lawrence Gowan radiates at the centre, his crooning delivery reminiscent of Dennis DeYoung yet marked by a unique frailty that empowers the album’s modern concept.

The jazzy interplay between drums and bass propels the track, while swirling keys rain down and James Young’s electrifying guitar solo soars to the front. This is Styx in full command, bridging the classic elements of their past with the progressive flair of recent releases like `The Mission’ and `Crash of the Crown’.

SPAGHETTI WESTERN

With ,,Michigan’’ Tommy Shaw’s unmistakable vocal timbre takes the spotlight, the melody immediately nestling in the listener’s mind and soul. Gowan’s tone balances Shaw’s, while the bass lines dominate with wonderful low-end and Todd Sucherman’s drumming delivers a jazzy, tom-rich interplay that is versatile, rich, open and dynamic. The album’s conceptual thread continues to weave through ,,King of Love,” where angelic vocal harmonies and drizzling keyboard lines morph into ploughing bass and polyrhythmic drumming interplay. James Young’s growling vocals cut through the lyrics with intensity, with Shaw and Gowan trading leads around it. Surging with relentless energy and a gradually intensifying pulse it progresses. The contemporary guitar solo, light-footed shuffles, and lush harmonies are unmistakably Styx. It is fresh but rooted in their signature contemporary sound.

,,It’s Clear” wells like ocean waves, with Celtic instrumentation setting the stage for nesting vocal interplay between Shaw and Gowan. As the song gains momentum, melodic prowess takes centre stage, anchored by the ever-present bass and drum interplay. Gowan’s keys cascading into grand harmonies, adding to the lustre. The track shifts and sheds skin frequently, climaxing in a gritty ‘Spaghetti Western’-tinged finale that adds a surprising twist to its closing seconds.

LONG MELODIC FINALE

The acoustic ballad ,,Forgive” is a moment of breath-taking vulnerability, with Shaw and Gowan exchanging Beatles-esque vocals over subtle pulsing bass and jazzy drum patterns. The song’s emotional intensity builds, reaching a peak with a resonant keyboard solo and delicate guitar work, as Gowan’s and Shaw’s vocals intertwine to create a rich, living texture that breathes life into the arrangement. So intense, so wonderful….

,,Everybody Raise Your Glass” is a burlesque waltz, Jabbing piano melodies and Lawrence Gowan’s classy vocals infusing the track with a feel-good, party ambiance warping us back decades. Midway, the song tips its hat to the melodic grandeur of ,,Paradise Theater” as James and Tommy inject classic guitar flourishes which border with the band’s classic title track of the album. The weeping guitars and pressing harmonies carry the track to a lingering and long melodic finale.

Styx’s adventurous spirit shines on ,,Blue Eyed Raven”, where a wailing medieval tinged violin and contemporary strut meet Shaw’s heavily phrased vocals. The song’s pace is brisk, with strings and mandolin dancing alongside the vocal bridge and chorus. Balancing French gypsy music and Celtic/folk balanced in its core, the duel between violin and Shaw’s vocals is an expose of vibrant and high-energy melodic prose.

IMPRESSIVE HARMONIES

,,She Knows” opens with a jabbing piano and Will Evankovich crooning, underscored by Shaw’s higher harmonies. The song’s organic, medieval feel tilts the game of its predecessor with its carnival waltzes, with keys, flute, and violin, weaving a cinematic and scenic tapestry of sound. The track’s narrative waltz is dominated by Gowan’s ability to shift tone with the changing musical landscape, ending with a dramatic Queen-like melancholic bloom.

The brief intermezzo ,,Ease Your Mind” bursts with Beatles-inspired multi-layered vocals, leading into ,,The Things That You Said”. The song is another showcase of impressive harmonies atop ethereal rich textures. Gowan’s keyboards take the lead as James and Tommy contribute their guitar strengths in brief bursts of energy. The song gradually builds pace and harmonic power, discharging in a turbulent, acoustic-driven climax. Top-notch!

STYX – THE CONCLUSION

,,We Lost the Wheel Again” opens with acoustic instrumentation and a has touch of Americana drizzle, while being deeply rooted in contemporary rock. There’s a 60s vibe present, with Woodstock shining through. The vocals by Will Evankovich are commanding, and his melancholic grandeur shining through in its most intimate moments. The wailing guitars and short flirt of the Hammond organ, add classic rock flair, pressing on the song’s timeless resonance.

The album’s conceptual message comes full circle with ,,Only You Can Decide”, a fitting finale that expresses the album’s theme of choice and consequence. The vocals are powerful, the instrumentation strums lightly, and the ethereal resonance and rich textured orchestration evoke the elegance of classic Styx while injecting a refreshing note reminiscent of `The Mission’. It is jaw-dropping!

With `Circling from Above’, Styx proves once again why they are masters of the conceptual album, blending their progressive roots with a contemporary edge. It’s a dynamic, emotional journey, gripping and introspective, theatrical and equally sincere. This is Styx at their most vital, their most graceful, and their creative best.

Release date: 18 July 2025