After last year’s triumphant and sad return for the final lap with Porcupine Tree, Prog music’s King, Steve Wilson was already planning his new solo album. After releasing an astounding album and a brief world tour to say goodbye, he is back to assert his dominance as a solo artist. While his signature sound is all over The Harmony Codex (Virgin Music Group), he has enlisted a bevy of conspirators to create his next epic musical adventure.
“Inclination” begins the opus slowly, with a purpose. Almost muted, with light and Jazzy Middle-Eastern motifs, hot brass, percolating beats and bass notes flow you in and transport you to a far away, wasted land. While no two albums by this artist are ever the same, this is as unique and special a song among his entire repertoire. Wilson has a way of expressing warmth emotionally with his voice with any kind of canvas, but even more so here.
The second track “What Life Brings” is more somber, and standard fare for SW solo albums. Uplifting and sad as a classic Pink Floyd or King Crimson song could do for you. Very reminiscent of the more delicate, wistful moments of The Raven Who Refused To Sing (And Other Stories) (Kscope). Speaking of the Floyd, yes, that is the buttery bass lines of nineties PF bassist Guy Pratt (Icehouse) you hear. His signature stands out on repeat listens since Wilson handles much of rest of the bass parts on the album. Purportedly recorded in solitude with remote performances from past collaborators such as Ninet Tayeb, Craig Blundell, and Adam Holzman and new partners including Jack Dangers (Meat Beat Manifesto) Sam Fogarino (Interpol), the masterful Wilson has tied this album together beautifully with no seams visible.
“Economies of Scale” is another surprising track, with glitchy beats and layers upon layers of lovely vocal parts. Having dabbled in the past with more ambient works, this is going to find favor with longtime SW obsessives, and fans Devin Townsend’s first foray into this style, Devlab (Hevy Devy Records).
Perhaps the centerpiece of the album, “Impossible Tightrope” is the most Porcupine Tree-esque track. I almost expected Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth) to appear in the credits, but these two artists have worked so closely in the past, it’s easy to mistaken one for the other, on occasion. Mainly a sprawling Progressive Rock workout, the entire track is magnificent and shows Wilson’s guitar (and bass) muscles flexing hard. Even still, this track has softer moments and resplendent beach sounds and sea gulls that return later on.
“Rock Bottom” has a movie soundtrack opening, but is carried by by Ninet Tayeb on co-lead vocals and guitar, and was the composer here. It speaks to their talent that is fully written by another collaborator on the album. The mantra in the refrain of “don’t lose hope” throughout the song will share your very mortal soul.
Alternating between the familiar and the quirky unexpected tracks, “Beautiful Scarecrow” is Wilson at his most haunted vocally. Once the track kicks in with this tribal jam section toward the end, a nice blend of programmed and acoustic drumming creates a wonderful thunderous backdrop. Nice guitar work from another sainted guest – Nick Beggs! A lot of this album sounds like the soundtrack to a movie we have yet to see. The Harmony Codex is more of a demented soundscape with a narrator in Rotem Wilson adding a dramatic flair.
“Time is Running Out” is begging us to take heed to the lyrics about modern digital lives, living for the ephemeral, fake, meaningless doom scroll generation. It’s got a bit of Peter Gabriel in it that I rather like. This track makes me kind of miss the old nineteen eighties Fairlight, Emulator, and Yamaha DX-7 homemade patch synth sounds that some of this cut calls back to. Chipping in a sweet bit of melodic guitar work is Niko Tsonev, in addition to Wilson’s outstanding piano/acoustic guitar counterpoint.
“Actual Brutal Facts” has Wilson rapping/chanting over a fat backing beat and post-Rock guitars. Akin to his work in the context of his the influential duo No Man with Tim Bowness, as a rapper Wilson is more Gibby Haynes than Ice Cube, but that is what works best for him. In fact, there is a real No Man vibe on this entire album. Yes, you will want to rap along with Steven. Yes, you will be smiling at the end of this clever song.
The closing track “Staircase” is much like the rest of the album experimental, yet easy to ingest prog/pop. Driving beats, beckoning vocals, earworm synths, and catchy choruses just soak you with sound. Can you headbang to a song without heavy riffs, that also has deep meaning? You can! Oh, and the best bass line on any album so far in 2023, courtesy of the maestro Wilson.
Did we mention the armies of obsessive fans before? The Harmony Codex will also be available as in a deluxe 3-disc limited edition featuring an exclusive hardback book. The expanded release adds Harmonic Distortion, a 77-minute reimagining of the album featuring alternate versions and remixes by Manic Street Preachers, Roland Orzabal (Tears for Fears), Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth), Interpol, Meat Beat Manifesto, Faultline, and Radiophonic Workshop. The set also includes a deluxe version of The Harmony Codex Blu-ray featuring Hi-Res 96/24 stereo, 5.1 surround, and Dolby Atmos mixes, two videos, and exclusive instrumental mixes of the full album in Hi-Res 96/24 stereo, 5.1 surround, and Dolby Atmos. The limited edition set further includes an exclusive 100-page hardback book, designed by longtime visual collaborator Carl Glover and featuring stunning work from acclaimed artist Hajo Mueller meticulously created in close collaboration with Wilson during the making of the album.
Another masterpiece album by modern Prog Rock’s everlasting voice.
Buy the album here:
https://stevenwilsonhq.com/
9 / 10
KEEFY