New Album Roundup - Summer 2026
Ok, we are deep into Autumn now, and as I have been absent from the blog all summer, I still have some summer busuness to take care of, and that is to talk about some of the new music I have been listening to and enjoying throughout the summer months. Once again, there were many very good albums, but relatively few real standouts. I listened to about 40 or so new albums that came out this summer (July, August, and September), and these are the ones I thought were the best and most notable.
Quivira - Quivira
Quivira is a new Prog band from Kansas, USA, and their impressive debut self-titled album just dropped in September. And perhaps somewhat appropriately, their sound and style is somewhat reminiscent of, well, Kansas (the band), at least on some songs. Led by Lisa LaRue (composer, keyboards, programming) and John Baker (guitars, bass, backing vocals) and featuring Jake Livgren (Emerald City Council) on vocals (nephew of Kansas legend Kerry Livgren) and a guest appearance from Joe Deninzon (current Kansas violinist), furthering the Kansas connection. They have a grand Symphonic Prog sound, and mix in historical themes with elements of classical, jazz, and classic rock. The album consists of 11 tracks (66 min), is predominantly instrumental (vocals on only 4 of the 11 tracks), and features sensational keyboard and guitar work, as well as prominent violin on multiple tracks. The theme of the album focuses on the story of pre-Kansas "Quivira", the native American villages that Coronado believed held gold. The album opens with majestic classical themes amid choir vocalizations to set the stage leading into a glorious symphonic prog track worthy of Big Big Train. The vocal tracks are where the Kansas sound is most apparent, with grand melodic passages and themes. The instrumental tracks take on a more proggy and even jazz fusiony style, with dynamic, dazzling solos over recurring piano riffs. Most of the songs flow from the keyboards, starting with piano leading to great instrumental interplay, great melodies, and virtuoso playing. One minor complaint is that they don't have a drummer and all of the drums on the album are programmed. Hopefully, they will have live drums on their next album. Just a fabulous album of glorious instrumental and vocal symphonic prog. Best Tracks: Nothing is Everything, Carved From the Sun, Kicking Rocks, The Benefits of Breathing Quietly, Quivira Bound. Rating: 4 stars
Steve Hackett and Steve Rothery - The Roaring Waves
Two legendary Prog rock guitarists named Steve, Hackett (Genesis, Steve Hackett Band) and Rothery (Marillion) team up for this album of wonderful instrumental Prog. But this isn't just two guitarists jamming over basic chords, trading licks and trying to outdo each other, no these are composition-first pieces, creating a profoundly cinematic sound, atmospheric and melodic, where the guitar lines are there to enhance and embellish the songs. Great guitar work to be sure, but all in service to the music and mood of the pieces. The album overall (7 tracks, 45 min.) follows the theme of the elemental power of the sea, with each track exploring some aspect of the ocean and its surroundings, covering many different musical styles and tempos. Opening with The Storm, a dramatic cinematic piece, and then moving through various more acoustic, melancholic, mystical, intriguing, and delightful tracks throughout, and closing with an uncharacteristically rousing and joyful groove with Pacific Coast Highway (with Hackett adding some bluesy harmonica), Hackett and Rothery perfectly compliment each other, interweaving delicate and tastefully melodic interplay that raises each track to another level. Overall, a great album of melodic instrumental prog from these two masters, and one that does not need vocals at all. Best Tracks: Red Dragon, The Roaring Waves, K-129, The Black Sea, Pacific Coast Highway. Rating: 4 stars
Pattern-Seeking Animals - Grimalkin
This latest album, their 6th, from PSA (which originally began as on offshoot of Spock's Beard and features current and former members Ted Leonard, Jimmy Keegan, Dave Meros, and John Boegehold), is another great album from the band, which has emerged in recent years as one of the premier modern melodic progressive rock bands, mixing a symphonic prog style with classic rock and pop sensibilities. And this may be their best of their most recent releases, going back to Only Passing Through, with great songs, melodies, cinematic soundscapes, glorious instrumental sections, and emotionally powerful themes and lyrics. Starts strongly with Maybe All a Dream, a quirky. powerful track featuring flute, mellotron, and guitar. Jade Sky is another gem, with an engaging groove and violin highlights. Then comes the surprisingly powerful, deeply moving, sad, but profoundly beautiful ballad, Things I Don't Do, was not expecting this, but exquisite. Break Away is big and bold with great synth work and instrumental flourishes. Slowly Falls the Falling man is the longest track and features several different sections and styles, beginning with a chamber wind ensemble moving into more rocking and proggy sections. One of the things I love about PSA is that their songs are filled with numerous great musical ideas that are always interesting and intriguing, making for great listening experiences. Best Tracks: Jade Sky, Things I Don't Do, Maybe All a Dream, Break Away, Slowly Falls the Flying Man. Rating: 4 stars
The Bardic Depths - Some Things Are Worth Remembering
The 4th and final album from this underrated prog collective that emphasizes storytelling along with their virtuoso playing is definitely their very best. Led by multi-instrumentalist/composer Dave Bandana, with lyrics from American historian Brad Birzer, and featuring the great Peter Jones (Cyan, Tiger Moth Tales, Camel, Red Bazaar) on vocals and sax, the band creates luscious symphonic Prog, with grand melodies and themes, intelligent lyrics, and great vocals and instrumental passages. The album has 8 tracks (49 min), their sound mostly features a gentler, more pastoral, melodic type of Prog, along the lines of Big Big Train, Camel, or The Moody Blues, with marvelous soundscapes and instrumental passages, but they can also bring a more rockin' vibe at times as well. The magnificent centerpiece, October Sun, has everything you could want, anthemic melodies, great harmony vocals, and each band member gets to shine with fantastic solos, but then, every track is a gem. Brilliant album that you can just immerse yourself in, and is right up there among the very best of the year. Best Tracks: October Sun, From Empty Trees, Arribabok, Fallen Leaves, A View, Rewind. Rating: 4.5 stars
Sara Bareilles - Good Grief
Another absolutely wonderful album, her 7th and first since the fantastic Amidst the Chaos in 2019. The theme of this album is dealing with loss and grief and various aspects of that, but it is not all sad and weepy, as it explores celebrations and inspiration and how one deals with adversity, and is intended to provide some comfort or catharsis to those who have navigated through grief. Most importantly, it is a profoundly beautiful and heartfelt album of songs from one of our greatest female singer-songwriters. It is an expansive album (14 songs, 58 minutes), and most of the songs feature a sparse, stripped-down, but effective, arrangement, with piano or acoustic guitar and bass, which enables the listener to focus more intently on the beautiful melodies, insightful lyrics, and Sara's wonderful voice. Regardless of the subject matter, the poetry of Sara's writing shines throughout, as well as the beauty of the songs. Although mostly slow to mid-tempo and somewhat somber, but with soaring vocals, such as the moving opener, Home, the Orbison-like Still Crying, and the powerful Heartland, there are also more upbeat, lighter songs, such as Capsize Me, the sardonic Nervous Breakdown, and the pop lushness of Idiot Heart. The album then finishes off with some of the most moving and beautiful tracks in Say Leave, Salt Then Sour Then Sweet (with Brandi Carlisle), and Forever, which seems like the natural end of the album, but then comes Wind is the Weather, a moody, atmospheric finish that just feels right. And whether or not you are dealing with grief or care about the theme at all, it is a brilliant album from start to finish. Best Tracks: Forever, Home, Just a Kid, Say Leave, Nervous Breakdown, Heartland, Capsize Me. Rating: 4.5
Phideaux Xavier - AutoMoto Animus
Veteran US multi-instrumentalist, composer, vocalist, and apparently, TV director, returns after a 6-year hiatus, backed by numerous guest stars, with this very enjoyable album. It features a mixture of big AOR, power pop, and Prog in full, lavish arrangements that really make the songs shine (8 tracks, 43 min., including an epic-length album closer). Great sound, vibe, vocal and instrumental arrangements throughout, with mystery, keen lyrics, and intriguing soundscapes. Bold, vibrant songs that all fit together to tell some kind of story? Maybe? Not sure, but doesn't matter cause it sounds great. One minor letdown is that the album ends a bit weakly, with the slow, drawn-out story song Legend of Mary Jo, which is a fine song in itself, but in dragging it out to near 15 minutes in length, it wears out its welcome with much repetition. Although it almost redeems itself with a great exhilarating proggy section near the end, that doesn't come until 10 minutes in, at which I'd already tired of the song, as it just doesn't justify its runtime. But other than that nitpick, a mostly great album. Best Tracks: Do What You Will, Hey Humanity, Driving to Destruction, Siren i the Storm, Enigmatic Terminus. Rating: 3.5 stars
Lalu - A Mythmaker's Demise
5th album from this versatile French Prog band, following their wonderful previous album, The Fish Who Wanted to be King (2023). Led by keyboardist Vivien Lalu, the band features a cool prog sound mixing in classic, hard, and alternative rock, and jazz elements, producing a variety of styles throughout the tracks. Great keyboard work, ultra-cool grooves and rhythms (Simon Phillips on Drums), and effective vocals and storytelling from Martin Lemar. Although it doesn't quite reach the highs of their previous album, this is still a really good album with lots of great stuff going on, and shows the continued development and versatility of the band. Best Tracks: Tears of the Muse, I am the One, Mayacama, Learning to Fly, A Drop of Water, Fhloston Paradise. Rating: 3.5 stars
Bear Ghost - Tiny Hitman
Bear Ghost is a decidedly strange U.S. band that plays what they call Adventure Rock, a high-energy, theatrical style that combines progressive rock arrangements, catchy pop melodies, heavy guitar riffs, and quirky humor. Fun and lively, they fuse intricate musicianship, melodies, and song structure to deliver a unique sound. This is their 3rd album, containing 10 short songs (37 min), and its a wild, adventurous affair. Taking influences from vintage 20's, 30's, 40's, and 50's music hall styles, adding modern touches and a twisted Danny Elfman-like oddness and a frenetic energy, they at times sound something like an over-caffeinated The Dear Hunter or Dirt Poor Robins. And although I really like and admire their energy, creativity, adventurousness, and musicianship, they can also sometimes be a bit too much to take. For me, their frenetic, disjointed style is best enjoyed in small doses, like 4-6 song EPs. I listened to this album multiple times, and every time I really enjoyed it at first, the first 4-5 songs or so, but after that just started to lose interest and wasn't enjoying it, and I think it was the style more than the songs themselves that just were exhausting and became tiresome. The first 5 songs make for a perfect EP, great stuff, but then had had enough. Thus, although some great stuff here, can't rate it better than just good, as on the whole, its not something I will come back to often. Best Tracks: Monster Guts, In Our Image, Hearty of Five, New Kids. Rating: 3 stars
Haken - In a Fever Dream (EP)
Prog metal heroes Haken return with a 5-song EP that highlights an intriguing more atmospheric and melodic sound amidst their prog metal bombast. Although I have not been a fan of any of Haken's recent albums, this EP shows some interesting developments, most notably an eerie atmosphere and dreamy melodies building to soaring vocals. I can only describe it as a prog metal version of The Pineapple Thief, as it has those subtly cool vibes and gossamer melodies with undercurrents of darkness that Bruce Soord does so well, but now punctuated with heavier Prog Metal outbursts. For me, this is a step up for the band, as I adore the Pineapple Thief sound, and thus this style is a big improvement, and I enjoyed this EP much more than their other recent albums. Again, for me, there is still a bit too much of the heavier metal cliches present here (which is why TPT is still better at this), but this is a positive development for the band, although not sure if this is a temporary departure or their direction forward. Best Tracks: Eclipsed by You, Bleeding Sky. Rating: 3 stars
Pure Reason Revolution - Terrifying Angels
UK prog band that features atmospheric melodic prog with great vocals and harmonies. They have gone darker and heavier with this album, and like many other prog bands now, have incorporated and embraced much more metal (the plague of modern prog) into their sound, much to the detriment of the songs. There is still much to like here, as the atmospheric, melodic sections and vocals are quite strong, but they are at some point invariably contaminated with some form of metal intrusion. The longer tracks fare best, as the melodic sections get the space to stretch out and create some wonderful atmospheres before having to compete with the metal outbursts. Thus, still a good album, but not as strong as their previous, Coming Up to Consciousness (2024), as the reliance on metal cliches detract rather than add to their sound. Best Tracks: Terrifying Angels, Black Arrow Acrobats, Below Radiance. Rating: 3 stars
Ian Neal - This Gemlike Flame
New album from this UK multi-instrumentalist Prog artist that plays all the instruments himself has garnered acclaim in the Progosphere lately. That is because this is his most accomplished album and he specializes in sounds of classic 70' prog, especially mid-period Genesis (and some Anthony Phillips). Using vintage instruments from the period, he recreates the sound and style of Genesis, particularly 1976 to 1980 (Trick of the Tail to Duke), with lots of Banksian keyboards and Hackett (and Phillips) guitars. It's all instrumental, so no vocals, but it sounds great and creates some marvelous soundscapes. However, it still seems that something is missing here, as most of the songs feel more like a collection of intros, interludes, and extended instrumental passages for something more substantial that never quite develops. It seems to be missing the heart of the songs, memorable melodies and themes that made these sounds something special. Still sounds great, but a bit lacking in truly memorable compositions. Rating: 3 stars
Green Desert Tree - Fighting Dragons
Second album from this German Prog band from Berlin that features a classic Prog style, reminiscent of the 70's classic bands in the Genesis/Yes camp, but also mixes in some more modern prog influences (Steven Wilson, etc.) as well. Opens with dazzling keyboards throughout the instrumental Overture that firmly lays down the directions the band is heading, which leads into the more rocking The Storyteller. Overall, this album does their influences proud and is a quite good album, with great instrumental work, strong melodies, and great vocals. However, there are some lulls and dull sections, and at times they struggle to extend beyond their influences to create something unique of their own. Rating: 3 stars
Deep Purple - Splat!
Surprisingly strong album from the latest incarnation of this legendary Rock band, almost 60 years after formation. This is definitely throwback classic hard rock, in the style they created way back in the early seventies, with crunchy guitars, swirling organ, and dazzling leads. Nothing new here, they mostly stick to the basics, with just a few modern touches thrown in, but overall just do a fine job of recreating their rockin' glory years. Rating: 3.5
Weezer - Weezer (Gold Album)
A strong return to form for Weezer after various genre and experimental forays in recent years. This seems to be their response to the criticisms of some of those other recent albums, and which they directly address here in C.E.O and some other tracks, as they get back to the kind of music that made them popular. They stick to the basics here, short, punchy, melodic indie rock, with crunchy guitar riffs, sardonic lyrics, and a fun alt-rock punch fans want to hear. May not be a classic, but quite enjoyable throughout. Rating: 3 stars.
Neil Young - Second Song
Hats Off Gentlemen, It's Adequate - Parallel Lives
Hit and miss album from this eclectic UK prog/alt-rock band that features a sort of electronic art-rock prog. Half of a potentially great album, as the title track and the instrumentals are fantastic, as well as a couple other good songs, but the rest, not so much. Musically and instrumentally quite appealing, but the monotonic, talk-singing style really detract from most of the vocal songs, albeit with some clever themes and lyrics. Still good and worth checking out overall, but the low points drag it down. Rating: 3
Improvement movement - Your Perfect Real Life
Third album from this progressive/indie pop band from Atlanta, GA, that features a mixture of smooth, sweet pop (with luscious harmony vocals) and quirky, edgy, angular alt-pop with jazz and prog influences, and an occasional Steely Dan vibe. A bit hit and miss, but some really nice tracks, including great opener, Still Cold. Rating: 3 stars.
Sykofant - Red Sun Leaves
Sophomore album from this Norwegian Prog band that features atmospheric, space-rock/prog. Their main influence is obvious as they borrow generously from Pink Floyd's sound and style playbook. May be a bit too derivative at times, but they go all out and do it very well, and add some more original touches, creating a quite good album in the Floyd vein. Rating: 3 stars
The Fierce and the Dead - Regional Theater
A few other albums from notable artists that I was NOT a fan of:
Rolling Stones - Foreign Tongues
The Strokes - Reality Awaits
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Alien Metal
Mastodon - Marrow Deep
BB’s Rating scale:
Well, that's it for me for now. What new albums did you enjoy over the summer months? Let me know your picks in the comments.
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