STEVEN WILSON’s eighth studio album, ‘The Overview’, is his most daring work to date. The 42-minute album consists of just two tracks: ‘Objects Outlive Us’ and ‘The Overview’, both inspired by the overview effect - a cognitive shift astronauts experience when looking back at Earth from space.With ‘The Overview’, STEVEN WILSON returns to expansive, progressive music, a genre he has redefined and popularized through both his solo work and his releases with PORCUPINE TREE. The two highly ambitious tracks feature distinctive musical sections that flow seamlessly into one another, forming unique and continuous compositions. Wilson’s 21st-century progressive music updates the classic “prog” sound palette by incorporating elements of shimmering Electronics, Post-Rock, and beyond, placing the genre at the very heart of today’s music landscape.
Wilson describes ‘The Overview’ as “a 42-minute journey based on the reported ‘overview effect,’ where astronauts viewing Earth from space experience a transformative cognitive shift - often feeling an overwhelming sense of appreciation, beauty, and a heightened connection to humanity and the planet as a whole. However, not all experiences are positive; some see Earth for what it truly is - insignificant and lost in the vastness of space, with humanity as a problematic species. Reflecting this duality, the album presents images and stories of life on Earth, both good and bad.”
Originally conceived as a solo recording, the final version of ‘The Overview’ includes studio contributions from longtime collaborators Craig Blundell (drums), Adam Holzman (keyboards), and Randy McStine (guitar), along with lyrics by Andy Partridge of XTC, which help shape the narrative driving ‘Objects Outlive Us’.
The resulting album has a distinctly unique sound and vision, incorporating elements from different periods of Wilson’s 30-year career. It features references to classic PORCUPINE TREE albums, the storytelling approach of ‘The Raven That Refused To Sing’, the forward-thinking electronics of ‘The Future Bites’, and the spatial audio vision of ‘The Harmony Codex’ from 2023. Staying true to Wilson’s reputation as a modern producer par excellence, ‘The Overview’ is also a genuine audiophile experience. To that end, spatial / Atmos audio versions of the album will be available both physically and digitally, while vinyl editions have been especially half-speed mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios.
Accompanying ‘The Overview’ is a full-length film directed by Miles Skarin, a regular collaborator of Wilson. ‘The Overview’ is instantly recognizable as a STEVEN WILSON creation and is set to be one of the most distinctive releases of 2025. Headphones and an open mind are recommended. Following the release of ‘The Overview’, STEVEN WILSON will embark on an extensive European tour in May and June 2025.
Artist: Steven Wilson
Release: The Overview (Album)
Release Date: March 14, 2025
Label: Fiction Records / Virgin Music
Live Dates
May 6, 2025 – Düsseldorf, Mitsubishi Electric Halle
May 30, 2025 – Stuttgart, Porsche Arena
May 31, 2025 – Munich, Zenith
June 2, 2025 – Berlin, Friedrichspalast
June 3, 2025 – Hamburg, Sporthalle
More Information: Website: https://stevenwilsonhq.com / https://www.instagram.com/stevenwilsonhq
Source: Press Release
