Chicago prog rockers District 97 have announced that they will release their brand new studio album Stay For The Ending through Spirit Of Unicorn Records on October 20th, 2023.

The album is the follow-up to 2019’s Screens and has been recorded, mixed and mastered by Noam Wallenberg, who has worked with Alan Parsons.

“After 15 years of leading District 97 I’m thrilled that we continue to push ourselves to new heights in every realm of music making,” says drummer Jonathan Schang of the new album. “This is the strongest collection of songs we’ve ever assembled.”

“This record presents us at our most collaborative and dynamic,” adds singer Leslie Hunt. “We tried some new things and chased different aesthetics than we have in the past and I think the result is our best sounding album to date with some of our strongest compositions.”

Stay For The Ending has also impressed prog royalty, with former Yes and King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford stating, “Quality, expertise and passion - Stay For The Ending is a massive piece, of which District 97 should feel justly proud.”

1. Stay for the Ending (4:39)
2. Mirror (8:28)
3. Many New Things (5:29)
4. Crossover (5:22)
5. Divided We Fall (4:53)
6. Life Cycle (6:43)
7. X (1:13)
8. X-Faded (4:21)
9. Deck is Stacked (7:18)
10. The Watcher (9:23)

This mesmerizing new album opens on the emotive strength of the titular Stay for the Ending and the impassioned Mirror and then brings us the beautiful ballad Many New Things, the synth and bass funk of Crossover, and then we get brought forth the rocker Divided We Fall.

The recording continues onward with the ornately serene Life Cycle and the bass-led heartbeat that is felt within the short, but notably sweet X, which itself bleeds into the more strident X-Faded, the album rounding out on the old fashioned headbanger Deck is Stacked, closing on the forthright prog rock magnificence of The Watcher.

Musicians:
Leslie Hunt-Vocals
Andrew Lawrence-Keyboards
Jim Tashjian-Guitars, Vocals
Tim Seisser-Bass Guitar
Jonathan Schang-Drums & Percussion

Official Purchase Link