For those unaware, for the new album Circling From Above, their 3rd since 2017 and their 18th studio album is a masterclass in songwriting and their timeless ability to fuse prog-rock technicality with sing a long anthems.

The 13 songs on Circling From Above were written by Tommy Shaw, Lawarence Gowan and Will Evankovich. Evankovich also produced the album. Leading with Build and Destroy, Styx take a close look at the near future and what is circling above us, from satellites to birds.

Boasting a runtime of 41 minutes, it also features contributions from all seven members of the band, including founding guitarist/vocalist James “JY” Young, guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw, original bassist Chuck Panozzo, longtime drummer Todd Sucherman, keyboardist/vocalist Lawrence Gowan, guitarist/vocalist Will Evankovich, and bassist Terry Gowan.

1. Circling From Above [2:00]
2. Build and Destroy [3:53]
3. Michigan [3:03]
4. King of Love [3:29]
5. It’s Clear [3:31]
6. Forgive [3:55]
7. Everyone Raise A Glass [3:35]
8. Blue Eyed Raven [3:54]
9. She Knows [3:35]
10. Ease Your Mind [0:48]
11. The Things That You Said [3:28]
12. We Lost the Wheel Again [2:57]
13. Only You Can Decide [3:05]

Since Styx actively ruled the late 1970s, it’s also no big surprise that some remnants of that irreplaceable era come to light here on this new album, which opens on the hauntingly effective Circling From Above and the stridently sculpted rhythmic rocker Build and Destroy and then we get the emboldened Michigan, the old school rock of King of Love, the melodic It’s Clear and the beautiful balladry of Forgive.

Along next is the upbeat and joyful Everyone Raise A Glass and the gypsy storytelling within the vibrant Blue Eyed Raven and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the straight ahead She Knows, the short but sweet Ease Your Mind and the soulful, Queen-esque rocker The Things That You Said, the set rounding out on the propellent We Lost the Wheel Again, closing on the dutiful ballad Only You Can Decide.

Last month, the band participated in a question-and-answer session aboard this year’s Rock Legends Cruise and spoke about the new music. Tommy Shaw noted that they’d recently finished the last song, ... but the hard part is done and we are fu*king thrilled. It’s, I would say, completely new but it’s not outside of, you know, what you’re used to hearing Styx do.

Styx - Build And Destroy [Official Video]