Friday, July 18, 2025

Styx Circling from Above released

Circling from Above

Styx

Released: July 18, 2025

Peak: --

Sales (in millions): --

Genre: veteran classic rock

Tracks:

Song Title [time] (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to charts.

Circling from Above [2:00]
Build and Destroy [3:53] (5/28/2025, --)
Michigan [3:03]
King of Love [3:29]
It’s Clear [3:31]
Forgive [3:55]
Everyone Raise a Glass [3:35]
Blue Eyed Raven [3:54]
She Knows [3:35]
Ease Your Mind [0:48]
The Things That You Said [3:28]
We Lost the Wheel Again [2:57]
Only You Can Decide [3:05]

Total Running Time: 41:13

The Players:

Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitar)
James Young (guitar, vocals)
Lawrence Gowan (keyboard, vocals)
Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion)
Will Evankovich (guitar, vocals, mandolin, keyboards)
Terry Gowan (bass)

Rating:

2.327 out of 5.00 (average of 5 ratings)

Quotable:

“A testament to Styx’s enduring chemistry and willingness to evolve while staying true to their roots.” – Tommy Sommers, RockPit.net

About the Album:

Styx is “a band that’s been woven into the fabric of rock history, a staple of ‘70s and ‘80s FM radio with anthems like ‘Come Sail Away’ and ‘Renegade’ that defined an era.” ^RP “Albums like The Grand Illusion (1977) and Pieces of Eight (1978) cemented their place in rock’s pantheon.” ^RP “With such a towering legacy, it’s tough not to measure new releases against their classic catalog.” ^RP

“Despite lineup changes over the decades – most notably the departure of founding member Dennis DeYoung in 1999 – the current lineup…carries the torch with gusto.” ^RP Only Tommy Shaw and James Young remain from the classic days, although singer and keyboardist Lawrence Gowan has been on board since 1999 and drummer Todd Sucherman since 1997. This album marks the first appearance of lyricist and multi-instrumentalist Will Evankovich and bassist Terry Gowan (Lawrence’s younger brother) as official members.

Circling from Above is the 18th studio album for Styx. It builds on momentum establishing by “a creative resurgence” ^RP with 2017’s The Mission, “delivering a sound that’s both a love letter to their golden era and a confident step forward.” ^RP Thematically, it “explores themes of human ambition, technology, and nature.” ^WK

“The album’s sonic palette is crisp and vibrant, with production that’s polished yet punchy, letting each instrument shine. Shaw’s guitar riffs still bite, Gowan’s keyboards add a prog-rock shimmer, and Sucherman’s drumming is as dynamic as ever.” ^RP The album sports “lighter, melodic rock that flirts with yacht-rock smoothness – think ‘Babe’ with a modern sheen – but it doesn’t shy away from meatier riffs and intricate arrangements. Fans of classic prog might catch whiffs of Yes in the layered harmonies” ^RP and hear “Alan Parsons Project sneaking into the mix.” ^RP “It’s a record that feels cohesive yet varied, threading a consistent theme through its 13 tracks without ever feeling repetitive.” ^RP

It’s Clear “is the album’s crown jewel, a track that encapsulates Styx’s history while showcasing their current firepower. The interplay between Shaw’s vocals and Gowan’s keys is pure Styx, and the song’s anthemic chorus is bound to be a live staple.” Tracks like this “channel the band’s vintage magic, evoking the soaring melodies of Pieces of Eight and even the theatrical flair of Kilroy Was Here.” ^RP

This “is a testament to Styx’s enduring chemistry and willingness to evolve while staying true to their roots.” ^RP “The album is “nostalgic yet forward-looking, polished yet soulful. It’s an album that proves this veteran band still has plenty of gas in the tank. Pop it in, crank it up, and let Styx take you on a journey that’s out of this world.” ^RP “It’s the kind of album that rewards longtime fans with nods to their classic sound while inviting newcomers with its accessible, polished rock. If you lean toward the mellower side of rock – think Toto or Journey with a prog twist – this record belongs in your collection.” ^RP