Legendary progressive rock band Yes have announced their 24th studio album Aurora, set for release on June 12, 2026 via InsideOutMusic and Sony Music.
The current lineup of Steve Howe, Geoff Downes, Jon Davison, Billy Sherwood, and Jay Schellen continues to build on the band’s legacy while pushing forward creatively.
As Howe explains, “Making this record was joyful, a chance to play, explore and give everything to the music. It has always been about collaboration. Someone can write a song, but until everyone contributes, it is not truly a Yes song. We are not trying to echo the past. We are carrying the spirit of Yes forward and turning it into something new.”
The band have also released the first single from the album, the title track Aurora, accompanied by an animated video created by Matt Hutchings, known for his work with Greg Lake, Oasis, and Iron Maiden.
Aurora will be available in multiple formats, including a limited deluxe 180g light green 2LP plus 2CD and Blu-ray artbook with poster, as well as a deluxe 2CD and Blu-ray artbook edition. Both versions feature artwork by Roger Dean and Freya Dean, along with a bonus disc of instrumentals and a Blu-ray offering Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround sound, and 24-bit stereo mixes by Curtis Schwartz. Additional formats include a gatefold 180g 2LP with booklet, special edition CD digipak, and digital album.
When the band began developing what would become Aurora, the process was open and exploratory. Early musical fragments gradually evolved into fully realized compositions. One of those early ideas, titled “Aurora,” quickly stood out. Its sense of light, emergence, and scale resonated deeply with the group.
Davison recalls how the title immediately connected with Howe and sparked visual ideas for Dean, helping shape the album’s overall direction.
Work on the album began shortly after the band’s Classic Tales of Yes tour concluded in 2024. With support from their label, the band took time to develop material organically. Rather than working in a single studio, they adopted a more flexible approach, creating ideas in home studios and refining them collaboratively. Downes and Howe often served as the central creative axis, with Howe also taking on the role of producer.
Across Aurora, each track offers its own identity. Some moments reflect the band’s classic sound, while others explore new territory. Together, they form a cohesive album that honors Yes’ legacy while continuing to move forward.
With their 24th studio release, Yes show not only longevity but a continued drive to explore, refine, and expand their creative boundaries.
Early Impressions: “Aurora”
With Aurora, Yes lean into the kind of lyrical depth that has long defined their sound. The title track reads like a meditation on inner awareness, existence, and the unseen forces that shape human life.
From the opening lines, there’s a clear spiritual tone. References to light, creation, and cycles of existence point toward something more philosophical than narrative-driven. It’s less about telling a story and more about exploring perspective and consciousness.
Lines like “Everything I seek is inside” and “Everything I long for inside myself” form the emotional core of the song. They bring the focus inward, reinforcing the idea of self-discovery, while “Despite myself” adds a subtle sense of tension and humanity.
The chorus sections expand outward again, using imagery like “astral,” “celestial,” and “incorporeal” to create that wide, atmospheric feel fans expect from Yes. It feels expansive but still grounded in the idea of perception, especially with the “mind’s eye” imagery.
There’s also a broader human element woven in. References to billions of lives and karmic cycles shift the focus from personal reflection to something more universal, tying individual experience to a larger shared existence.
Overall, “Aurora” feels reflective and layered. It balances abstract ideas with emotion in a way that longtime fans will recognize, while still feeling fresh in its outlook.
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