Muse – The Wow! Signal (June 26th, 2026)
It’s been 20 years since Muse released their masterpiece, Black Holes and Revelations. Since then, while the band’s popularity has arguably grown exponentially, musically they have left behind much of what longtime fans of ‘Black Holes…,’ and ‘Absolution’ loved so much. Fortunately, it seems the band has decided to revisit some of that sound on their 10th studio album, aptly titled The Wow! Signal. From the stunning opening track, “The Dark Forest,” it’s clear the band has come to make a statement. The sweeping orchestration, layered harmonies, and musical bombast recall the grandeur of tracks like “Knights of Cydonia” and “Take a Bow.” “Nightshift Superstar” is a catchy, immediate pop track, while “Shimmering Scars” is a sophisticated and captivating ballad. There’s a slight misstep later in the album with “Hush,” featuring pop singer Ellie Goulding, but overall, The Wow! Signal finds Muse sounding like themselves again and reconnecting with many of the qualities that made those earlier albums so compelling.
Order here: https://usstore.muse.mu/collections/the-wow-signal
1. The Dark Forest (5:16)
2. Nightshift Superstar (4:07)
3. Shimmering Scars (4:28)
4. Cryogen (5:02)
5. Be with You (3:35)
6. Hexagons (5:27)
7. The Sickness in You & I (4:17)
8. Unravelling (3:58)
9. Hush (3:56)
10. Space Debris (5:23)
Total Time 45:29
Matt Bellamy / vocals, guitar, keyboards, piano
Chris Wolstenholme / bass, backing vocals
Dominic Howard / drums & percussion
Eric Gillette – The Watcher (July 31st, 2026)
Those familiar with Eric Gillette know there are few musicians anywhere who possess such a wide range of talent, from playing guitar, keyboards, and drums at an elite level, while also being an exceptional singer. He has showcased those abilities in bands like NMB and Temic, and now his new solo album, The Watcher, fully captures it all. When listening to it, it is hard to comprehend that the entire record was created by one person, but that’s exactly the case. Of course, the musicianship is only part of the story; the songs themselves are equally strong. There are hints of his work with Neal Morse and Mike Portnoy, along with elements that recall Toto and Dream Theater. The 10-minute “Overture” opens the album with sweeping orchestration, dazzling solos, and plenty of musical fireworks. From there, tracks like “Signal Within” and “Beneath the Mask” showcase the record’s diversity and Gillette’s impressive chops. But it’s the closing stretch of “The One That Sees It All Alive” and “Fade to Stillness” where The Watcher truly reaches its peak, bringing the album to a powerful and memorable conclusion. Any fan of his previous work will certainly enjoy this one.
Order here: https://www.ericgillettemusic.com/
1. Part I: The Sleeper (15:06)
I. Overture
II. The Stillness
2. Part II: The Watcher (14:22)
III. Signal Within
IV. Beneath the Mask
V. The Watcher Remains
3. Part III: The Vessel (8:59)
VI. The Light Beneath It All
VII. Torn and Tried
4. Part IV: The Reflection (11:24)
VIII. Shifting Light
IX. The One That Sees It All Alive
X. Fade to Stillness
Total Time 49:51
Eric Gillette / everything
OK Goodnight – stop/go (June 12th, 2026)
Formed at Berklee College of Music in 2019, Boston-based Ok Goodnight have quickly emerged as one of the more exciting young bands in modern progressive rock, combining precise musicianship with alternative songwriting. The band returns with their third studio album, stop/go, the follow-up to 2023’s acclaimed The Fox and The Bird. With stop/go. Ok Goodnight take their sound in a darker and more expansive direction while retaining the strong melodies, intricate playing, and dynamic songwriting that have defined their music to this point. The opening one-two punch of “No Sound” and “22” is aggressive yet accessible, balancing intricate playing with emotive vocals, delivered brilliantly by singer Casey Lee Williams. Meanwhile, the single “Spiral” has an infectious quality that feels like it could compete with anything on alternative radio. The album closes with the delicate and captivating “Where I’m From,” leaving the listener wanting more. stop/go is the kind of album that reveals more with each listen, further establishing Ok Goodnight as one of the most compelling young bands in modern progressive music.
Order here: https://okgoodnight.bandcamp.com/album/stop-go
1. No Sound (4:29)
2. 22 (5:14)
3. Top of the Bottom (4:54)
4. The Game (5:34)
5. Spiral (5:47)
6. Call Me Away (2:17)
7. The Show (4:59)
8. Humpty Dumpty (“Some Body!”) (4:42)
9. The People (4:20)
10. Where I’m From (5:08)
Total Time 47:24
Casey Lee Williams / Lyrics, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, SFX
Martín de Lima / Keyboards, Guitars, Orchestrations, Backing Vocals, SFX
Augusto Bussio / Drums, Guitars, Backing Vocals, SFX
Peter de Reyna / Bass, Backing Vocals, SFX
With
Eve / Guitar solo (3)
Ella Wilhelmina / Saxophones (5), soprano sax (4), clarinet (4), flute (4)
Rodolfo Moreno / Saxophones (8)
Fractal Sun – Divergent Paradox (July 31st, 2026)
Costa Rican progressive metal band Fractal Sun blend modern metal, symphonic elements, and a futuristic, space-themed aesthetic into their distinctive sound. The band released their debut album, Turmoil, in 2020, earning attention both at home and internationally for its ambitious songwriting and cohesive vision. Since then, they have continued to release new music while building a reputation for energetic and immersive live performances. Their latest release, Divergent Paradox, is a six-song barrage of powerful progressive metal, driven by heavy riffs, dramatic arrangements, and impressive musicianship. At the forefront is vocalist Hellen Quirós, whose commanding performance and remarkable range give the music much of its personality. Opener “Trail of Hope” immediately showcases both her abilities and the strength of the band, while “Trail of Pain” shifts into more aggressive territory with the addition of growled vocals. If you haven’t been aware of this band, here is a good place to start.
Order here: https://fractalsun.bandcamp.com/album/divergent-paradox-2
1.Trail of Hope 05:55
2.Trail of Pain 04:51
3.Blooming Regrets 06:58
4.Withering Grace 05:04
5.Weaving the Universe 08:38
6.Bow Before Me 11:16
Hellen Quirós / vocals
Isabel Viquez / guitars
Johnny Viquez / guitars
Santiago Mejía / bass
Sunfyre / drums
With:
Chaney Crabb / vocals (6)
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