New Steven Wilson album The Harmony Codex out Sep. 29, first single out

[Mr. Holland]

Steven Wilson has finally announced that he will release his latest album, The Harmony Codex, through Virgin Records in September 29. You can watch a video for his brand new single Economies Of Scale below. Wilson has been busy teasing The Harmony Codex, his seventh solo album, since last November.

"My seventh album The Harmony Codex is a real trip, a beautiful and experimental 65-minute labyrinth of a record, with almost every one of its 10 tracks taking a different musical approach," he says. "I really hope you will all get to hear the album as intended - a continuous musical journey, or a piece of 'cinema for the ears'.
"Today you can listen to Economies Of Scale, a soulful song built around electronic rhythms and layered vocal harmonies. Then next week something completely different, the mostly instrumental 11-minute hybrid of progressive rock, spiritual jazz and electronica that is Impossible Tightrope. I couldn’t be prouder of this album and I think you are going to enjoy it too!"

Wilson has worked with long time studio partners such as Ninet Tayeb, Craig Blundell and Adam Holzman on the new album, alongside a host of first time collaborators including Jack Dangers of Meat Beat Manifesto and Interpol’s Sam Fogarino.

The Harmony Codex will be available as a single disc as well as a limited edition three disc deluxe hardback book-set which features Harmonic Distortion, a 77 minute reimagining of the album featuring alternate versions and remixes by Manic Street Preachers, Roland Orzabal (Tears for Fears), Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth), Interpol, Meat Beat Manifesto, Faultline, and Radiophonic Workshop.

The third disc is a deluxe-only version of the BluRay featuring high resolution 96/24 stereo, 5.1 surround, and Dolby Atmos mixes of The Harmony Codex, 2 videos, and exclusive instrumental mixes of the full 65 minute album in high res 96/24 stereo, 5.1 surround and Dolby Atmos. The 100 page Carl Glover designed hardback book features Hajo Mueller’s stunning artwork, meticulously created over an 18 month period in close collaboration with Steven during the making of the album.

Steven Wilson: The Harmony Codex
1. Inclination
2. What Life Brings
3. Economies Of Scale
4. Impossible Tightrope
5. Rock Bottom
6. Beautiful Scarecrow
7. The Harmony Codex
8. Time Is Running Out
9. Actual Brutal Facts
10. Staircase

Disc 2 - Harmonic Distortion
1. Codex Theme #7
2. Economies of Scale - Manic Street Preachers remix
3. Codex Theme #9
4. Inclination - Faultline remix
5. Impossible Tightrope - alternate version
6. Codex Theme #6 4
7. Beautiful Scarecrow - Meat Beat Manifesto Excursion 1
8. Codex Theme #8
9. Time is Running Out - Mikael Åkerfeldt version
10. Staircase - Interpol Remix
11. Codex Theme #3
12. What Life Brings - Aug 22 mix by Roland Orzabal
13. The Harmony Codex - long take
14. Staircase - Radiophonic Workshop remix

Disc 3 – The Harmony Codex BluRay
1. 5.1 Instrumentals (96/24)
2. 5.1 Mix (96/24)
3. Atmos Instrumentals (48/24)
4. Atmox Mix (48/24)
5. High Resolution Stereo (96/24)
6. Stereo Instrumentals (96/24)

[Ash Armstrong]

I'll be getting that soon as it's out, the deluxe edition.

[Frumious B]

I’m glad other songs on the record take a different approach, because this track is some pretty weak Kid D.

[Ceasar’s Palace]

Could be interesting...
But that's always what I think whenever Wilson puts something out, but then end up dissapointed. I guess respect is not that much of a basis after all.
On a side note: I'm probably too ignorant, but why does (modern) dance always look like people being thrown around?

[Drone Decipher]

I struggle with Steven Wilson although it really seems like I should love everything he does dogmatically. This song hits though. Maybe I'll get it.

[luna65]

On a side note: I'm probably too ignorant, but why does (modern) dance always look like people being thrown around?

It's more about the exploration of movement than aesthetics.

But I will say, it's a beautiful visual metaphor for the struggles with addiction.

[Mr. Holland]

"I still confront the expectations of my audience. I rarely give them what they want":

https://www.loudersound.com/news/steven-wilson-privilege-harmony-codex

[luna65]

I don't even think it's about being confrontational with him, SW just does what he wants but because he has a devoted core fanbase, he can afford to do that. Like, he doesn't even consider expectations when he creates stuff, he's only interested in what's interesting to him.

[Ceasar’s Palace]

I don't even think it's about being confrontational with him, SW just does what he wants but because he has a devoted core fanbase, he can afford to do that. Like, he doesn't even consider expectations when he creates stuff, he's only interested in what's interesting to him.

And yet his description of the new album is a little more hyped than you would expect. 'A beautiful labyrinth of a record'...

[bondegezou]

On a side note: I'm probably too ignorant, but why does (modern) dance always look like people being thrown around?

Doesn't a lot of classical dance involve people being thrown around? All those ballerinas tossed in the air...

My favourite modern dance choreographer is Jiří Kylián. Here's a piece with less throwing around of people:

Anyway, as for the Steven Wilson song... nice dancing, not particularly moved by the music.

[Ceasar’s Palace]

Doesn't a lot of classical dance involve people being thrown around? All those ballerinas tossed in the air...

My favourite modern dance choreographer is Jiří Kylián. Here's a piece with less throwing around of people:

Anyway, as for the Steven Wilson song... nice dancing, not particularly moved by the music.

What I meant is that now the dancers act like someone invisible is throwing them around...

[bondegezou]

What I meant is that now the dancers act like someone invisible is throwing them around...

Ah. I think that's about exploring unusual bodily movements that may not, at first sight, seem "natural".

[luna65]

And yet his description of the new album is a little more hyped than you would expect. 'A beautiful labyrinth of a record'...

Oh no, if you've read his book then you know Steven is his own biggest fan.

[rePete]

I usually really like SW. This is a little meh, though.

[Susanne]

I imagine this might be something I could get to like, with more listens. On the one hearing so far (without watching the video), I kept thinking that there would be more of a build-up or climax at some point. That didn't happen. But maybe that's something that won't matter so much, when I get more used to it. (Hopefully.)