“The Harmony Codex” – the seventh album by Steven Wilson – is a genre-spanning collection that represents the apotheosis of a life spent fully absorbed in music.
While “The Harmony Codex” nods to records from Steven Wilson’s recent past, at times echoing the paranoid rumble of 2008’s Insurgentes, the crystalline electronics of 2021’s “The Future Bites” and the expansive storytelling of 2013’s “The Raven That Refused To Sing (and Other Stories)”, here he has managed to create something entirely unique, a record that exists outside of the notion of genre. And although “The Harmony Codex” is a record made with spatial audio in mind, it’s not one that needs an elaborate sound system to lift you out of body – two speakers and an open mind will do just fine.
“This one 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. 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’. More songs from the album will follow in the weeks leading up to release, including my latest collaboration with Ninet Tayeb. But really I hope you will all get to hear the album as intended – a musical journey, or a piece of “cinema for the ears” says Wilson.
You can check out Charlie de Placido’s stunning continuous-shot video for ‘Economies of Scale’ below. Pre-order the album, for a September 29th release HERE.
“The Harmony Codex” Available as a limited edition 3 disc deluxe hardback book-set, CD, LP, Cassette, Blu-Ray, and limited exclusive coke bottle clear double vinyl and orange vinyl.
In addition to a CD of THC, the box-set includes 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.
