Hungarian progressive rockers, Yesterdays have returned to release their fourth progressive rock masterpiece album, Saint-Exupéry álma, on October 22. This is an epic mix of modern progressive rock, filled with sounds of the past, and adorned with Hungarian lyrics, flute, female vocals, and incredible keyboards. The keyboard mixes took me back to the great 1970s classics, we all remember, or know. You can hear the influence of both Steve Howe, and Chris Squire, throughout this album. Imagine, if you can, Genesis, Jethro Tull and Yes, all mixed together with Hungarian lyrics, and you have it. Add the Rush- like, opening guitar and drums on “Úgy várj majd rám”, and you have something completely wonderful to enjoy.
This wonderful music is performed by Yesterdays members: Bogáti-Bokor Ákos, on electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar, Mellotron, Mini Moog, Hammond organ, piano, synthesizers, additional percussion and drums, and lead and backing vocals; Enyedi Zsolt, on Roland Juno synthesizer, (“A méreg”); Francesco Faiulo, on bass guitar, (“Úgy várj majd rám” and “Rajzolj újra át”); Kecskeméti Gábor, on flute; Kósa Dávid, on percussion, backing vocals, and spoken word; Stéphanie Semeniuc, on lead and backing vocals; Tarsoly Csenge, on backing and lead vocals; and Zsigó László, on drums.
Saint-Exupéry álma, follows Yesterdays’critically acclaimed album, Senki Madara, released back in October 2018. The album tells the story of “Saint-Exupéry’s Dream,” or as we know it, the world-famous story, Le Petit Prince, (The Little Prince), by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, (to whom the album title is dedicated). The album also commemorates the life of keyboardist Enyedi Zsolt, who passed away, before the release of the album. It was his inspiration that suggested the concept for the album, focused on Saint-Exupéry’s dream.
Every track on this album is intense and well-crafted progressive rock at a level once witnessed regularly throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The opener, “Rajzolj át”, “Úgy várj majd rám”, and the epic, over 20-minute, “Esőtánc”, are my favorites. The way they created this album, with such intense preparation and clear thought, is a breath of fresh air to appreciate again and again. We need more of this time spent, to exact a sound and develop a concept to its fruition. Such a well-made album should occur regularly, as it did in generations before. But thankfully we have bands like Yesterdays, who take their music seriously and build these masterpiece progressions of guitar, bass, and keyboards, for us to enjoy.
They blend female and male lead vocals well to balance the sound. The soft flute and intricate electric and acoustic guitar chords are mixed and placed perfectly. There is just enough of everything, guitar, keyboards, drums, and bass. The intricate way everything is blended well together and works in such a natural way, displays the amount of time and effort that went into the creation of Saint-Exupéry álma. Even if you don’t understand the Hungarian lyrics, you can still appreciate the exquisite music. In fact, in some ways, the language barrier allows you to appreciate their music even more and concentrate less on the lyrics.
Please go out on Bandcamp or your favorite music vendor site and purchase this gem of an album. Not to be missed; if you love progressive rock, made with care and love, the way it used to be in the 1970s. It is not the speed of creation that counts. It is that you develop something that lives forever, as the masterpieces of the past, have to this day. Saint-Exupéry álma, is Yesterdays, and Hungary’s contribution to the continuance of epic, classical progressive rock music. Buy it and appreciate, things that are included, along with the music; the birdsong, rain and thunder, and the sounds of nature added for us to remember and appreciate. After all, that is what is important to us all.
Track List
- Rajzolj át
- Úgy várj majd rám
- Estekék
- Esőtánc
- Ma minden érdekel
- Panoptikum
- A méreg
- Engedj el
- Rajzolj újra át
All tracks produced and mixed by Bogáti-Bokor Ákos. All tracks mastered by Nyíri Sándor @ Tom Stúdió Budapest. Recorded in 2021 in Romania, Hungary, and Belgium. Album art by Bogáti-Bokor Ákos. Album title idea by Enyedi Zsolt (RIP) around 2015-2016.
Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/yesterdaysband
https://yesterdaysband.bandcamp.com/
You Tube: