Circling From Above - (new Styx album)

[Jodes]

After finally getting a chance to listen to all of the songs, my first opinion? It's left me flat. It's the first Styx album since the Deyoung split that I've not as of yet had a song that I can "connect" to, like so many others.

Cyclorama came when I was struggling with my mental health working a thankless job teaching in a remote Indigenous community. Tracks like Fields of the Brave, Yes I Can (the first song my now wife absolutely loved from Styx) and of course These Are The Times and One With Everything were epic.

The Mission was Radio Silence. I was going through a huge family split that nearly tore us apart, and many times I felt I was on my own between my wife and my sister and her family. It was the first time that I'd heard a song that I could say "Holy Sh*t! that could have been on CB, GI or P08).

COTC was "Our Wonderful Lives" and "Hold Back The Darkness" (both came into my life when they were needed the most - I'd lost my mother to Alzheimer's after 14 years, the two beloved pets Lenard and Breezer within six months of each other. Grief and anxiety and depression hit me hard, so those two songs became almost daily reminders that you have to keep looking forward.

This though? Build and Destroy is catchy, the drum and bass work are outstanding, but it's just there. For the 1st time that I can remember I am listening to this CD and saying to myself why do they have to sound so much like ________, _________, and ___________. Maybe something will catch with me, but nothing as of yet.

Or I'm to the point in my life that's been so overcome with grief, sadness and emptiness that everything that has brought me joy in the past (concerts, sports, reading, music, work, friends, etc etc etc) has no positive affect on me anymore.

[yogi]

I hate to say it but I totally hear you. It’s not a bad album at all but nothing on it has grabbed me.

[ChicagoSTYX]

Another video review of the album.

https://youtu.be/uqHxtUfT4IM?si=h5XwMM1pjVeTgbRO

[Monker]

Well, my opinion:

I think this reminds me a LOT of Extreme's "III Sides to Every Story". It is a lesson in pure songwriting for an entire album...one song flowing into another. If you listen to the side 3 of the Extreme album it ends with the three part "Everything Under the Sun"...which I have always felt is a masterpiece, it is so good. I remember listening to that for the first time and being blown away by it. Styx does the same thing here but for an entire album, drawing influences from everywhere and just laying it all out there. You either love it or hate, I suppose. But, whichever, I hope you can appreciate the artistry and talent it takes to do something like this. It is set apart from all other Styx albums because of these things. Not comparable to Po8 or GI? No...but it's also not the 70's any longer. Also, this is an ALBUM, and IMO, is best appreciated by listening to ALL of it, not picking out singles. An "album" in the tradition of "Dark Side of the Moon" or "The Wall". To be honest, I am a bit shocked to hear such an album in 2025. To me, it's genius. The only thing missing is animation to go along with it to tell a story...I hope some fan does this.

[ChicagoSTYX]

Well, my opinion:

I think this reminds me a LOT of Extreme's "III Sides to Every Story". It is a lesson in pure songwriting for an entire album...one song flowing into another. If you listen to the side 3 of the Extreme album it ends with the three part "Everything Under the Sun"...which I have always felt is a masterpiece, it is so good. I remember listening to that for the first time and being blown away by it. Styx does the same thing here but for an entire album, drawing influences from everywhere and just laying it all out there. You either love it or hate, I suppose. But, whichever, I hope you can appreciate the artistry and talent it takes to do something like this. It is set apart from all other Styx albums because of these things. Not comparable to Po8 or GI? No...but it's also not the 70's any longer. Also, this is an ALBUM, and IMO, is best appreciated by listening to ALL of it, not picking out singles. An "album" in the tradition of "Dark Side of the Moon" or "The Wall". To be honest, I am a bit shocked to hear such an album in 2025. To me, it's genius. The only thing missing is animation to go along with it to tell a story...I hope some fan does this.

I agree with your opinion. This is a complete album that takes you on a trip through many of the aspects of the Styx catalog. I place this album above both The Mission and COTC.

[yogi]

I am NOT ripping Styx at all here, its a really good fluid album. For me it flows perfectly but with songs that are all over the place with none of the songs being instant likes that I will play over and over and over again such as: Locomotive, The Greater Good, Hold Back The Darkness, Save Us From Ourselves, and quite a few others from their last two albums.

Gowan has always sounded Queenish & Beatleish to me. But then Tommy, JY and the rest of Styx could somehow turn his Queen/Beatle sounding songs into Styx sounding songs. On this album not so much. For me so far on Circling From Above I'm hearing: The Beatles, Queen and Pink Floyd plus Styx( Tommy & JY) on a good album but with no standout /stand alone songs, that lacks an overall Styx sound.

Last night my wife and I drove 20+ minutes to Marshall, TX for dinner. We've been married 33 years, so obviously she has listened to Styx for 100's of hours. We've seen them together over 10 times. She's listened to Cyclorama, The Mission & Crash Of The Crown & she likes Styx. On our drive home I had the Circling From Above CD playing while she was looking at shit on her phone. About 5 minutes from the house she asked me who this is that we were listening to. When I told her it was Styx's new album she said I thought that was Tommy Shaws voice but it sure dosen't sound like them at all.

[Monker]

I am NOT ripping Styx at all here, its a really good fluid album. For me it flows perfectly but with songs that are all over the place with none of the songs being instant likes that I will play over and over and over again such as: Locomotive, The Greater Good, Hold Back The Darkness, Save Us From Ourselves, and quite a few others from their last two albums.

Gowan has always sounded Queenish & Beatleish to me. But then Tommy, JY and the rest of Styx could somehow turn his Queen/Beatle sounding songs into Styx sounding songs. On this album not so much. For me so far on Circling From Above I'm hearing: The Beatles, Queen and Pink Floyd plus Styx( Tommy & JY) on a good album but with no standout /stand alone songs, that lacks an overall Styx sound.

Last night my wife and I drove 20+ minutes to Marshall, TX for dinner. We've been married 33 years, so obviously she has listened to Styx for 100's of hours. We've seen them together over 10 times. She's listened to Cyclorama, The Mission & Crash Of The Crown & she likes Styx. On our drive home I had the Circling From Above CD playing while she was looking at shit on her phone. About 5 minutes from the house she asked me who this is that we were listening to. When I told her it was Styx's new album she said I thought that was Tommy Shaws voice but it sure dosen't sound like them at all.

I'm not saying you are trying to rip on Styx. What I am saying is your entire approach to this album is off. For example, I would never, ever, put "Dark Side of the Moon" on for a 20min road trip. The same is true for this album. It's not like Cyclorama, The Mission, or CotC. It's not like any other Styx album. The ALBUM is the experience, not single songs cut from it. If you are dissecting it, looking for singles, listening to where they sound like other bands, etc...then you are WAY over-analyzing it and I actually feel a bit sorry that can't experience and appreciate it for what it is. You are looking at a Magnum Opus through a microscope instead of seeing and appreciating the entirety of this great work. Imagine trying to appreciate the Mona Lisa through a magnifying glass....that is what you are doing.

I'll go back to "Everything Under the Sun"...I relistened to it last night. It is also all over the place. It has orchestration, strings, huge classical music influences, it has a Catholic priest reciting a blessing, many biblical references in the lyrics, Gary Cherone giving an incredible performance (IMO), and Nuno showcasing all kinds of different guitar techniques. It is NOT a 15min "More Than Words", or a sequel to Pornographiti, both of which I know fans probably expected. It is something special, unique in their catalog. That is what Styx did...but on an even bigger scale...an entire album like that. I know some fans are not going to like this...that is just a given...but at least appreciate the talent that it took to create this album.

[ChicagoSTYX]

Here is an interesting review...
https://80spastordude.com/2025/06/10/styx-circling-from-above-2025-a-review/

[yogi]

Monk, you may be 100% correct that this is Styx trying to record their Magnum Opus and it may very well be deemed that by music critics 100 Years From Now. But after at least ten full listens straight thru, for me and my ears my original assertion stays the same. Styx has never been further away from Pieces Of Eight & The Grand Illusion then they are with this album Circling From Above.

My ears hear a hodgepodge of music from Alan Parsons to Queen to The Beatles to Manilow and of course to Styx when Tommy, JY, and sometimes when LG sings. Still this hodgepodge somehow flows smoothly in spite of no spectacular songs.

The ultimate smooth flow perfectly for me album side was: Side Two of The Cars debut album. It was Fuc. King perfect! Four GREAT songs that all flow PERFECTLY into one another, PERFECTION! For Styx, Side two of Pieces Of Eight & Side two of Equinox are near perfect. The entire Crash Of The Crown album is nearly perfect. I mean that entire album is GREAT! Perfect to near perfect song flows include Eddie transitioning into Love In The Midnight & Half Penny/Two Penny bleeding into AD 1958, just awesome!! The Dream Theater concept album Metropolis ll Scenes From A Memory near perfect.... and there are others.

What I think we don't get here with this album are actual really good songs. None are great. Tommy sounds absolutely fantastic with everything he touches here but none of the songs even come close to touching songs like Man In The Wilderness, Love In The Midnight, Just Get Thru This Night, Locomotive, Hold Back The Darkness, The Greater Good, Save Us From Ourselves, Coming Out The Other Side, Yes I Can etc.... Also, after hearing this album I almost want to ask Styx, what now all of a sudden is wrong with a longer song. While not hits songs like Man In The Wilderness, These Are The Times & Crystal Ball were TOTALLY AWESOME. Where are those songs now?

On Circling From Above, JY & Tommy kind of do a Snowblind reprise with King Of Love and when JY with his great haunting voice starts singing If I was King Of This Ol' World you can hear Mirror Mirror On The Wall then the song somehow turns into the showtune that probably would have gotten DDY's Hunchback to Broadway. Gowan then goes Broadway Queen ala Beatles with Everyone Raise A Glass. Finally we get with conga music playing and Tommy starts singing "I found a Picture". Well with that one I swore I heard "Her name was Lola" Now that song is true Manilow territory. Good song but a Barry Manilow ripoff.

Lots of styles, lots of good songs here. I like Forgive. I like Michigan. I like King Of Love. I like Build & Destroy and I like Blue Eyed Raven. But to me they are all a far cry from the last two utterly fantastic Styx albums that had alot of GREAT GREAT songs and an album Crash Of The Crown that flowed damn near perfectly with GREAT GREAT songs on it. No matter how structurally, conceptually and smooth flowing an album is, how can it be great if the songs are not??

I promise, I will keep playing complete spins of Circling From Above. I will keep trying to love this album. But right now while I can see greatness with this Styx album, I don't hear greatness.

[ChicagoSTYX]

Another very good and interesting video review.

https://youtu.be/ojpOL7qUWDI?si=rl0SCzFXw0xAGa81

[yogi]

Great review of the album. I swear I’m trying to hear what all of you are hearing

[ChicagoSTYX]

Another video review. I have seen him review other albums before and he has other interesting videos on his channel.

https://youtu.be/2WtXaxQe71Y?si=7UuCZjmkg_xQ8U5P

[ChicagoSTYX]

Acoustic version of Build And Destroy

[https://youtu.be/1HkQDYVBobk?si=hENC-MMM-LQlUSVK

[ChicagoSTYX]

Looks like there’s more to come…..
https://x.com/styxtheband/status/1935394292056433116?s=46&t=iETAQ0bdg-w7-2tMz5MyYA

[yogi]

I’ve truly tried to like this album. I’m sorry but it’s back to Dream Theater’s Parasomnia while I wait for the new Shinedown album.

[ChicagoSTYX]

I would expect a second song from the album to be released to streaming services either tis week or next. Judging by the hype sticker on the album it could be The King Of Love. We'll see.....

[ChicagoSTYX]

Adding another video review of Circling From Above.
https://youtu.be/RE6Xl5TyuDo?si=4xZLWkTeWQKLlDXN

[Andrew]

Played for the first time today. Not one song or hook stood out. Will head back into it tomorrow.

[ChicagoSTYX]

Another album review...

Final Verdict: A Must-Listen for Rock Fans

Circling From Above is Styx at their best: 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.

Full review

https://www.therockpit.net/2025/album-review-styx-circling-from-above-2025-a-nostalgic-triumph-with-a-modern-twist/#:~:text=Circling%20From%20Above%20is%20Styx,that's%20out%20of%20this%20world.

[ChicagoSTYX]

Played for the first time today. Not one song or hook stood out. Will head back into it tomorrow.

Looking forward to your thoughts after another listen or two. It took me 3 or 4 listens to really appreciate it.

[ChicagoSTYX]

Starting to see more reviews pop up.... The official release date is July 18th.
http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=3197600

If this has been released in the Seventies then there is no doubt in my mind that it would have been yet another of their multi- platinum releases with songs which have catchy hooks and the Styx trademark sound all over them. It has been many years since they gained the success they so richly deserve but there is no doubt that with this album Styx have proved there is still plenty of life left in the AOR Gods yet and any fan of the classic years needs to hear this as it is a delight from beginning to end.

[ChicagoSTYX]

Here is an in studio version of the song Circling From Above.
https://youtu.be/mxGEWO-z_BQ?si=a_AE1S0n6v9iL1do

[ChicagoSTYX]

Another review.
https://www.antimusic.com/reviews/25/styx-circling-from-above/#google_vignette
Styx - Circling from Above

by Kevin Wierzbicki
The new Styx album is for the birds! That's not a slam; to the contrary the band's avian-themed concept album Circling from Above is a prog masterpiece that among other things, shows that the group is not content to sit back and rest on their laurels. And with so many hits like "Come Sail Away," "Renegade," "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)," "Lady," "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)" and many others under their belts, it would be easy for them to do so. Instead Circling from Above may be looked back on as one of the heights of their career. One of the cool things about progressive rock is that while the music takes you wherever you dare to go, the song lyrics, often cryptic, take you someplace completely different. And Styx have mastered this duality here. The album's title cut opens the record with a gothic keyboard intro from Larry Gowan before moving into an Alan Parsons-like, harmony vocal and guitar-filled groove that yes, is cryptic: "Wasteland in the skies/Open up your eyes/It's no surprise, it's a labyrinth in your mind." The song is short but it's an indication of the sonic labyrinth that's to come. "Build and Destroy" recalls Parsons too, gurgling like one of his robot-themed cuts and indeed the cut is futuristic, referencing the building of a machine and the use of AI; a secondary theme of the cut is the futility of it all, enhanced musically with lysergic guitar work and the chorus of "to build and destroy." A menacing aura hangs over "Michigan;" no surprise since the subject matter is how mankind is getting ahead of itself with technology it doesn't fully understand. What does all of this have to do with birds? That's the beauty of it; here's something for you to figure out if you are so inclined. Guitarist and singer Tommy Shaw is an avid birder and he wrote or co-wrote most of the album with Gowan and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Will Evankovich and if birds inspired them then so be it. Certainly there is nothing overtly avian-inspired about the awesome slice of glam pop that is "King of Love," a cut with an irresistible singalong chorus. "It's Clear" has an anthemic feel to it and classic prog keyboard parts from Gowan that swoop and soar; "Forgive" ends the first part of the effort with a demure Pink Floyd-ish groove. "Everybody Raise a Glass" is not at all cryptic; it's a positive and hopeful song about someone (or a planet?) that is in resurgence that nods at a fondness for the Beatles (or McCartney) and to that end has a chorus that will quickly earworm the listener given half a chance. Perhaps the strongest song on the album, from a pop hit perspective, is "We Lost the Wheel Again," a really fun cut to singalong to that, with its big drum sound and vocal arrangement is an obvious homage to the Who, and a great one at that. Thirteen cuts in all, Circling from Above is the kind of album that reveals layer after layer the more it is listened to. Shaw has stated that he wasn't sure if his bird-related songs would, uh, fly; fans will find out that it more than flies, it soars. Circling from Above is available now at the Styx website and at their live performances and will be otherwise released on July 18, 2025.
Rating:5 Stars

[epresley]

Just not grabbing me at all. I will keep spinning it and see if it grows on me!

[Andrew]

2nd okay I got half way thru before changing to something catchier.

[ChicagoSTYX]

https://www.therockpit.net/2025/album-review-styx-circling-from-above-2025-a-nostalgic-triumph-with-a-modern-twist/

When I first got my hands on Circling from Above, the latest offering from Styx, I’ll admit I was a tad skeptical. As a longtime fan, I’ve always had a soft spot for Tommy Shaw’s electrifying presence—his 1984 solo gem Girls with Guns still gets regular spins in my house. Styx, though, 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. With such a towering legacy, it’s tough not to measure new releases against their classic catalog. But I vowed to give this album a fair shake, approaching it with fresh ears and an open heart. Spoiler alert: I’m glad I did.

A Legacy That Rocks On
For the uninitiated, Styx formed in Chicago in 1972, rising from local bar gigs to arena-rock stardom with their blend of prog-rock theatrics, hard rock grit, and pop sensibilities. Albums like The Grand Illusion (1977) and Pieces of Eight (1978) cemented their place in rock’s pantheon, while 1983’s Kilroy Was Here took a bold, polarizing dive into concept-album territory. Despite lineup changes over the decades—most notably the departure of founding member Dennis DeYoung in 1999—the current lineup of Tommy Shaw, James “JY” Young, Lawrence Gowan, Chuck Panozzo, Ricky Phillips, Todd Sucherman, and Will Evankovich carries the torch with gusto.

Circling From Above is Styx’s 18th studio album and their third since 2017’s The Mission, a concept record that marked a creative resurgence. This new chapter builds on that momentum, delivering a sound that’s both a love letter to their golden era and a confident step forward.

The Sound: Classic Styx with a Fresh Coat of Paint
If you’re a Styx diehard, this album will hit you like a warm, nostalgic wave. Tracks like “It’s Clear” channel the band’s vintage magic, evoking the soaring melodies of Pieces of Eight and even the theatrical flair of Kilroy Was Here. I was genuinely surprised to hear echoes of the latter—a bold move, akin to Kiss dusting off vibes from their experimental Music from ‘The Elder’. 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.

What sets Circling from Above apart is its versatility. It’s got the 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, while certain atmospheric moments had me swearing, I heard Alan Parsons Project sneaking into the mix. It’s a record that feels cohesive yet varied, threading a consistent theme through its 13 tracks without ever feeling repetitive.

Standout Moments and Minor Missteps
“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. Other highlights include [insert another track if known, or I can search for specifics if you provide more details], which balances introspective lyrics with a driving rhythm section. But I do wish that the guitar work would have been featured a bit more. Its there but you must listen closely.

My only gripe? The album cover. It’s got a glossy, New Age vibe that screams Yanni or a meditation app soundtrack—hardly the bold imagery you’d expect from a band known for epic sound. But don’t let the artwork deter you; even though it still looks like a Yanni record.

Why You Should Listen
Circling From Above is a testament to Styx’s enduring chemistry and willingness to evolve while staying true to their roots. 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.

On the Road Again

Word on the street (and confirmed via recent web searches) is that Styx is hitting the road this summer to support Circling From Above. Having caught them live multiple times, I can vouch for their electrifying performances—Shaw and Young still command the stage like seasoned rock gods, and Gowan’s energy is infectious. Expect a setlist blending new tracks with classics, and check Styx’s official website for tour dates.

Final Verdict: A Must-Listen for Rock Fans

Circling From Above is Styx at their best: 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.

[yogi]

Shifting opinion: On Thursday I had to take my wife to Houston for a medical procedure. On the way back while stuck in rush hour traffic I put back in the Circling From Above CD while she slept almost the entire way home. 4+ hours later with 0 stops I realized I listened to nothing but that CD our entire drive back home. WOW!!

[ChicagoSTYX]

Here is a video of an interview with Will E about the making of Circling From Above.
https://youtu.be/ZqPL6wQ7Bv4?si=fnKB6D6iBGKjQdq5

[StyxGuy]

New video - Forgive (Live from Nashville / Acoustic Session)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFYXBoL4mYE

[GrandIllusionist725]

Had ordered my vinyl and the collectors box with coin when they announced. Received the album, had some pops at the end of side one and the awesome Styx team sent me another copy for free! Now, the collectors box is delayed and was looking at 7/4, now we are looking at the end of July.

Still an amazing listen!