28/06/2026
Thank you Prog Rogue for this wonderful review.
‘Extra Sensory Perception’
No beating around the bush, flaming or otherwise, ESP Project is one of my perennials, an ongoing love affair that began 11 years ago with the debut “Invisible Din” that had the luxury of having me fall head over heels (a la Tears for Fears!) with their style of melancholic /romantic prog , laden with sumptuous melodies and a solid rhythmic support (Hello Mark Brzezicki) . Multi-talented Tony Lowe certainly has a distinct style which he masters all along his nine follow up albums, each one a splendid reverie that garnered high critical praise, nothing overtly technical mind you, complex only in the genial manner it is all put together in terms of production (Tony has a long list of successful adventures in that department!). Suave lead vocalist Peter Coyle is back again for another microphone appointment, as well as the afore mentioned Brzezicki, a solid rhythmic propeller with impeccable credentials , to say the least. The cover art is always consistent with the musical message, colorful, elegant and expressive of the content within. Seven mid-sized tracks, each superbly constructed, all for our listening pleasure.
The sensation of musical silk gliding over soft skin is immediately palpable on “Into Molecular”, the shuffling tempo wasting little time in settling in, the glistening guitar adding to the hushed seduction as Peter initiates the tale. Dreamy keyboard-driven atmospherics weave an orchestral panacea, from which a delightful solo would emerge, the entire arrangement blooming into a myriad of articled colorations, soothing molecules of sound that show no hint of anger.
The velvet touch comes across on “Time Slips Sideways”, riding on a wave of melodic swoon that is hard to ignore, the flowing percussive pulse muscular, permitting access to some ear-pleasing candy. The various synthesized layers coalesce within a dense construct, the hovering electric guitar overflowing with a bright disposition can only elicit smiles of approval. The orchestral send-off is also unexpected and cinema worthy!
The freshness stays very much intact on the ebullient “Imagination”, a nearly 10-minute fluffy cloud of beautiful notes and chords, where Peter’s carefree delivery becomes quite addictive, the vaporous instrumental stride washing away any trepidation as if ‘time slipped sideways’! Tony is also unafraid to delve into superimposed variations that are bold and startling, such as inserting delicate percolating shifts, as well as letting both the organ and the synthesizers do some travelling. His bass work is never discreet, at certain moments even daring to take over the spotlight.
This last comment is openly obvious on the throttling “A Beam of Light”, a late-night cruise into more vivacious rhythms, the bass overdrive illuminating the highway ahead, the wind releasing love as the bass caresses the skin, the guitars clanging, the drums pounding. A roadside stop within the darkened horizon, gives the listener the opportunity to gaze up to the sky, and let the imagination run wild, “Random Stars” diverts the mind from the routine realities and frees up pent-up emotions, ‘there is nothing to hide’ anymore. The undeniable liberation that is the message of peace. Here specifically, one can detect a clear Beatles influence, as if ESP channeled the spirit of that legendary band into a modern version of the White Album (in my mind, the first progressive masterpiece in music).
What else could possibly follow , “Weightless” stretches the contrasts with a frothy symphonic melody, sublime in merging floating hymns with orchestral splendour, the surreal vocals oozing bluesy class and a stunning organ passage that rekindles fond memories of whiter shades of pale. Crown that with backing vocal effects and a long and delirious axe solo and this becomes a masterclass piece that yearns for applause.
The second longest track “The Feedback and the Fire” switches into less dreamy vocals, the singing more forceful and intense, the tempo astonishingly athletic, amid a kaleidoscope of intricate layers of keyboards running the show, while the bass pants all along the watchtower, unbothered. Lose yourself in the subtle spell of letting your mind perceive the senses, eyes closed for there is way more colour in your brain that anything you may ever see. A sure-fire certainty when stimulated by such a wide variety of gorgeous sounds. This is the definition of healing. The brazen and bustling finale reminds us that mellowness can have even more depth that one may think.
If you haven’t yet plunged into the ESP spell, too bad for you, as you are missing out on a level of consistent quality that escapes the usual traps that arbitrary dismissals may cause. Mature, fiery, secure and exalting music that you may just fall in love with. I know I did , way back when.
5 ultra fleshly assessments
