On Nov. 6, Asia will release a new studio album, “Indigo,” via Frontiers. New single and official video, “The Traveller (Into The Light),” is available below. The Eighties AOR band, best known for the worldwide hit "Heat of the Moment" now has a new lineup, with co-founding member/keyboardist Geoff Downes leading the way.
Downes - joined by drummer Virgil Donati, guitarist John Mitchell, and vocalist/bassist Harry Whitley - commented in a press release:
“The first track off the album is a high power energy piece, with a few elements of prog trickery but retaining the accessible chorus block, which was always a signature of Asia’s music from the very beginning. Harry and I started working on this as one of the early ideas that seemed to come together very organically. Virgil’s dynamic and innovative drums parts drive the piece along, while John’s soaring guitars keep the momentum. Harry’s vocals are commanding and my keyboard parts hold the wall of sound together. It’s a song of great optimism, mainly about looking forward to the future and travelling ‘into the light’. Play it loud!”
Watch the official video for “The Traveller (Into The Light)”
HERE
Downes added on the genesis of the album:
“The initial writing period began in 2015, following the release of our previous album “Gravitas” in 2014. [Former singer] John Wetton and I started putting our ideas together, aiming to get into the studio once more. It was with great sadness that John became seriously ill, during this time, and we had put on hold our plans, and sadly John passed away before we could continue and complete it. So, it was always in my mind that at some point it would be a shame not to finish off some of these songs and finally release them as part of an Asia album.
"In 2023, when the tribute concert for John took place, I was so encouraged by the response to Asia’s music that I viewed this as the perfect opportunity to re-establish not only the band, but also to reunite with our long-time supportive label, Frontiers, paving the way for us to get back in the studio,” he continued.
Downes also said:
“So, Asia was back in the room, so to speak, and we were very fortunate to have recruited Virgil Donati and John Mitchell, both of whom had worked extensively with John before, as well as our new vocalist and bassist, Harry Whitley. The tours followed to great success throughout 2024 and 2025, and finally we sat down towards the end of last year to record the album. Working with these fine musicians was a great privilege and the music just seemed to flow.
“The album was really a joy to make. I forged a close writing relationship with Harry, and I felt how great was to be working with someone who had very similar musical influences and taste once again, just as I did with John. I feel that this is one of our best albums to date. The songs are deep in musicality, with a powerful and original performance, dynamics and strong lyrical undertones – it’s an album that hopefully our fans will widely appreciate, and support our cause to put Asia back on the map. Enjoy the ride!”
It was recorded throughout 2025 and produced by Downes and the band, with mixing and mastering handled by Mitchell.
Indigo includes some of the final compositions written by the late John Wetton - “Tattoo Indigo (Parts 2 & 3)” and “Chesapeake Bay.”
There are special guest appearances by Steve Howe (Asia, Yes), who contributes acoustic guitar to “Chesapeake Bay,” while Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) adds to the bonus track “Tattoo Indigo (Part 3)."
Track listing:
The Traveller (Into The Light)
Change Of Heart
Arcadia
Is This The Life?
Tattoo Indigo (Part 1)
Tattoo Indigo (Part 2)
Tattoo Indigo (Part 3)
Life In The Sun
Hymn For The Fallen
Night And Day
Valencia (The Ghost Ship)
An Elegy
Chesapeake Bay (Featuring Steve Howe)
On A Winters Night
Echo Of You
Tattoo Indigo (Part 3) (featuring Mike Portnoy) (Bonus Track)
George Paul
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