Published: April 10, 2026 · 9:49 AM EDT
The progressive rock pioneers return with a new full-length release featuring Roger Dean artwork, immersive audio formats, and a continuation of their evolving legacy
YES have announced their 24th studio album, “Aurora”, scheduled for release on June 12, 2026 via InsideOutMusic / Sony Music, marking another chapter in the band’s extensive and evolving discography.
Alongside the announcement, the band have introduced the title track, accompanied by an animated video created by Matt Hutchings, known for his work with artists such as Greg Lake, Oasis, and Iron Maiden.
The current lineup features Steve Howe, Geoff Downes, Jon Davison, Billy Sherwood, and Jay Schellen, continuing a legacy that spans multiple generations of progressive rock.
Reflecting on the creation of the album, guitarist Steve Howe explained:
“Making this record was joyful… we’re not trying to echo the past; we’re carrying the spirit of Yes forward.”
Work on “Aurora” began shortly after the band’s “Classic Tales of Yes” tour concluded in 2024, evolving through a more flexible and modern recording approach.
Rather than working in a single location, the album was developed across home studios, with ideas exchanged and refined collaboratively. Howe, acting as producer, played a central role in shaping the final direction, alongside longtime keyboardist Geoff Downes.
The title “Aurora” emerged early in the process, carrying a sense of light, scale, and emergence, which resonated both musically and visually. The concept also inspired the album’s artwork, created by Roger Dean and Freya Dean, continuing a visual tradition deeply tied to the band’s identity.
The band’s legacy across different eras has been explored in Rockum’s feature on “Going for the One” (1977), which marked a key moment in restoring the group’s classic chemistry and artistic direction.
More recently, YES have continued to revisit their catalog on stage, as covered in Rockum’s report on The Fragile Tour 2025, reinforcing their connection to one of progressive rock’s most influential albums.
TRACKLIST — “AURORA”
Aurora — 07:27
Turnaround Situation — 05:50
Love Lies Dreaming — 06:24
Countermovement — 13:48
Ariadne — 06:18
All Hands on Deck — 03:04
Outside the Box — 04:20
Emotional Intelligence — 03:30
Jambustin’ — 04:24 (Bonus Track)
Watching the River Roll — 04:42 (Bonus Track)
FORMATS
“Aurora” will be available in multiple formats, including:
Limited Deluxe 180g Light Green 2LP + 2CD + Blu-ray Artbook
Limited Deluxe 2CD + Blu-ray Artbook
Gatefold 180g 2LP with booklet
Special Edition CD Digipak
Digital formats
The Blu-ray edition includes Dolby Atmos, 5.1 Surround Sound, and 24-bit stereo mixes, mixed by Curtis Schwartz, along with a full disc of instrumental versions.
LINEUP
Steve Howe
Geoff Downes
Jon Davison
Billy Sherwood
Jay Schellen
With “Aurora”, YES extend a catalog that dates back to the late 1960s, maintaining their role as one of the defining forces in progressive rock. Across decades, the band have balanced reinvention with continuity, adapting their creative process while preserving the core identity that shaped albums such as “Fragile” and “Close to the Edge”.
As YES move forward with “Aurora”, their 24th studio release stands as both a continuation of their legacy and a reflection of their ongoing creative evolution, bridging past and present through a sound that remains rooted in exploration.
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
Watch “Aurora” below:
