Circling From Above - (new Styx album)

[ChicagoSTYX]

Here is a new interview with LG about the new album and some talk about the next album.....
https://youtu.be/Cmu18jkyr5Q?si=O1LrUcDRjmNSEacS

[ChicagoSTYX]

A review from a German website. Translated.

https://www.saitenkult.de/2025/07/07/styx-circling-from-above/

53 years after its foundation, STYX presents its 18th Studio album. The band, which became one of the leading forces of American arena rock in the seventies with classics such as ´The Grand Illusion´ (1977) and ´Pieces Of Eight´ (1978), once again proves its abilities of musical renewal with ´Circling From Above´.

Because since their self-titled debut in 1972, the band from Chicago has always developed. Works such as the synth concept album ´Kilroy Was Here´ (1983), the harder ´Edge Of The Century´ (1990) or the retrospective comeback ´The Mission´ (2017) testify to a steat change with stylistic openness. Even the last published ´Crash Of The Crown´ in 2021 proved this claim.

´Circling From Above´ is, as expected, linked to its two predecessors in terms of content and music. The 13 new compositions in just under three quarters of an hour were produced under the direction of Will Evankovich, who has officially been a full member of the band since 2022. In all this, the conceptual focus is once again on the field of tension between technology, man and nature.

The short introductory opener ´Circling From Above´ unfolds a spacious atmosphere, supported by flat synthesizer sounds, floating guitar lines and the characteristic harmony vocals of Lawrence Gowan and Tommy Shaw. The transition to the single ´Build And Destroy´ succeeds seamlessly, almost in the ELOY style. The song combines an hymnal melody with light SUPERTRAMP flair. With ´Michigan´ follows a striking mid-tempo piece with a folklorice touch, acoustic, but thanks to the striking voices and Lawrence Gowan's key work unmistakably STYX.

´King Of Love´, with James Young at the microphone, brings rhythmic variety with handclaps, a driving electronic-like beat and funky bass. ´It's Clear´ is supported by a gentle groove and polyphonic songs, which are often reminiscent of the VON HERTZEN BROTHER. ´Forgive´, however, looks like a deliberately set resting pole, acoustic and with a clear BEATLES impact.

The second half of the work is opened by STYX with ´Everyone Raise A Glass´ – an eccentrically staged piece, somewhere between Cabaret, ELO and QUEEN. The following ´Blue Eyed Raven´ surprises with mandoline, fiddle and a southern-inspired guitar solo, an almost gypsy-folk excursion that fits surprisingly homogeneously into the album.

´She Knows´ brings the band back to their proven harmony rock with piano foundation, while ´Ease Your Mind´ acts as a short intermezzo, a 45-second sound image. ´The Things That You Said´ is then a prog pop beauty. Bassist Terry Gowan and drummer Todd Sucherman deliver a rhythmic foundation here that evokes memories of Alan Parsons, Jeff Lynne and even early YES.

With ´We Lost The Wheel Again´ an almost unexpected break follows. Will Evankovich takes over the lead vocals and reminds vocally of Roger Daltrey. The riff-emphasisized arrangement lies stylistically between Billy Squier and THE WHO, a truly energetic moment. The end is the dreamy ´Only You Can Decide´, of course supported by harmonies, reverber guitars and progressive restraint.

According to the state of affairs, STYX succeeds in another convincing statement with ´Circling From Above´. Supporters of ´The Mission´ and ´Crash Of The Crown´ will find a consistent further development. Thus, STYX also prove in 2025 that they are far from belonging to the old iron.

(8.25 points)

Https://www.facebook.com/styxtheband

[ChicagoSTYX]

Review.

https://rezonatz.com/2025/07/02/styx-circling-from-above-universal-music-album-review-by-kev-rowland/

I must confess it has been decades since I last heard a new Styx album, but I did really enjoy ‘Brave New World’, and here in 2025 the latest incarnation of the band is back with the 18th studio album of their career. They are now seven-strong, but as long as JY and Tommy Shaw are there then to my mind it is all good. The line-up is James “JY” Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards), Will Evankovich (acoustic and electric guitars, vocals) and Terry Gowan (bass, vocals) and if, like me, you have not heard this band for years then putting this on is like sitting in your favourite armchair, as it is like they have managed to push back time fifty years to when they were in their heyday. Okay, so the songs may not all be as strong as they were leading up to ‘Paradise Theatre’, but this is still a really nice album which I have enjoyed way more than I expected to. I honestly thought I would miss Dennis DeYoung’s vocals and performance, but that was not the case at all as Lawrence has been there for well over 20 years and is firmly in control, – strange to think he has now been in the band for way longer than the person he replaced. 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.

9/10 Album Review by Kev. Rowland

[ChicagoSTYX]

Review

https://maximumvolumemusic.com/review-styx-circling-from-above-2025/#:~:text=At%20differing%20times%20the%20album,best%20of%20the%20band's%20harmonies.

The general consensus is that veteran bands are , by now, supposed to have respectfully moved aside for the new generation. These younger upstarts are supposed to be taking music into more exciting and creative directions. Mow maybe it’s just me, it usually is, but whenever I hear the vast majority of younger modern bands they all seem to sound like bands of the past. I accept there are always exceptions to the rule but the amount of acclaimed newer bands today just sound like lesser versions of our original heroes.

Bands like should just be touring their “greatest hits” is what many would have you believe. Fortunately whilst the band are more than happy to give their live crowd more hits than they can handle they current have a creative studio itch that they keep scratching which is producing some high quality additions to their sublime back catalogue.

The latest cherry on top of the career cake is Circling From Above, the band’s 18th studio release and the first for twenty years without bassist Ricky Phillips. His role was taken by Terry Gowan, brother of keyboardist/vocalist Lawrence.

The two minute title track is the opener that could act as good set opener in the live environment. It shares a kinship with the ethereal side of a Roger Waters-less Pink Floyd. It bleeds nicely into the up-tempo “Build and Destroy”, complete with a classic James Young guitar solo. It’s a track that sets the tone for the album nicely. The album explores themes of human ambition, technology and nature, often within the same track.

Every track on this album feels cohesive yet part of a wider musical ideal and like The Dude’s rug in The Big Lebowski, the third track “Michigan” really ties the room together does it not?

At differing times the album is jazz-infused, fiery rock, progressive but majestic in its melodic mindset. Nothing illustrates that more than “The Things That You Said” which is a glorious track, utilising the very best of the band’s harmonies.

“Blue Eyed Raven” is a classy slice of late night latin acoustic funk that shows the band enjoying themselves as if they were in their mid-20’s.

Many bands of a certain vintage will be happy to live off former glories but Styx are determined to press ahead and earn new glories. Circling From Above achieves just that.

Donnie’s Rating: 8.5/10

[ChicagoSTYX]

Review 7/10/25

https://getreadytorock.me.uk/blog/2025/07/album-review-styx-circling-from-above/

Alpha Dog 2T/UMe (Release Date 18.07.25)

While many ‘heritage’ classic rock acts on both sides of the pond have chosen to give up on writing new material and rely on their legacy catalogue, in recent years Styx have proved a commendable contrast to contemporaries like REO Speedwagon and Foreigner. ‘Circling From Above’ represents a third album of all new material in the last eight years, following in the footsteps of ‘The Mission’ and ‘Crash of the Crown’.

The title track is an instrumental soundscape pitched somewhere between Pink Floyd and the Beatles, leading into the excellent ‘Build and Destroy’. It combines the vintage- very seventies-sounding keyboards from Lawrence Gowan (was that even a mellotron?) and a wah-wah guitar solo- with the contemporary- the lyric ‘lost in the sky, we turn to AI’- as well as trademark vocal harmonies.

Unfortunately what follows does not quite match up- ‘Michigan’ (a random title with no connection to the lyrics) is Tommy Shaw’s first lead vocal and a pleasant enough song with some Beatles-ish harmonies, which takes a few listens to appreciate.

‘King of Love’, which features James ‘JY’ Young’s only vocal contributions, in almost spoken style and shared with Tommy, is an odd one- moving in and out of being another with Beatles and ELO influences, and a rock’n’roll pastiche with added harmonica playing. And ‘Its Clear’ is rather spoiled by Lawrence’s vocals being swamped in effects, ironically given the title.

The ballad ‘Forgive’ is another where the strings give a strong feel of ELO or late-period Beatles and ‘Everybody Raise a Glass’ where Lawrence channels some of the musical theatre tendencies of his predecessor Dennis De Young also has Beatles influences.

‘Blue Eyed Raven’ is an interesting proposition- a typical Tommy Shaw acoustic ballad which also reminds me of Uriah Heep’s ‘Lady in Black’, it bursts into life midway through with the best outbreak of lively gypsy fiddling since ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’, matching the lyrical theme.

Over recent years Will Evankovich has become an important part of the Styx picture- first as producer, more recently as a band member and on this album co-writer of nearly all the songs with Messrs Shaw and Gowan. He even sings lead on a couple, including ‘She Knows’, boasting a mid-song clarinet solo, though his decent voice is hardly distinctive.

A synth solo is the highlight of ‘Things That You Said’ which is another mellow, ELO-ish song and it is disappointing that Tommy Shaw does not sing any rockier songs on the album. Moreover there are virtually no guitar solos and anyone hoping for pomp epics like ‘Suite Madame Blue’ or ‘Castle Walls’ will be disappointed with every song clocking in at well under four minutes.

Several of the lyrics are thoughtful musings on the state of the human condition in these times including the last two songs. ‘We Lost the Wheel Again’ is a much-needed Who-style rocker, livelier, rougher and less polished than the rest of the album and with guitar and synth solos, only for the album to close with another ballad in the rather dull ‘Decide Your Fate’.

The arrangements are slick and once you come to terms with the fact it is not a hard rocking album, the songs really grow on you. Nevertheless I can’t hide the fact I was hoping for a rather less mellow offering. *** 3/4

[ChicagoSTYX]

Video review calling Circling From Above their best album since Paradise Theater.

https://youtu.be/aPmk6YOq3Xw?si=rJSUgRM9my0Q2M76

[birdynumnum]

I haven't heard the album yet but find it curious that most reviews mention that they sound like (put your 70's prog rock band here, Queen, ELO Alan Parsons etc). I don't hear that they sound like Styx though.

[Monker]

I haven't heard the album yet but find it curious that most reviews mention that they sound like (put your 70's prog rock band here, Queen, ELO Alan Parsons etc). I don't hear that they sound like Styx though.

The same was argued about Crash of the Crown.

They don't sound like GI/Po8/PT. And, they have not sounded like those albums since 1983. when Kilroy was released. They sound like "Styx", just not like 45yr old Styx.

[ChicagoSTYX]

https://www.hooked-on-music.de/review/Styx-Circling-From-Above/16306


The Chicago AOR/Progressive Rock/Art Rock band STYX is, if, during this long time, also transformed several times, has now been active in the music circus for more than fifty years.
In a few days, Universal Music will release the new studio album of this group, which can be described as the legend of the US music industry.
The release is titled "Circling From Above". It comes on the market as CD, LP and digitally.
The thirteen-part work does not contain the listener any of the numerous, long-established stylistic and creative features that have long become typical for the extensive creation of this act.
Every now and then the highly melodic, multi-layered, sometimes quite demanding, pleasantly audible and no slagging or length, mixture of AOR and Progressive Rock administered here is equivalent to a concept album.
The texts thematize, in simple and comprehensible words, many things that are worth thinking about in today's time.
No one can associate something new or even groundbreaking with the upcoming output of STYX.
However, Tommy Shaw & Co. are honorably pulling themselves out of the affair by ultimately offering the fans exactly what they want and can expect from them. Rock songs and ballads in considerable quality, namely, which have interesting and even filigree subtleties.
With "Circling From Above" the veterans do not add another milestone to their long diskography, but at least an appealingly composed, skillfully recorded and conscientiously produced record.

[ChicagoSTYX]

Review 7/14/25

https://progreport.com/styx-circling-from-above-album-review/

Review of the new Styx album ‘Circling From Above’
by Bob Keeley

Styx was founded well over 50 years ago and had a string of hits in the 70s. Their sound was marked by rich stacks of vocals, tunes that stuck in our heads, and a sound that had many of the hallmarks of prog while being poppy enough to get their songs on the radio. As with any band that has a long history, they’ve had their share of people leaving and joining the band. They also took a couple of lengthy breaks in the 80s and 90s but have been a fairly consistent touring band again since the late 90s.

The current lineup of Styx still features founder James “JY” Young and early member Tommy Shaw but, since the departure of Dennis De Young in 1999, Lawrence Gowan has held down the keyboard and vocal slot and, although this is a band with multiple lead vocalists, Gowan is often the frontman in concert with his dynamic stage presence. While Styx released three albums in the early 2000s they were just a touring band for more than a decade. Then, in 2017, the release of The Mission got people’s attention. It was a really good album! The follow-up, Crash of the Crown in 2021 was maybe even better and showed that The Mission wasn’t a fluke. It seems that Styx was back with great shows and new music that could stand up next to their classic material.

The new album, Circling from Above, continues in the same tradition as their recent excellent offerings. While it sounds just like a Styx album, there are some really interesting tracks with nods to other classic bands and styles along the way. Case in point: the opening title track, sets the stage for an album about technology and nature but, even though it is less than two minutes in length, it evokes Pink Floyd, a band that has flirted with the same lyrical themes. This melds into “Build and Destroy,” a strong melody featuring classic Styx vocals but, even as it reminds us of the band from 50 years ago, the synth solo feels fresh and new, giving them a wider musical pallet than they would have used in their classic material.

The album features a remarkable breadth of styles as Styx cranks through 13 strong tracks with all lead vocalists getting a chance to shine and the trademark vocal harmonies front and center. “King of Love,” though, is a straight-ahead rocker that shows that there are some serious players in this band with a guitar solo that is a real treat. “Everybody Raise Your Glass” could be a show tune, giving us a sound reminiscent of a music hall from the 1940s but yet, it sounds fresh and fits nicely alongside the rest of the album. This is followed by the Latin influenced “Blue Eyed Raven” which features a great acoustic guitar pattern. Speaking of great acoustic guitar patterns, the rocker “We Lost the Wheel Again” could almost be a lost Who song. The album closes with “Only You Can Decide,” a song that encourages us not to just let technology take over but to be aware of what it does to us as it does things for us.

The overall sense that one gets from listening to the 13 tracks of Circling from Above is that of a band that isn’t just going to finish out their career just playing their greatest hits. This is another solid album that continues to build on the band’s creative resurgence.

[ChicagoSTYX]

Review 7/16/25

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/styx-circling-from-above-review/

Circling From Above isn't a concept album, despite initial reports of an avian theme. Styx sticks with that about as long as the Beatles did with Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Instead, this is a love letter to classic rock, as seen through the prism of Styx.

They played their role in that story, so this album fittingly includes a handful of songs that recall Styx's career-making late-'70s records. These principally belong to stalwarts Tommy Shaw ("Michigan," from a song idea dating back to 2011, "Only You Can Decide"), Chuck Panozzo ("Ease Your Mind," with a turn on bass that's somehow both airy and firm) and James "J.Y." Young ("King of Love," featuring both his signature baritone and a typically bonkers solo). But longtime keyboardist Lawrence Gowan and newer addition Will Evankovich helped widen the LP's scope.

Circling From Above begins with a Mobius strip-like overture from the Pink Floyd playbook that dissolves into "Build and Destroy," the album's galloping lead single. (Gowan's throwback synth sounds are matched pace for pace by Shaw's throwback wah solo.) "Everybody Raise Your Glass" is a collaboration between Shaw, Evankovich, and Gowan that began as a Beatles-like dancehall pastiche but evolved into a rock song inspired by Queen, showcasing a vocal bravado that recalls Freddie Mercury.

Evankovich's pop-rock love letter, "She Knows," delves deeper into the swirling Beatles influences, culminating in a playful first-take clarinet solo by Jeff Coffin of the Dave Matthews Band. "The Things You Said," written by Shaw and Evankovich, takes dead aim at the passive-aggressive with a chorus of layered Tommy Shaws straight out of the Electric Light Orchestra's Eldorado era. "We Lost the Wheel Again," with lyrics and music by Evankovich, turns into a Who-style goof, complete with a crowing Roger Daltrey-ish approach at the mic and some wild-eyed Keith Moon-isms from drummer Todd Sucherman.

Sometimes, Circling From Above doesn't feel much like Styx: "It's Clear" is a solid block of MOR rock with co-writers Gowan on the verses, Shaw on the chorus and Evankovich on the answering bridge. The story song "Blue-Eyed Raven" certainly sounds like Shaw, but when he's making a rootsy solo turn like 2011's The Great Divide. Evankovich and Gowan's "Forgive" is as delicately gorgeous as it is impossible to picture on any previous Styx project. But that works, too, as long as the LP's premise is accepted — no, not the bird thing. Circling From Above isn't just a Styx album; it's a fizzy, impossible-to-resist exploration of their influences.

Read More: Styx's New Album Is a Love Letter to Classic Rock | https://ultimateclassicrock.com/styx-ci ... m=referral

[ChicagoSTYX]

Review 7/16/25

https://crypticrock.com/styx-circling-from-above-album-review/#:~:text=Circling%20From%20Above%20is%20a,rich%20without%20veering%20into%20sentimentality.

After nearly five decades of musical exploration, Styx returns in 2025 with their eighteenth studio album, Circling From Above. Produced by longtime collaborator and now full-fledged band member Will Evankovich, the album will be released via Alpha Dog 2T/UMe on July 18, 2025, and continues the band’s late-career resurgence that began with 2017’s The Mission and 2021’s Crash of the Crown. This time, the band leans intensely into unique cinematic textures, emotional nuance, and tightly knit, sharply crafted songs, all without exceeding four minutes in length.

Upon closer examination of this legendary band, Tommy Shaw and James “J.Y.” Young remain the dual pillars of guitar and vocals. In contrast, Lawrence Gowan’s keyboard work and vocals add a vibrant and theatrical flair that has only grown in intensity since he joined twenty-six years ago in 1999. Will Evankovich, who notably co-produced their last two records, steps into a full-time role as a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. He joins Shaw and Gowan as the band’s primary songwriting team. Bass duties are now in firm possession of Terry Gowan, Lawrence’s younger brother, while Chuck Panozzo still contributes, these days particularly on studio material. Joining everyone, Drummer Todd Sucherman, a master of both precision and fluidity, remains a rhythmic genius throughout.

Altogether, the current lineup of Styx combines veteran stability with fresh chemistry. With all of that in mind, they came together for Circling From Above to create an absolute powerhouse collection of songs that may be one of the band’s most cohesive and emotionally resonant pursuits yet. A bold statement, the album includes a total of thirteen well-crafted tracks, all starting with the lush, cinematic overture of the title track. Setting an almost ethereal tone, it evokes the feeling of floating above Earth, both literally and metaphorically. A great way to start the record, it introduces the themes of detachment, technology, and the search for human connection.

Meanwhile, “Michigan” veers darker in tone, with swirling synths, brooding chords, and a haunting vocal performance from Tommy Shaw. Sucherman’s dynamic drumming gives the track a haunting energy, while layers of enveloping textures add to its hypnotic quality. In contrast, “King of Love,” led by J.Y. Young, introduces a glam-pop swagger reminiscent of Queen, complete with harmonica flourishes and anthemic choruses. Overall, it is one of the most playful tracks on the album, and the whole band pushes into it with joyous abandon. From here, you have the hushed ballad “It’s Clear” before splitting from its cocoon and blossoming into a Western-infused rocker with spaghetti-western flair. Then comes “Forgive,” a soft, ‘look-in-the-mirror’ type moment built around a dashing marriage of acoustic guitar and piano.

Styx’s lighter side then shines through in “Everybody Raise a Glass,” a buoyant and celebratory track with orchestral accents and a light vein of optimism. However, if that was not enough, the musical journey takes a surprising turn with “Blue Eyed Raven,” which is saturated with Celtic Folk elements and features mandolin, fiddle, and a distinctly earthy tone. Shaw’s storytelling is vivid and poetic, bringing to life a mythic, nature-bound character with conviction.

Beyond all of this, you also have “She Knows with smoky vocal tones of Evankovich, the ramped up energy of “The Things That You Said” with dense harmonies and swirling synths, and “We Lost the Wheel Again” that explodes with a nostalgic Rock energy, as Evankovich channels Roger Daltrey in his vocal performance. In the end, “Only You Can Decide” brings things to a soft, introspective landing. Shaw and Gowan harmonize gently over acoustic strums and understated strings. A fitting closer, in many ways, it recalls earlier Styx ballads but with the benefit of age, wisdom, and a more profound sense of humility.

Circling From Above is a triumph, however, not just for what it delivers musically, but for how it reaffirms Styx’s identity in 2025. The album is ambitious without being gluttonous, confident without slipping into cliche, and emotionally rich without veering into sentimentality. Will Evankovich’s production is detailed yet never overbearing, and the band’s chemistry is palpable in every note. For longtime fans, it is a rewarding continuation. For newcomers, it is a stunning introduction to a band that is still evolving and soaring high above the noise. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Circling From Above 4 out of 5 stars.

[ChicagoSTYX]

Video review from The Real Music Observer.....He calls the album Brilliant! 10 out of 10.

https://youtu.be/L3zyLkhVO5o?si=pokTLVBN-JptA7Un

[ChicagoSTYX]

https://0dayrox2.org/2025/07/styx-circling-from-above-2025-hq-0dayrox-exclusive.html

Legends STYX will release their highly anticipated new album next July 18th, 2025, however the band is selling the CD at every show of their current ‘Brotherhood of Rock’ tour with The Kevin Kronin Band and special guest Don Felder.
We’re presenting in exclusive at 0dayrox “Circling From Above“, STYX’s 18th studio album in their formidable catalog – and let us tell you this is a serious candidate for ‘album of the year’.
Musically “Circling From Above” is classic STYX, with songwriting & production recalling their glorious late ’70s / early ’80s sound. The recording features contributions from all seven members of the band, including founding guitarist / vocalist James “JY” Young (affectionately known as “The Godfather of STYX”), guitarist / vocalist Tommy Shaw, original bassist Chuck Panozzo, longtime drummer Todd Sucherman, keyboardist / vocalist Lawrence Gowan, guitarist / vocalist Will Evankovich and bassist Terry Gowan.
“Circling From Above” is a masterclass in songwriting and STYX timeless ability to fuse progressive rock technicality with sing a long melodic anthems.
You saw it here first at 0dayrox

[ChicagoSTYX]

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/entertainment/music/going-back-to-a-70s-sound-styx-as-progressive-as-ever-on-new-album/ar-AA1INAmh

Going back to a 70s sound, Styx as progressive as ever on new album.

They are one of the longest-running classic rock bands and have countless hit songs. And yet to this day, Styx can still be misunderstood.
Thanks to such classics as the ballad "Babe" or the soft folk-rock number "Boat On A River" which only made the charts in Europe, Styx is often considered to be a soft-rock group. This, even though they were one of the first successful progressive-rock bands in the United States.
Now, on their 18th album titled "Circling From Above," this progressive style is once again clearly in evidence.

A broad musical palette.
"I think that Styx, almost notoriously, were never critics' darlings. This is long before I was in the band," says Lawrence Gowan, who has been a singer and keyboard player for Styx since 1999."They had a very wide palette that they drew from," the 68-year-old musician says. "They could be very much a pop band. They could be a heavy rock band, and they could also be a progressive band. There were so many ways that you could relate to them that maybe one of those elements might be not what your taste is."

Yet all the criticism notwithstanding, Styx has since the 1970s succeeded in filling large concert halls with regular tours. But most recently they have once again been extremely productive in the recording studio. "Circling From Above" is their third album in eight years. This is important both for the band and the group's fans, Gowan argues.
"You're proving to yourselves and to your audience that you're still viable, that you still have thoughts, musical thoughts and lyrical thoughts that are occurring to you that you feel are relevant to 2025. That's very important," he says.

Song texts are a matter of interpretation.
On the latest album, the subject matter is the conflict between technology and nature, artificial intelligence and a bit of science fiction. Styx is never outright political—who can blame them in these turbulent times?—but they are also not completely apolitical, says Scotland-born Gowan. Listeners can interpret the songs for themselves.
"I think our intention is basically to say something specific in an unspecific way," he says, adding about this approach: "It's the best."
Musically, "Circling From Above" is once again a versatile work with polyphonic vocals, classic synthesizers and complex arrangements thanks to the influences of the various songwriters and singers in the group.
The intro is inevitably reminiscent of Pink Floyd, but Gowan also said he was influenced by Genesis. The aim was to make a modern classic rock album in the style of the 70s.
Styx succeeded in this. Highlights include the melodic rock number "It's Clear" and the folk-rock song "Blue Eyed Raven" sung by Tommy Shaw to the accompaniment of Spanish guitars and mandolins.

Music that unfolds slowly.
The 71-year-old Shaw's voice still sounds like it did in the 70s, when he joined the band in his early 20s and immediately shaped Styx's sound with hits such as "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)" and "Too Much Time on My Hands".
Such catchy songs are not immediately recognizable on "Circling From Above". But the more you listen to the album, which almost seems like a concept album, the more the music unfolds.
However, Styx won't have too much space for the new songs on the upcoming US concert tour. Because they will first perform the eight-song classic album "The Grand Illusion" from 1977 in full.

© DPA

[ChicagoSTYX]

https://thedarkmelody.com/styx-circling-from-above-album-review/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLnJl9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE0b0ZVOVFxd1Foa3M1R1BQAR6vYHpXmJl_pR9jcifjjQ0XNe4_4RNHCAOaRyAyQfIfsg1txRB7H-0tnCLl3Q_aem_Djgf6rXNfSse0CHjf1Y_nw

To talk about Styx is to talk about one of the most emblematic bands of American rock, a pioneer in that hybrid sound that blends the power of hard rock with progressive elegance and a refined taste for melodies. Their legacy, which dates back to the early 1970s, has left its mark with memorable albums like The Grand Illusion (1977), Pieces of Eight (1978), and Paradise Theatre (1981). But beyond nostalgia and timeless classics, Styx continues today with a solid and worthy creative activity, and their new work, " Circling from Above ," which is officially released this July 18, is further proof of this.
For this writer, Styx isn't just another band. I discovered them at the tender age of 12 thanks to the unforgettable hit " Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) ," and their music has been a constant companion in my life ever since. I also remember how in Uruguay , the ballad " Babe " was chosen as the number one song of 1979 by an English-language radio station, a milestone that marked the band's regional impact beyond the borders of the United States. This emotional connection to the group's history inevitably gives this new album an additional symbolic charge.

« Circling from Above » offers a journey of thirteen songs where the band - led by the tireless Tommy Shaw along with James “JY” Young , Chuck Panozzo , Todd Sucherman , Will Evankovich , Lawrence Gowan and Terry Gowan - shows that it still has a lot to offer. From the start with the title track, Styx introduces us to a recognizable but revitalized sound proposal, in the best Pink Floyd style circa « Wish You Were Here » with enveloping keyboards, guitar riffs and a modern production but faithful to its roots.
The second track, " Build and Destroy ," is undoubtedly the album's biggest impact. Energetic, vibrant, with a powerful groove and memorable synthesizer performance by Lawrence Gowan , this first promotional cut—with a reminiscent of The Alan Parsons Project —stands as one of the album's standout compositions and probably one of the most accomplished in their recent catalog. It's a song that captures the band's essence and projects it effortlessly into the present.

The album's first six tracks mark a brilliant start. " Michigan " slows down a bit but gains in emotion, while " King of Love " recovers the rock pulse with a catchy riff and a charming retro vibe. " It's Clear ," on the other hand, introduces a more introspective and melancholic touch, revealing the band's versatility in handling different moods. " Forgive ," which closes this spectacular first half, combines subtle arrangements with an emotionally powerful melody.
From there, the album transitions into a calmer second half, with nuances of folk, pop, and soft rock that, while lessening the initial intensity, provide variety. “ Everybody Raise a Glass ” is a light, celebratory anthem, ideal for live performances, while “ Blue Eyed Raven ” and “ She Knows ” focus on melodic sensitivity and serene atmospheres. “ Ease Your Mind ” and “ The Things That You Said ” provide more relaxed textures, although they perhaps move away from the level of inspiration shown at the beginning.
The final stretch is closed by two songs that recover a certain depth: “ We Lost the Wheel Again ”, with its air of existential reflection and very careful instrumentation, and “ Only You Can Decide ”, which closes the album with a clear and comforting message, faithful to the hopeful philosophy that always hovered over Styx 's discography .
In short, " Circling from Above " is a mature, emotional, and well-crafted album that finds the band at a point where the classic and the contemporary coexist naturally. For longtime fans, it represents a sincere reunion with a project that remains true to its identity; and for new listeners, it can be a welcome entry into the universe of one of the most beloved bands in American rock.

8.0/10

[ChicagoSTYX]

Here is a video of Todd recording the drum tracks for the song Forgive at Blackbird Studios in Nashville.

https://youtu.be/1MgIT6aRxag?si=GV6T-nxxC7FTH3L_

[ChicagoSTYX]

It's a little early to start watching the charts with the album only being released today but here are some early numbers..

iTunes Rock #8
iTunes overall #46
Amazon Rock #20
Amazon overall #43

[ChicagoSTYX]

It's a little early to start watching the charts with the album only being released today but here are some early numbers..

iTunes Rock #8
iTunes overall #46
Amazon Rock #20
Amazon overall #43

I know these charts move quickly but in just a few hours on iTunes… With a Bullet!
Rock #2
Overall #26

[ChicagoSTYX]

Amazon sales are spiking!
Rock #8
Overall #19

[ChicagoSTYX]

https://vintagerock.com/styx-circling-from-above-new-studio-release-review/


Perennial rockers Styx recently toured behind their breakthrough album The Grand Illusion, playing the 1977 masterwork in its entirety before adoring fans clamoring for radio staples “Come Sail Away” and “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man).”

While it’s easy to think of Styx’s success as instantaneous, it’s important to remember this was the band’s seventh album in five years. Up until its release, the quintet paid its dues through a unique combination of progressive rock leanings and carnival barker-like storytelling courtesy of original frontman Dennis DeYoung. It’s this period of Styx that resonates the strongest with me as it not only speaks to the group’s innovation; it ultimately helped ensure its longevity.

Ask me my favorite Styx song and you won’t hear “Mr. Roboto,” “Lady,” or “Too Much Time on My Hands.” You’ll hear “Suite Madame Blue.” Why? Because it’s a perfect amalgam of concept and instrumental crunch. DeYoung’s ode to America and the Bicentennial begins softly enough until a lush synthesizer flourish enters the soundscape and Tommy Shaw’s and James “J.Y.” Young’s guitar attack takes hold, all complemented by fantastic vocal harmonies from DeYoung, Shaw, and Young. If I had the power to enshrine Styx in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, that song title would be the only thing I’d write on their application — it speaks volumes to the band’s sound and substance.

On Circling From Above, the band’s 18th studio album, it’s clear they haven’t forgotten this aesthetic 50 years on. It’s chock full of all the meaty Styx staples — golden harmonies, vocal edge, and tight instrumental cohesion — but what stands out most is the band staying true to concept, not commercialism or that unfortunate word “corporate” that was falsely heaped on them during their heyday period of 1977 to 1983. Clocking in at just over 40 minutes and featuring contributions from all of the band’s 2025 seven-man roster, Circling From Above wears its prog influences proudly, which to me makes it worth diving into.

Kicking off with the instrumental title track, Shaw’s guitar work echoes that of Steve Hackett’s as listeners will also pick up on a Yes-90125 influence in his notes. From there, the band dives into “Build and Destroy,” which recalls the collective sound of 1975’s Equinox. Circling’s lyrics, written by Shaw, keyboardist Lawrence Gowan, and guitarist Will Evankovich, don’t speak to a blue-collar mindset; instead they weave around concepts of dreams, nature, and humanity as technology (particularly AI) dominates the global landscape. The only disappointing thing is none of the members of Nektar appear on this album as special guests since themes of satellites and birds sound right up their alley.

Album standout tracks include “Michigan,” which has Shaw’s vocals sounding as top notch as when he took the lead on “Crystal Ball” back in ’76. “King of Love” features Young’s distinctively sly baritone and conjures up his other classic tunes like “Miss America” and “Great White Hope.” “Everyone Raise a Glass” is the most DeYoung-sounding of the tracks, sounding like a forgotten cut from the group’s Paradise Theatre album of ’81. You can’t help but think Queen’s “Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy” as you listen. “The Things That You Said” seemingly recalls the “Suite Madame Blue” synthesizer sound, while “We Lost The Wheel Again” is a solid rocker that has the group sounding like The Who during their Quadrophenia phase.

While time will tell if Styx ever makes the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (geez, at least put them on a fan ballot already!), Circling From Above is a solid, full-circle effort that emphasizes how the band has no interest in resting on its laurels or cashing in only on its hits. When Gowan sings the lyric, “Grab the wheel and place your bets on me” on “She Knows,” it’s best to take heed as everyone will win in the end.

~ Ira Kantor

[ChicagoSTYX]

https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/styx-circling-from-above-1236024679/


How Literal ‘Space Junk’ Inspired New Music From Styx
The classic rock band returns with Circling From Above.

Styx
The band that sings about having too much time on its hands has been using it wisely in recent years. Circling From Above, out Friday (July 18), is Styx‘s 18th studio album and third in seven
What’s driving the group’s output? “Well, we’re always writing,” singer-guitarist Tommy Shaw, Styx’s most prolific composer (alongside former member Dennis DeYoung), tells Billboard during the group’s current Brotherhood of Rock Tour with the Kevin Cronin Band and former Eagles guitarist Don Felder. There’s also a strong partnership with Will Evankovich, who produced 2017’s The Mission, 2021’s Crash of the Crown and this year’s Circling From Above (he became a full-fledged member of the band in 2021).
“Will and I live close to each other (in Nashville),” Shaw continues, “so we get together a lot and co-write things. But the other guys are great co-writers, too; we’ll get together at my house or at Will’s studio and we’ll start cobbling these pieces together…. Somehow, luckily, we’ve always been able to bring these songs and pieces together and tell a story, and that’s the best thing.”
The California-born Evankovich, who first worked with Shaw on his mid-90s Shaw Blades project with Night Ranger’s Jack Blades, adds that all of the Styx albums he’s been involved with “basically happen organically. There’s stuff Tommy and I were writing at first, and then involving Lawrence (Gowan, singer/keyboardist), they just took off on its own. It wasn’t premeditated. Tommy’s always writing; he’s a very creative guy, and I think finding a new writing partner galvanized his interest. But we do it because we want to do it, not because of how many records we’re gonna sell.”
While there were certainly thematic threads within The Mission and Crash of the Crown, both Shaw and Evankovich are quick to downplay any notions of Circling From Above as a concept album. “No, we’re not trying to make a concept album,” Shaw explains. “We’re just trying to stay on the same track. That’s what interests us, to make it interesting to the person listening to it and tying it all together like that. I think that’s fun.”
Circling From Above does start from a specific idea, however. Shaw — whose avid interest in birds helped put a European starling on the album cover — says the Pink Floyd-esque title track, which slides into the equally proggy first single “Build and Destroy,” was inspired by a continuing interest in outer space. “There’s an app I discovered a while back where you can look up and see all the space junk,” he says. “It blew my mind that all this stuff is floating around up there. Every piece of equipment that’s up there, that’s basically junk, is owned by a country and that country knows where it is and is responsible for it. It’s organized chaos, but it’s a junkyard up there. As we discussed it in the studio we were getting ready to write songs, and that influenced some of the lyrics and ideas kept popping off and we had those two songs that go together.”
Evankovich says the other 11 tracks on Circling From Above are not as interdependent. “Pretty much after that (the album) is its own animal,” he explains. “It becomes like a Beatles’ Rubber Soul, where every song’s a little different.” But, as producer, he sought to create a sonic unity in applying elements of what can be considered classic Styx, helping the band sound more like its rock radio-dominating ‘70s and ‘80s era than it had for a number of years.
“The recipe has always been big harmonies, these car horn-stacked vocals, and the great synthesizers and guitars, and we still adhere pretty much to that recipe,” Evankovich says of the band, which has placed 23 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 (including eight top 10s and one No. 1) over the course of its career. “None of it is premeditated; it just kind of falls into the Styx universe by virtue of the fact you have James Young and Chuck Panozzo (co-founders) and Tommy Shaw in addition to the new guard, which is Gowan, Todd Sucherman (drums) Terry (Gowan, bass) and myself.
“When they took that hiatus from Cyclorama, the record industry was in a state of flux and things were a little confusing about selling new music, especially if you’re a vintage band. So these (recent albums) have kind of merged the two; we’re at an age now where the attention span is pretty quick, so we try to compact all the greatness that we can into three- or four-minute songs rather than do those longer, stretched-out songs — which I love, by the way. But this is the mantra now.”
Shaw and Evankovich say Circling From Above is definitely a full-band project — even more than Crash of the Crown, which was conceived and finished during Covid. “When JY plays, you know who it is,” Shaw notes. “Will knows JY (James Young) very well and he knows JY’s style of playing and the types of things that we depend on JY to put into a song, because they’re signature things.” Young makes his mark in particular on the fluid solo for the bouncy, theatrical “King of Love.”
“What’s great is we’re always thinking of each other,” Evankovich says. “We have in our minds that, ‘This is gonna be a great JY guitar solo, this is definitely his vibe,’ or ‘This is a great Tommy spot.’ The song will tell you who we should we feature, and we all want to lift each other up.” Terry Gowan, who had been playing with his brother before being tapped to replace Ricky Phillips after his departure in 2024, added upright bass to the mix on “Blue Eyed Raven” (with Shaw on mandolin) while Panozzo played on the short interlude track “Ease Your Mind.”
With Styx playing 1977’s triple-platinum The Grand Illusion in its entirety this summer, the group has only been able to work “Build and Destroy” into its live set to date. But it’s looking forward to adding more of the Circling From Above songs into dates later this year, including the Rockin’ in Paradise Cruise during October. “We’ll definitely get to that as soon as August is over,” Evankovich says. “People come to see the great catalog of music the band has, but I think by September we’ll probably work a few new ones in there, probably two or three once we’ve cycled the Grand Illusion album.”
While Circling From Above is just out, the idea of another album is not far from the Styx members’ minds. “It’ll just take an amassing of songs, like it did for The Mission and for Crash of the Crown and for this album,” Evankovich says. “Once there’s three or four and we’ve got a thread going, then we start. It takes a few years because we’re playing 100 shows a year and away from home about 170 days out of the year, so finding the time is always challenging. But it always seems to happen, and I’m confident it probably will again.”

[ChicagoSTYX]

New video review 7/19/25

https://youtu.be/HUTDTjAjel0?si=qgYtT1CU_wa_6sjB

[ChicagoSTYX]

https://kevy-metal.com/2025/07/20/album-of-the-week-29-2025-styx-circling-from-above/#:~:text=As%20it%20stands%2C%20though%2C%20',all%20sharing%20a%20common%20goal.


Album of the Week 29-2025: Styx – Circling from Above

Enjoying Styx is apparently frowned upon by many American rock aficionados. Fortunately, I am European, and I don’t give a damn. In fact, the band deserves a fair amount of respect in my book for not just being a nostalgia-driven legacy act as they could have done – and as so many of their peers are doing. They appeared to go that way for a while, but ‘Circling from Above’ is Styx’ third studio album since 2017, and like the two albums before it, it shows the band aging gracefully instead of desperately holding on to the sound that made them a household name.
To be fair, all the elements that people will associate with Styx are present on ‘Circling from Above’. Exploring all the possibilities that having three lead singers and multiple layers of backing vocals offers is an important part of the Styx sound, the way the guitars and the keyboards interact is not too dissimilar from their biggest successes, and the band clearly knows how to write a good chorus. Overall though, ‘Circling from Above’ sounds a lot less slick and bombastic than the band used to sound. Like on 2021’s ‘Clash of the Crown’, Styx carves a nice, classy progressive pop niche for themselves here.
Stylistically, ‘Circling from Above’ sounds reasonably similar to ‘Clash of the Crown’, though I do think the songs sound more finished this time around. The songs are similarly brief – none of them exceeding the four-minute mark – but those on ‘Clash of the Crown’ had a tendency to end rather abruptly. That may have been an artistic choice, but to my ears, the songs on ‘Circling from Above’ unfold and wrap up in a much more natural way. While it would have been nice to have one or two more epic tracks on here, Styx anno 2025 is very clearly not about musical excess.
My favorite song is the absolutely gorgeous ‘Michigan’, which is probably the most modern-sounding track here. Despite its fairly subdued nature, it has a distinct alternative rock vibe that I suspect producer-turned-guitarist Will Evankovich is responsible for. Other highlights include the spritely folkrocker ‘Blue Eyed Raven’, the elegant proggy poprocker ‘It’s Clear’, the theatrical builder ‘The Things That You Said’, and the latter-day Beatles-esque ‘She Knows’. Also, for an AOR-adjacent band, I have always found Styx’ post-‘The Grand Illusion‘ ballads to be relatively weak, which is why the beautifully arranged, George Harrison-ish ‘Forgive’ took me by complete surprise.
Despite liking the song, I’m not entirely sure if ‘Build and Destroy’ was the best choice for the album’s first single. It gives the impression that the album is a bit more proggy – in a transitional-era Genesis sort of way – than it actually is. Maybe the fun rootsrocker ‘We Lost the Wheel Again’ would have been a better choice. As it stands, though, ‘Circling from Above’ is an excellent, carefully crafted progressive pop/rock album that is better than one would reasonably expect Styx to be at this point in their career. But that’s what you get with multiple good singers and songwriters all sharing a common goal.

[ChicagoSTYX]

https://jasonhifi.com/styx-circling-from-above-rock-rebellion-review/


Alright. I’m going to cut straight to the chase here. This is not your average rodeo. This is Styx we are talking about, the legendary rock group, dropping an album in the blistering summer of 2025. The title? ‘Circling From Above’. And oh boy, it’s an auditory rebellion, a real shake-up of your run-of-the-mill rock.
What it is – it’s a bold step towards rock relevance, a daring exploration of human ambition married with that distinct raw energy that only a band like Styx can bring to the table.
Composed amidst a sudden wave of renewed love for progressive rock, this album is something of a sonic spearhead. It’s testament to the band’s unwavering pursuit of sound depth – a testament that’s been decades in the making.
Breaking down the sound, it’s an intricately woven work of diverse elements. Thanks to producer Will Evankovich, the tracks feature classic, unmistakable Styx progressive kernels amplified by clean, modern production. The result? A sound that’s both lofty and grounded, a blend of synths and guitars that come together to create a lush, layered soundscape that’s as intricate as it is ear-blasting.
Now, don’t expect a predictable progression here. Each track serves as a checkpoint in a narrative journey. Dive deep into the assertive drum hits in ‘Eclipse’. Or let your mind soar with the surreal harmonics in ‘Lift Off’. Not just songs, no – they’re chapters in an anthology of ascension and legacy.
And the lyrics of this album, oh, they take on the beast. They grapple with the duality of technology and nature, voicing both a caution and celebration of human achievement and its possible fallout.
So, who is this for? The answer – For everyone who craves a profound narrative in their music. For those music lovers with discerning ears who can appreciate the crossroads of mature wisdom and contemporary spirit. This is not for your everyday, passive listener. This is not for the shallow streamer.
‘Circling From Above’ expects and rewards attentive listening. It’s a wide-awake experience that prompts you to tap into more than just your ears. It’s a rocking reminder of why albums like these matter in a music scene often littered with disposable sounds.
Give it a spin. Don’t just feel the beat, tune into the narrative, dive into the depth, and let’s get this Styx party started.
Details:
Artist: Styx
Album: ‘Circling From Above’
Released: July 18, 2025
Label: Universal Music Enterprises
Reviewed on: July 20, 2025
Reviewed by: Jason Straughan

[ChicagoSTYX]

STYX ~ Circling From Above - Review

Lawrence Gowan and Tommy Shaw share lead vocal duties on this latest offering and it’s an unabashed anthemic rock romp. Nothing new under the sun, admittedly, yet at the same time feelgood and with a nice polish to the whole package – as one might expect from seasoned pros. It’s upbeat all the way, even when tackling more serious subjects – like what the hell we are doing to ourselves and our planet. They are all such hugely experienced artists, masters of their craft, and it translates into the music. The songs are in much the same vein as previous releases, or what you might expect from Styx, so at this stage, when most have departed from the straight ahead no b/s sound, there’s a retro vibe which is not at all unpleasant, IMHO. In fact, I’m drawing parallels with Queen, to my surprise! Neither Gowan nor Shaw have anything remotely resembling Freddie’s stellar vocal ability, but just have a little listen to the harmonies, guitar and piano, and the general style and tone and tell me I’m wrong! The plethora of now ‘vintage’ instruments no doubt has a large role to play as well! Our two lead vocalists have different timbres and modes of delivery, and they complement one another well, I believe. Overall, a happy, uncomplicated listen for me - and really – what more could one ask for!? I like it.

The murmuration is pretty cool too, although we know that AI is probably responsible for that, along with their video for “Build & Destroy” – they’re tackling that subject too, which is honest, at least. Their personnel lineup has changed somewhat over the decades but a few of the original or near original members still show up.

Styx nowadays is:

Tommy Shaw – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, vocals
James Young – electric guitar, vocals
Chuck Panozzo – bass guitar
Todd Sucherman – drums, percussion
Lawrence Gowan – piano, B3 organ, synthesizers, Mellotron, harmonium, vocals
Will Evankovich – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, harmonica, synthesizers, soundscapes, vocals, production, engineering (all tracks); string arrangements (tracks 6, 8, 9, 11)
Terry Gowan – bass guitar, upright bass

There are additional contributors on this album as well and they are (excluding the production team):

Mark Petrocelli – drum technician
Stevie Blacke – strings, string arrangements (6, 8, 9, 11)
Jeff Coffin – clarinet solo (9)
Aubrey Haynie – fiddle solo (8)

[ChicagoSTYX]

Video review 7/22/25

https://youtu.be/G_sZaXvecmU?si=hrhezzPhZzQzrpZD

[ChicagoSTYX]

A video from the band opening the box/coin set.
https://youtu.be/CuS3m06IJlQ?si=1CAPpj78fM3IcbGj

[ChicagoSTYX]

This is a fun short review.

https://youtube.com/shorts/gqJk0r7xrUE?si=1UsMHa82Q9LMXtUk

[ChicagoSTYX]

Video review 7/25/25

https://youtu.be/JRMOLAkZ6WU?si=Nur5Hhuv6eX4U7zy