From the New World (2022)
From the New World, the most recent release from Alan Parsons, continues the trend he’s established with his latest solo efforts: a mix of standout tracks alongside others that are, frankly, forgettable. What hasn’t changed is his unwavering commitment to top-tier production. Sonically, this album is pristine. And when it hits—it really hits.
The record opens with Fare Thee Well, a dramatic rocker that feels like a bittersweet goodbye to the legacy of the Alan Parsons Project. Parsons name-drops several of his iconic songs—“The Raven,” “Children of the Moon,” “In the Lap of the Gods”—and while some may find it a little cheesy, I think it works well as an affectionate and knowing nod to longtime fans.
The Secret (not to be confused with the previous album’s title) is classic Parsons pop rock: dreamy guitar textures, a solid beat, and that polished sheen he’s so known for. It’s not a reinvention of the wheel, but it’s very much in his wheelhouse. Then comes one of the record’s highlights—Uroboros—featuring Tommy Shaw of Styx. The track is about the ancient symbol of the serpent eating its own tail (anyone who’s seen Loki Season 2 will catch the reference). Sonically, it blends the best of Styx and Parsons, resulting in a dynamic, theatrical rock song that feels like it could’ve lived comfortably on either artist’s discography.
From there, the album becomes a bit of a roller coaster. There are glimmers of brilliance, but several tracks fall into the “fine but forgettable” category. It’s not until You Are the Light that we get another real gem. This track is light, poppy, and catchy, evoking the feel of Parsons’ Vulture Culture or Ammonia Avenue era—but with a more modern, less ‘80s-drenched production. It’s charming, melodic, and effortlessly enjoyable.
The most curious moment comes with Be My Baby, a cover of The Ronettes’ 1960s classic. It’s an honest, straightforward cover—not radically different from the original, but lovingly done. As a standalone, it’s great. But within the context of this album, it feels oddly placed. It would’ve made more sense on a dedicated covers record of 50s and 60s classics. Here, it’s a sweet surprise, but also a bit of a head-scratcher.
Unfortunately, not everything lands. Songs like Goin’ Home, Don’t Fade Now, and Obstacles don’t leave much of a lasting impression and can be safely skipped. They’re not offensively bad—just filler that doesn’t match the highs of the album.
All in all, From the New World has plenty for Alan Parsons fans to enjoy. There’s heart, great production, and flashes of the old magic. While it won’t go down as one of his essential records, it’s absolutely worth a listen. With a bit of patience, you’ll find some tracks here that are more than worth your time.
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Highlight Songs:
Uroborus
You Are The Light
I Won’t Be Led Astray
Be My Baby
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
Like the last album, The Secret, if you are an Alan Parsons completist then you should of course own this record. If not, you can get away with streaming it once over, saving the songs you like, and then adding them to whatever playlist you have in rotation. The songs that work really work, but sadly it’s not all of them.
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Overall Rating:
3.5 Stars
