LONG EARTH - Towards The Sky

Bakeniko [Release date: 26.06.26]

The summer of 2026 will forever be remembered as the hottest on record (so far), but with various events punctuating that heat not least the partial eclipse that had everyone reaching for those special glasses (or not, and seeking NHS assistance). The wonderment that the eclipse provided to mere mortals, our place in time, is to some extent reflected in the latest album from Scottish proggers Long Earth.

‘Towards The Sky’ explores the themes of space, the universe and artificial intelligence but, don’t worry, it all hangs together nicely.

The first thing you’ll be impressed with is Maaike Siegerist’s vocals but the terrific opener ‘Seahorses’ also reveals deft instrumentation supplied by Mike Baxter (keys), guitarist Renaldo McKim, bassist David McLachlan and drummer Kenny McCabe.

The band formed in 2015 releasing their debut album ‘The Source’ a year later. Since that time they’ve released two more albums to generally warm reception although escaping GRTR! attention. The main change in the band’s modus operandi is the female vocal, last album ‘An Ordinary Life’ featured Martin Haggarty. To be honest I think he detracted from previous proceedings.

The new album is best termed pop prog as evidenced in songs like ‘Artificial Child’, ‘Wanderlust’ and ‘First Casualty’. This pop sensibility aligns the band more with prime time Magenta or bands like early Karnataka and (come back) Panic Room.

A song like ‘Colours’ gives the band time to stretch out and showcases the keyboard skills of mainman Baxter. It’s something of a prog tour de force and arguably the album’s standout although ‘First Casualty’ comes close with McKim getting a chance to shine on the playout.

The longest track ‘The Astronomer’ evokes Genesis/Hackett period and should have been the piece de resistance but maybe a bit too well-trodden even for earnest proggers.

‘Monochrome’ has a real sense of purpose and follows a female fronted prog trajectory that started with Curved Air and perpetuated by seventies bands such as Earth And Fire. The vocal on ‘Moon And Mars’ reminds me of Siegerist’s fellow countrywoman Anneke van Giersbergen. English prog with a European sheen.

There is plenty here to whet the appetite of nascent, obsessive, and lapsed proggers everywhere. Long Earth have essentially absorbed six decades of the genre, the addition of Siegerist a master stroke. ****1/2

Review by David Randall

29 August 2026 – Glasgow, Drygate Brewery – Wha’s Like Us: The All Scottish Prog Fest
19 September 2026 – Crewe, The Arena – Railway Town Prog All-Dayer 2
28 November 2026 – Leicester, The International – Danfest 15
21 March 2027 – Glasgow, Ivory Blacks – Taking Prog To The People
5 June 2027 – Oundle, Queen Victoria Hall – The Soundle Weekend Music Festival

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 3 August 2026

STORMBRINGER Dirt And Bone (Attic Records)
SARI SCHORR Mr. In The Middle (Provogue Records)
JAMES KENNEDY & THE UNDERDOGS Shadows (Konic Records)
KATH & THE KICKS Sleep (indie)
VELVETEEN QUEEN Too Far Gone (Silver Lining Music)
SESAME GIRL Prettiest Girl In The World (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 3 August 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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