PROXY

The Tangent are among the most important and busy prog bands of the 21st century, often delivering some of the most well-arranged jazzy prog music and their 2018 release 'Proxy' remains of the band's most solid, accessible and politically charged releases to date. Of course, this is the tenth album by the band and at this point The Tangent have definitely consolidated a recognizable musical framework under which the collective operates. Yet 'Proxy' feels so invigorated and new, brimming with great ideas and enjoyable, memorable passages, which is precisely why this is one of the most consistent and well-produced albums by this international band, and not only this, but with 'Proxy' Tillison and Co. have achieved a great balance between the band's laid-back, fusion-y style and the pomp and virtuosity of prog - as if they are impersonating Steely Dan with an ELP-like swagger.

The album is made up of five tracks, two of which exceed the 16-minute mark and in this particular case, they are definitely the highlights of the show. The title track is a dynamic Canterbury-esque opus that sees Andy Tillison commenting on current political and social issues, which might make certain listeners nauseous. Unless you are familiar with the band's previous works, the style of this track might feel a little in-your-face; while the other epic 'The Adulthood Lie' is a more structured, jazzy piece with bits of disco and some fantastic soloing, once again telling a great story in the typical vein of the band. Both of these tracks feature great melodies and intricate, technical playing, with a delightful and upfront bass and a plethora of quirky synth sound - crazy good stuff. 'The Melting Andalusian Sky' is a flamenco-inspired 9-minute-long instrumental and the funky tones of 'A Case of Misplaced Optimism' could not leave you cold. However, it is the 70s pastiche of 'Supper's Off' that makes this the least intriguing part of the album. A bonus track 'Excerpts from Exo-Oceans' continues the jazz thread of the album and re-proposes some familiar themes with an electronic twist. 'Proxy' is nothing less than fabulous and is an album I find myself returning to often enough to say it's an essential one for this band.

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