That a fresh album from YES – a follow-up to the ensemble’s quite impressive “Mirror To The Sky” from 2023 – would be called “Aurora” has been known for some time. Now, however, it’s confirmed by the appearance on the Internet of the record’s cover artwork and various pack-shots, which also give a hint at what the platter’s tracks are.
Whether it’s wise to issue the album so soon after the box set of “Tales From Topographic Oceans” was out is one thing, yet the title of “Aurora” may seem a bit confusing too, given Geoff Downes is part of the band and ASIA used the same word for their 1986 EP, on which Steve Howe also played. Still, there’s a piece called “Aurora” that opens the record, so a logic is solid. As is the presentation – in a single-CD version with bonus cuts, a double-LP variant, and a deluxe edition with two more digital discs, one of those corralling instrumental versions of all the tracks and other surround-sound mixes. The street date of it all is June 12th, the principal tracklist looks to run like this:
Aurora
1. Aurora
2. Turnaround Situation
3. Love Lies Dreaming
4. Countermovement:
* Two
* Anytime Soon
* Blink Of An Eye
* Freedom’s Edge
5. Ariadne
6. All Hands On Deck
7. Outside The Box:
* Light
* Outbox
8. Emotional Intelligence
bonus tracks:
9. Jambustin’
10. Watching The River Roll
