"Mirror to the Sky" is a song by the British progressive rock band Yes, the track was first released on the band's 23rd studio album Mirror to the Sky, released in May 2023.Album Review: Yes, ‘Mirror to the Sky’. Progarchy. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 11 December 0223. It is a near-14-minute recording, described as "sweeping and cinematic".YES launch ‘All Connected’; second single from ‘Mirror To The Sky’. Yes. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
Composition "Mirror to the Sky" refers to tikkun olam and anima mundi in its lyrics.Yes - Mirror to the Sky Lyrics. Genius. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2024. It also features orchestral passages composed by Paul K Joyce.Yes – Mirror To The Sky: "the best Yes album in more than 20 years". Louder. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
The track's near-14-minute length has been described as a representation of Yes' return to their trademark progressive rock format.REVIEW: Yes – Mirror to the Sky. Tuonela Magazine. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023. It has also been identified as the centerpiece to the Mirror to the Sky album.Yes - Mirror to the Sky (Album review). Sonic Perspectives. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023. The song's arpeggios and multilayered vocals have been likened to material from the band's Tales from Topographic Oceans record.Album Review: Yes – Mirror to the Sky. The Elite Extremophile. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023. A seven-minute single edit was released on 23 February 2024.Yes - Mirror To The Sky (Edit) Lyric Video. YouTube. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
Reception It was described as a "prog epic" by music writer Howard Whitman.Yes' 'Mirror to the Sky' album is the best yet of the Jon Davison-era. Goldmine. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023. Writer David Pearson described the song as "atmospheric and sonically superb".CD REVIEW – YES – MIRROR TO THE SKY. The Spirit of Progressive Rock. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023. Wesley Derbyshire noted that guitarist Steve Howe's use of delays and reverb was "extremely evident", and potentially designed for the Dolby Atmos and 5.1 Surround Sound release.Yes - Mirror to the Sky - Atmos / 5.1 Blu-ray immersive review. Hi-Res Edition. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023. Hugh Fielder of Classic Rock enjoyed the track, stating how guitarist Steve Howe has "clearly been energised and has grown in confidence", allowing the track to spread over 14 minutes after some "fine introductory guitar" and "skedaddling bass runs by Sherwood".
Personnel Yes Jon Davison – co-lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitars [Martin MC28, Taylor 714] Steve Howe – guitars [Fender steel, Fender Telecaster, Martin MC28 and 12 String], co-lead and backing vocals Geoff Downes – synthesizers, piano Billy Sherwood – bass guitar, vocals Jay Schellen – drums and percussion
Additional musicians FAMES Studio Orchestra Oleg Kondratenko – conductor Paul K. Joyce - orchestral arrangements
Production Steve Howe – producer Curtis Schwartz – engineering, mixing
References