Review RICK WAKEMAN “Return to the Red Planet”

Rick Wakeman is one of the key figures in progressive rock, a genre he helped shape during his years with Yes. Whether working with keyboards, synthesizers, or a combination of both, the master of the keys has always had plenty of room for projects outside the band. His extensive solo career has consistently revealed a restless creative mind that refuses to stand still.

One of Wakeman’s solo albums of the 2020s was The Red Planet. Now, he returns to Mars with Return to The Red Planet, a musical sequel of sorts. As the title suggests, the red planet is once again the central theme. Wakeman spent considerable time studying Mars before beginning to compose the material, drawing inspiration from what he discovered. The result is a nine-track album that takes the listener on another journey into the Martian landscape.

Wakeman has a knack for combining carefully developed melodies with layers of detail without sacrificing accessibility. It doesn’t take long for tracks like the triumphant “Noctis Labyrinthus” to reveal their full range. Built around a steady, pulsing rhythm, the piece gradually opens up into a rich sonic landscape. This is space rock with plenty of atmosphere and musical ambition, delivered with Wakeman’s unmistakable sense of composition.

Focusing on just one track, however, hardly does the album justice. There are simply too many ideas packed into these new compositions.

Take the elegant “Witch Hazel Hill,” where Wakeman allows his playing to take center stage. The track balances intricate keyboard work with a strong melodic sense, giving it a character all its own.

“Bowie’s Vision” deserves special attention as well. The track is Wakeman’s personal tribute to David Bowie, with whom he shares a long musical history. It’s a heartfelt piece, elevated by the expressive vocals of Mollie Marriott, whose performance adds another dimension to the song.

“Medusae Fossae” provides another strong moment toward the end of the album, before “The Epochs of Mars” brings the record to a pulsating conclusion. It’s a fitting finale and another reminder of the imagination and musical craftsmanship that have defined Wakeman’s work for decades.

Several elements make Return to The Red Planet work. At the center is Rick Wakeman himself and the musical vision that provides the album with its foundation. Around that is a seemingly endless stream of ideas, brought to life through the skill of a musician who knows exactly how to turn those ideas into fully realized compositions.

In an increasingly hectic and chaotic world, Return to The Red Planet feels like a place to slow down. It’s an album that rewards sitting back, putting distractions aside, and simply letting the music unfold.