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Yes: ‘Mirror to the Sky’ | Review | Track by Track

Classic Album Review | December 21, 2025



A review of the brand new Yes album ‘Mirror to the Sky’ in which I lokk at the album track by track ranking them all out of ten

Buy the new album ‘Mirror to the Sky’:
https://Yes-Band.lnk.to/MirrorToTheSky
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/41KUfJU
Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/3AmRXoH
http://yesworld.com

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Written by Classic Album Review

Comments

This post currently has 40 comments.

  1. @richardfairley9882

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    Surprised at this – I think The Quest is a far superior album that sounds much more like Yes. In fact, apart from the awful last three tracks, The Quest is an excellent Yes album – this one just sounds insipid.

  2. @mrandmrsmartin

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    I like it, but I'm left with the feeling that Yes is just too long in the tooth and there are young bands out there that do it much better these days (listen to Wilderun, Omnerod, Disillusion, Avkrvst to name but a few). As I said, it's a nice album, but not awe inspiring. I first bought Close to the Edge in 1974 and was hooked, but you can't keep it going forever and whilst the younger bands unquestionably owe Yes a lot, they have overtaken their masters.

  3. @mrandmrsmartin

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    I like it, but I'm left with the feeling that Yes is just too long in the tooth and there are young bands out there that do it much better these days (listen to Wilderun, Omnerod, Disillusion, Avkrvst to name but a few). As I said, it's a nice album, but not awe inspiring. I first bought Close to the Edge in 1974 and was hooked, but you can't keep it going forever and whilst the younger bands unquestionably owe Yes a lot, they have overtaken their masters.

  5. @davidadkins4457

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    I had the misfortune of getting Circles of Time stuck in my head while supervising a 3-hour exam and trying not to look at the clock. Have to agree Cut from the Stars and the title track are stand-outs but some of the others growing on me especially Living out their Dream.

  6. @Gizathecat2

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    Living Out Their Dreams is a great song, but has no business on a Yes album! It’s like somebody had been watching too much television during the covid crisis and condensed into a bitingly sarcastic song! Maybe it could been placed at the end of the record than smack in the middle.😂😊

  7. @jamesaka007

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    Absolutely not worth reviewing, as it is neither worth the ranking of any tracks at all… The only part of this work that I found interesting is the traditional art from Rodger Dean, which is always amazing. It really is a nicely packaged disc set of music from a three legged dog band.

  9. @Skyler36

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    After the first listen, I agree with your assessment of the songs. Since then, I have listened to the album well over a dozen times & it grew on me to the point that I love all the songs. I really like this album. But I will admit, it did take more than 2 listens. Now. I just let the album play from beginning to end & I enjoy it all. It's a winner!

  11. @joer4822

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    I've been a very very big YES fan since the beginning. I've also learned a lot from them and Wakeman in my keyboard playing and song writing. I'm sorry to say that I am not into this new YES music. They are very good, but not my style of YES. I know I'll probably be trashed for saying this, but that's how I feel. I'll hold on to my old memories of them and continue to listen to all those great songs of art and remember the awesome concerts of the day's past.

  15. @Mr3Submarine

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    Well well well….who would’ve thought that this new-model Yes (fronted by Jon Davison) could come up with a great album, just like they used to make them? Even after the sad losses of Chris Squire and Alan White no less. But with Billy Sherwood and Jay Schellen now in the fold, Yes move forward. It took them three albums, but I think they finally nailed it with Mirror To The Sky. This is a great album in my opinion. Musically strong, with solid playing from everyone, great production, and I’ve even warmed up to Jon Davison (finally!) as the established new lead singer (Jon Anderson will never ever be erased, but Davison is more than up to the task of fronting this veteran band). Yes are definitely getting more adventurous with this album — the nearly 14-minute title track alone is mighty impressive, but the whole album shines. The band definitely sound inspired on Mirror To The Sky, which I love. I also have to tip my hat to Steve Howe. Not only is he still delivering superb guitar work, but I think he has now firmly established himself as the band leader. I wasn’t sure about Yes carrying on after they lost Chris Squire, but, as evidenced by Mirror To The Sky, I think that Yes is still in safe hands with Steve Howe steering the ship. Now, personally, I’m not sure I would want Yes to carry on after Steve Howe is gone, as I think he’s the last remaining bit of veteran “glue” holding the band together (I like Geoff Downes, but he wasn’t there in the 70’s like Steve was). But as long as they still have Steve Howe there, I can still accept them as Yes.

    I’m thrilled to see Yes come back with a great album. I just think this latest version of Yes needed time to gel. It took them three albums (Heaven And Earth was rushed and misguided, but The Quest was a step in the right direction), plus weathering the sad losses of two veteran members (rock on in Heaven, Chris and Alan), but with the excellent Mirror To The Sky, I think they’re finally there. I don’t know how much longer Yes will go on, but I’m glad they’re still around for now, and are once again making great music. 🙂

  16. @sal3150

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    Thank you for your great reviews! I only hope that my favorite band (Marillion) can find their way back after 3 disasterous albums, in my opinion. AHBID is extremely disappointing to me….

  18. @atlasking6110

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    I'm really digging this album. Not one skip-it track on it. Yes, I even like the quirky, 60s-psyche sound on "Living Out Their Dreams" and the gorgeous earworm "Circles of Time." Great album! I liked most of The Quest as well. Yes fan of 46 years.

  19. @1adneumann

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    Great music is timeless; J.S. Bach, John Coltrane, Bob Dylan, and yup, “Close to the Edge”… They’ll always be innovative, fresh, remembered, wanted to be heard again…..It seems like the reviews for this new YES release , as well as the past few, the operative phrases are, “There are moments”, “It’s better than the last two”, “Of the three recent albums, this is better, but that’s not saying much…” “The singer is filling in the shoes..” etc…. I suppose it’s fine to defend a band you love (I used to, big time…). But look into the future; do you suppose there will be a time where YES tours entirety the recent records, (‘The Quest”, “Fly From Hear”, “Cut From The Stars”?). Please then, wake me when that happens….. It’s all “filler now”, baby blue (sorry B.Dylan). Despite how A.I was tossed into the “lyric salad” (I suspect), It’s all quite forgettable. But I’ll wait for that tour…Oh, I didn’t even mention that Jon Anderson and his band are touring the classics…and playing them as they were meant to be heard and enjoyed….

  20. @craigherriot4026

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    Well, I've had a listen, and to be honest I won't be giving it another airing. Once was enough. It's Heaven and Earth Mk 2 isn't it? Maybe slightly more 'interesting', but still boring as hell. Geoff Downes might as well not be there for all the contribution he's making. It's obvious that he is not in the same class as Wakeman/Moraz. Jon Davison's vocal style grates on my nerves as well. Trying so hard to sound like Jon Anderson and just doesn't. They dumped Benoit for some reason, and he was a far better prospect. Be honest, if this album didn't have the Yes logo with the Dean artwork on the cover it would have disappeared into the dark recesses of the bargain bins pronto. May still do.

  21. @redx1708

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    No original members left, so I don't think I'll bother. Actually haven't bought a YES album since The Ladder. What made them exceptional back in the 70s was the amount of virtuosity from each member of the band, but ever since it has seemed to me as a rehash of old ideas. And mind you, I still think they made the best prog the world has ever heard back then. If I once in a while get an urge for YES, Fragile, CTTE, Tales and Relayer still works fine for me to this day.

  24. @ulfgredander8643

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    One of the most impressing gig's in modern days is "live at the apollo" . Stunning performance full of Joy. Check it Out!
    And I have followed the band since -72😊
    That's what Yes is all about for me// U G

  25. @clivesilver463

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    First off its not Yes only by name, how long will this band go on will my Grandson will be wondering why this band is putting out their 76th album, with this bunch of muzos, it will have a quality to it, the sound of this band has gone the cornerstones have long gone, and I know it will be a left on the self gathering human dust.

  26. @stuartraybould6433

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    Rankings applicable to this album only is a cop-out and means nothing, completely pointless. It's starting to feel like you are afraid to upset the band. After all, if you upset them, they won't come on your videos. Most folks that watch your channel aren't stupid, we realise this is what's happening.
    So your review is not biased. Therefore, not honest and truthful I feel.
    As others comment here, Yes are now, no more than an imitation and a far cry from a real Yes.
    This is very poor stuff indeed just like Tull is no longer really Tull and also very poor stuff.
    The lack of genuine reviews may mean after building your channel up, it will start to lose views, for me personally, this is the start of that process.
    Fan Boy People and bands don't like it when they hear someone tell the truth and say when a dud is a dud. So more and more reviews don't tell the truth, which is a shame.
    But inevitably the truth comes out over time. This album is yet another dud.

  28. @chrisfuller2556

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    The problem with this lineup is that there is no songwriter in the band. Steve is capable of writing amazing guitar parts, but what made YES the inspired leaders of prog was the lyrics and melodies of Jon Anderson, with the great musicians backing him. This lineup is trying to copy the Anderson style but it's just not happening. If Wakeman and Anderson return there may be a chance to rekindle the magic, but even then it's doubtful as Anderson himself hasn't produced anything comparable to his great works in at least 15 years. That there are now 3 terrible to mediocre albums staining the YES name is a shame indeed.

  30. @Luileadolfo

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    I find very dificultad to consider this band as YES. Even though the album is ok, Is not YES for me. Same as Uriah Heep and some other bands with only one or none of the original members.

  32. @davidwalsh390

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    I try to keep an open mind with these guys, whom I first fell in love with in 1986 with a cassette dub my brother gave me of Classic Yes/The Yes Album. But I've pretty much given up on them. Including ABWH, I've seen Yes live 9 times. Last time I saw them was 2012, at which point I finally accepted Benoit as their singer. Then he was out not long after that. At this point I don't think I'll bother ever seeing them live again and Yes I've given the last couple albums and the preview tracks a listen, and they do nothing for me. Unbelievably, in a week, KT Tunstall will be eclipsing Yes for the act I've seen the most time live, then will be seeing her 3 more times later as well. Her latest album is kinda tepid but she is still absolutely at her peak live.

  33. @aliensmartass4892

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    Those 2 songs alone gives me the impression this is going to be way better than Big Generator in the ranks which had Anderson. This is even with the rest of it was just blank space. So where does that put this?

  34. @onsenkuma1979

    December 21, 2025 at 11:46 pm

    Admittedly I've only heard one track from this in any detail. It seemed like Yes doing a cover of itself ca late '70s, and sounding more than a little like Starcastle. Of course Starcastle came on the scene in '76 sounding like a Yes covers band, while the members of Yes were busy promoting their various solo projects. I'm old school, so: no Anderson, no Squire, no Yes.

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