Steven Wilson Steven Wilson: New album 'The Overview' for early 2025

[Thonolan]

I'm very curious about this one, given that the opinions/reviews I'm reading so far seem to be extremely divisive. Thanks for another amazingly detailed review, @sjcorne!

This is one I'll stream before buying. I'm still a big SW fan, but his recent output tends to be hit and miss for me, so just like @srbjab I have no idea what to expect.

 

[sjcorne]

One thing I noticed was interesting with regards to the stereo version - on the streaming services, you get the choice of just listening to the two long tracks or to each of the separate movements that make up each side. But on these separated movements, some of the transitions seem to have been altered.

For example - "Objects: Meanwhile" immediately cuts into "The Cicerones" (when the acoustic guitar starts to fade in after the big sax blast) when you listen to the full-length side 1. But on the separated tracks, "Meanwhile" plays to a clean ending - and then the acoustic starts to fade in on the next track after a second or two of silence. Same thing on "Ark" into "Cosmic Sons of Toil" - the former plays to a clean ending, and then the swirling synth that kicks off the latter fades up from silence instead of starting immediately.

Personally I like it better as the two big chunks without fades between movements (and that seems to be your only option for listening in surround), but curious what other people think.

 

[minimumtumbleweed]

One thing I noticed was interesting with regards to the stereo version - on the streaming services, you get the choice of just listening to the two long tracks or to each of the separate movements that make up each side. But on these separated movements, some of the transitions seem to have been altered.

For example - "Objects: Meanwhile" immediately cuts into "The Cicerones" (when the acoustic guitar starts to fade in after the big sax blast) when you listen to the full-length side 1. But on the separated tracks, "Meanwhile" plays to a clean ending - and then the acoustic starts to fade in on the next track after a second or two of silence. Same thing on "Ark" into "Cosmic Sons of Toil" - the former plays to a clean ending, and then the swirling synth that kicks off the latter fades up from silence instead of starting immediately.

Personally I like it better as the two big chunks without fades between movements (and that seems to be your only option for listening in surround), but curious what other people think.

Interesting. I didn't listen to the separate tracks, but I did notice as I was listening to the longform that the times for the separate tracks didn't quite match up logically. For example, "Perspective" is 4:57 long in the separate tracks, but is only 4:42 in the long track.

 

[Thonolan]

Just gave it a first listen on Apple Music in Atmos. I never do this - it might be the first time in my life I've listened to an album for the first time in multichannel instead of stereo. But I think the sound design is so essential for modern SW music that I thought it was the right thing to do. And wow, even in lossy streaming I'm very impressed by the mix. It's basically demo Atmos material from start to finish!

Musically, I think it will be a grower, but I already found a decent number of beautiful passages. I found it pretty similar to the style of The Harmony Codex overall, but in extended song form instead of shorter tracks. Let's see how it goes after subsequent listens. But I'm already sure I'm liking it enough to buy it in physical format.

 

[SomethingAnything]

My bluray has arrived today from Rarewaves, and the signed cd has arrived from Amazon. They need to wait until I get back home from work before I can listen.

Did you see that he's announced tour dates in Australia for November:

https://stevenwilsonhq.com/tour-dates/

I didn't. Thanks!

 

[SomethingAnything]

Steven really has come along way on his musical journey from those early beginnings, Porcupine Tree and now this very interesting release.

Now it may come as a bit of a shock but on first listen I was slightly underwhelmed.

It just didn't grab me by the balls and say listen to this you knucklehead.

I'm now listening to the instrumentals. WOW it's come alive. True I tend to prefer instrumental versions on most releases.

Back to the album then, now I can hear what he's achieving with his vocal arrangements that really make this release a gem.

I see Jonathan is credited with checking the mix.

Don't worry folks, I'm now fully on board with this clever, interesting and enjoyable release by our very own Mr Steven Wilson.

I'm looking forward to seeing him live, in May, with my brother at the London Palladium.

Almost identical experience for me, except it's the orchestral version that has grabbed me first. It's a grower for sure, this album, which can be the way with prog.

I really appreciate that the orchestral version and the instrumentals are all in Atmos. That feels more like the generosity of Wilson from days of old.

 

[Hamilton59]

I’ve listened to the streaming Apple ATMOS version twice now. I found the entire album very enjoyable over all. I wish that some of the solo instrumental sections were longer such as the closing sax solo. I loved the distortion used on one of the bass parts and on a couple of the guitar solos.
I also found the too often indistinct vocals very frustrating. Please tell me that the physical release comes with printed lyrics?! I am coming off of a week long head cold so hopefully it will all sound much more clearer when my disc arrives on Monday!

 

[M-K]

View attachment 114831

Looking at (not through) the beer, it doesn't look like clear skies!

 

[Suffolk David]

I’ve listened to the streaming Apple ATMOS version twice now. I found the entire album very enjoyable over all. I wish that some of the solo instrumental sections were longer such as the closing sax solo. I loved the distortion used on one of the bass parts and on a couple of the guitar solos.
I also found the too often indistinct vocals very frustrating. Please tell me that the physical release comes with printed lyrics?! I am coming off of a week long head cold so hopefully it will all sound much more clearer when my disc arrives on Monday!

It does indeed come with a lyric booklet

 

[Bobby Martini]

Got my Blu ray and signed CD from amazon yesterday. Gave the blu ray a listen last night with a fellow SW fan.
First opinion - like it a lot. We both thought part 2 was the stronger part and the final piece 'Permanance' definitely gave us both 'Blade Runner Blues' vibes.
It will definitely take a few listens and I'm looking forward to all of them.

My only gripe is not being able to skip to a particular 'chunk' on the bluray. I see spotify gives you the option to do that. Not a big deal, though.

Not long now until we see him at the Palladium

 

[GilWave]

Big fan of Steven Wilson's since The Raven That Refused to Sing. Also Porcupine Tree. I have all the deluxe editions released, some in multiple configurations/copies. Seen him live several times (with Chris and Tom Lord-Alge, who are also big fans, and follow his shows around the Europe and the US).

Was very disappointed in The Future Bites, was sorry I pre-ordered all the box sets/delivered editions (I have since listed them on eBay, no bites yet, hopefully in the future). I assumed Harmony Codex would be a refund to form, but it also left me underwhelmed, and I'm sitting on those box sets too.

Then came the news that this new record would be a return of sorts to prog rock, so again I pre-ordered the deluxe sets (direct from Steven Wilson's website), and listened to the Apple Music stream while waiting for the physical media to arrive from the UK.

So far, underwhelmed (again). Is it just me?

 

[SDW]

Huge SW fan here. Got the blu-ray yesterday. My initial impressions, in order:
1. This is the best sound design/Atmos mix I've ever heard. He really utilizes the height channels like never before, and the entire mix puts the "I" in immersive.
2. I also was underwhelmed by the regular 2 track album. At times the vocals are very difficult to comprehend, unlike previous SW recordings. The album didn't seem to have a flow. It had its excellent moments, but not sustained in my opinion.
3. I almost gave up after listening to the entire regular album, but decided to give the "instrumental" version a spin, not expecting anything other than what I had heard minus the vocals. All I can say is WOW!!! The instrumental version is one of the best pieces of music I've ever heard, and combined with the Atmos mix, may be the best thing I've ever heard (future listening sessions TBD). It was everything I was hoping for in this release and more! So why is the instrumental version a game changer? In my opinion, in the regular version, the vocals seem to step on the music at times, obscuring the underlying music, and also breaking up the flow. Do not judge this album without a serious listen to the instrument only version.
4. Surprisingly, the streaming versions of the album that I have listened to so far (Qobuz & Apple Music) do not include the instrumental version. Maybe it's just the blu-ray that contains that version. But whatever you do, make sure you listen to the instrumental version at some point.

 

[srbjab]

No, not just you. Received my BD copy yesterday and have had time for one good listen. Although the Atmos mix is excellent (as to be expected) musically I found the album a bit underwhelming. Initially, I liked the second track a bit more than the first. I don't think this is a massive departure from The Harmony Codex, and does not remind me of his earlier recordings, Porcupine Tree included. On the first track, Objects Outlive Us, I actually found the vocals to be a bit annoying and distracting. I then played the instrumental version of the track and found it to be more accessible and interesting, revealing a lot of background details more clearly. But it's early days and hope multiple replays will begin to grow on me a bit more. I know this often happens with recordings I'm initially less than enthused about.

 

[JulesRules]

I really appreciate that the orchestral version and the instrumentals are all in Atmos. That feels more like the generosity of Wilson from days of old.

That's why I preordered the box set. Felt like I was potentially getting some VFM this time. It was still a gamble because I wasn't too enamored with The Harmony Codex as a whole and find the album kinda icy, but The Overview definitely left a mark on me even during the first listen. I like that, aside from the one break in the middle, everything is somehow connected, and there are more passages here with the guitar at the forefront - something I think he's always excelled at (regardless of whether he's playing them himself or someone else).

 

[Perp]

So far, underwhelmed (again). Is it just me?

I received my box set a couple of days ago and the reason why I haven’t opened it is because when I placed my preorder, my intuition told me something is not right about it and I shouldn’t order it but because I have FOMO, I purchased it anyway. I figured I would stream it first to see how I vibe to it. With the exception of a couple of passages which I thought sounded decent but not great, I didn’t like it after two whole listening sessions. I was never a fan of Steven’s vocals, only the music and musicianship. It’s the same thing with Led Zeppelin. I love the songs but only tolerate Robert Plant’s vocals.

 

[SomethingAnything]

As expected, this album is beginning to grow on me, and I'm noticing all kinds of interesting musical ideas as I become more familiar with it.

This album may well prove to be one of Wilson's best achievements. Glad I got the box set.

Mostly though, I keep playing Orchestral Objects. It's so, so great!

 

[sjcorne]

I like that, aside from the one break in the middle, everything is somehow connected

Same here, and I'm really surprised to see comments saying that it sounds 'disjointed' or like 'a collection of bits stitched together.' I think it all flows remarkably well, to the point where listening to the separated tracks on streaming - with the fades between movements - kind of breaks the spell and takes me out of the zone. As always with these things, there's no accounting for taste.

 

[bookofsaturdays]

First real listen to the Apple Music stream at a reasonable volume.

Steven’s vocal harmonies and arrangements keep getting more and more ambitious. Just beautiful.

I can tell this record will be a real grower and I’m very excited to experience it multiple times to uncover everything it has to offer.

In anticipation of the new record rather than going back to the albums I love (Hand Cannot Erase, Raven) I decided to really give his more recent releases a fair chance and I’m so glad I did. I’ve been absolutely loving To The Bone lately. In my opinion it’s pretty much a perfect album, whereas before I thought it only had a couple really great songs. Permanating is an infectious pop masterpiece, and the title track is stunning. I’ve been listening to the album both in 5.1 and stereo in the car!

I’ll just say that Steven’s music is a joy to listen to, whether it be in stereo or surround.

Eagerly awaiting my boxset to arrive!

 

[pat bateman]

This is Atmos demo material for sure. If you're ever not sure if your height speakers are working, just throw this on. This should be a master class for engineers on how to utilize height channels tastefully - and how to use them in the first place for some. This album is what Atmos is supposed to be about. It feels like SW writes music with Atmos in mind first, or at least as equally as important as the music itself.

I did not like the stereo version of this album. I'm not a SW fan boy of his solo stuff, or him in general - his lyrics and themes can be cringey as hell, I hate his business antics of exlclusive versions of things behind Boxsets, The Future Bites was complete .

What to take away from all that - do not listen to this album in Stereo. Ever. It would be like watching Dune on a iPhone instead of 4K Bluray and a HT system with a sub that digs <20hz.

 

[sjcorne]

I’ve been absolutely loving To The Bone lately. In my opinion it’s pretty much a perfect album, whereas before I thought it only had a couple really great songs. Permanating is an infectious pop masterpiece, and the title track is stunning. I’ve been listening to the album both in 5.1 and stereo in the car!

I love it too, though that seems to be an unpopular opinion(?) among the fanbase. The first half, with the exception of "Refuge" (the only track on the album I still don't really care for), has to be some of the most joyous and colorful music he's ever made. Of course I'd rather hear it on the big system in surround, but those songs are just as fun to listen to in the car or out walking. On the other end of the spectrum, "Blank Tapes" and especially "Song of Unborn" rank among his most heartfelt compositions.