Review ASIA “Indigo”

Asia have always had a knack for combining progressive rock musicianship with melodies that actually stick. Songs like “Go” and “Only Time Will Tell” showed just how well those two worlds could work together. Their self-titled debut, followed by Alpha and Astra, practically lived on my turntable throughout the ’80s. John Wetton, Steve Howe, Geoff Downes and Carl Palmer were all major figures in British progressive rock, and with Asia they found a vehicle that has retained its reputation for decades.

Now Asia return with Indigo, and keyboardist Geoff Downes is the only remaining founding member. He has surrounded himself with John Mitchell, Harry Whitley and Virgil Donati, a lineup capable of carrying the band into another chapter without simply trying to recreate the past.

The roots of Indigo go back to 2015. Following the release of Gravitas, Downes and the late John Wetton (R.I.P) exchanged early ideas for new material. Wetton’s illness eventually put those plans on hold, but some of those unfinished pieces have now found their way onto Indigo.

“Tattoo Indigo (Parts 2 & 3)” and “Chesapeake Bay” both originate with Wetton, giving the album a direct emotional link to Asia’s earlier eras. That connection runs even deeper on “Chesapeake Bay,” where Steve Howe contributes acoustic guitar. It is a subtle but meaningful touch, bridging different chapters of the band’s history without turning the record into a nostalgia trip.

With 16 tracks, Indigo is a substantial listen. Some of its strongest moments come when Asia slow things down. “Change of Heart” leans into a more intimate, emotional side, while “Arcadia” opens things up with a broader sonic landscape. “Night and Day,” meanwhile, proves that Asia can still put together a solid rock song in 2026.

Throughout these nuanced arrangements, Harry Whitley makes a strong impression behind the microphone. He brings his own character to the material without trying to erase the vocal and melodic trademarks that have defined Asia for so long. That balance is important: this is a new lineup, but it still sounds like Asia.

What Indigo lacks, though, are a few songs that really burrow into your head and refuse to leave. The album is reflective and clearly crafted with care. There is plenty of quality here, but the really defining moments are harder to find.

Instead, Indigo works through atmosphere and emotion. Its strength lies in the quieter, more heartfelt songs and those melodic passages that gradually reveal themselves rather than demanding attention. It may not deliver the kind of instant classic that dominates the room, but there is enough depth and feeling here to make Indigo a worthwhile addition to the Asia catalog.