To Follow Polaris INSIDEOUTMUSIC
Andy Tillison goes it alone as a one-man band in a digital age.
Andy Tillison has utilised a shifting array of top prog talent as a de facto backing band over the last two decades as The Tangent. However, the practicalities of recording some of the most in-demand musicians in the prog sphere (Jonas Reingold, Luke Machin and Steve Roberts) has meant that the 13th album under The Tangent banner has moved away from what was dangerously beginning to look like a settled line-up.
To Follow Polaris is truly a solo endeavour. Everything about it, from concept to artwork, from lyrics to production, from every note played to final mix, is solely Tillison’s work. And every note is played by him in real time –no special guests, no programming and, as he’s absolutely emphatic about, no AI!
The main album is bookended by two compositions that resonate similarly, musically at least, and allow Tillison to explore a bit of jaunty prog pop and an element of hopefulness and light –both opener The North Sky and last track The Single are built on upbeat foundations that bring to mind the directness of tracks like A Spark In The Aether from previous Tangent releases. The North Sky is a high-energy celebration, which sees an extended instrumental intro, some lovely, simple yet effective backing vocals and some keyboard and guitar explorations during the lengthy, more gentle and spacious middle section as it builds back to the main hook.
The shrewdly titled A ‘Like’ In The Darkness takes things in a slightly darke
