Gong – Bright Spirit (Kscope, 2026)
The current incarnation of Gong has released a fantastic new album, one of the band’s best and a strong candidate for album of the year. Bright Spirit is the third installment in a trilogy that started with The Universe Also Collapses (2019) and continued with Unending Ascending (2023).
Gong presents a rich world of psychedelic progressive rock with a mix of gliding, intricate and epic electric guitars; mesmerizing, inventive floating electronics with echoes of Steve Hillage; vocals that draw you in; charming flutes; and serpentine bass. Additional music elements include trancy world music rooted in the Near East and a dash of jazz.
“It’s such an eclectic record,” shared singer and guitarist Kavus Torabi. “This is the most colorful and kaleidoscopic album so far from this incarnation of the band. There are Eastern-infused epics, long instrumental jazz-inspired sections, meditative and cosmic detours and blistering, incendiary psychedelic rock.”
“Stars In Heaven” was the first single extracted from Bright Spirit. “If you are a cynical, defensive or suspicious person, then that’s the world you’ll inhabit,” continued Kavus. “You’ll see mean-spirited behavior and selfishness all around you, but it’s always a choice. I think perhaps some people forget that. That’s not the world I live in, nor would I want to. It’s a sad old world for sure, but it’s also a beautiful one bursting with hope, possibility, wonder, and magic in every single moment.”
The highly talented lineup includes versatile guitarist and singer Kavus Torabi, who was endorsed by band founder Daevid Allen; bass player Dave Sturt who joined the band around the time the album 2032 was released; Ian ‘Eastwinds’ East wind instrument player; Brazilian guitar wizard Fabio Golfetti (who worked with Daevid for many years); and drummer Cheb Nettles.
Bright Spirit takes Gong further into a euphoric dreamworld of wonder and futuristic beauty. It is more cosmic and electronic, and I love it.
Buy Bright Spirit.