One of the most original and refreshing prog bands to have come along in recent years, The Emerald Dawn have released 5 highly acclaimed albums so far, each one advancing and building on the bands sound, without losing any of their unique identity. Now, us lucky fans get to hear new material in the form of album number 6 The Land, The Sea, The Air (Volume 1) – the first part of a two part set landing on October 7th, and for all those of you who’ve pre-ordered it already – you’re in for an absolute treat.
The four piece from Cornwall, comprising Tree Stewart (keyboards, flute, acoustic guitar & vocals), Ally Carter (guitar, tenor & soprano sax and keyboards), David Greenaway (6-string fretted and fretless bass) and Tom Jackson (drums and percussion) have been a tight knit unit since 2019. Whilst they have honed their craft on the highly regarded albums released since then, they have also been going down an absolute storm on the live circuit, working their way round the country and bringing these songs to life.
The Emerald Dawn are also one of those bands who put a lot of time into how everything flows together. Tree Stewart’s marvellous artwork (which adorns all their albums) matches the theme and tone of the album perfectly, and is one of many things that indicate that the band have a clear musical and lyrical vision, and that they are able to articulate it every step of the way, from the title, to the artwork and design of the packaging.
This is an album presented as an album should be – a complete work of art – from the cover to the structure and should be listened to in one sitting to get the feel of the what they are able to achieve.
From the title, and from the band’s history and announcement, this album is focused on the impact that we are having on our environment and the damage that man-made climate change is bringing to the world. Beautifully articulating something we all should care about. This summer for instance – has exacerbated a lung condition I didn’t even know existed and I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been impacted health wise by the increasing temperature and whilst this album is focused talking about a topic that the band are both educated and passionate about, it never ever crosses that line from showing to preaching, and it’s a testament to the lyrical skill of Ally Carter that everything flows and paints that picture.
Tree uses her paints, her vocals and keyboards and Ally uses his words, guitar and sax.
Their musical intuition flows through the 4 tracks on this 45 minute long album, and their dexterous skill and genre mingling fluidity is encapsulated in the instrumental opener Dancing with the Spirit which has a wonderfully insistent riff that builds, whilst the band bounce off each other. The mingling of jazz and prog build to a satisfying musical conclusion and it feels over far too soon.
I have said in previous interviews that Tree is one of the best prog keyboard players around at the moment, and nothing on here has made me change my mind. With Ally’s guitar, Tom’s drums and David’s bass they have a mighty powerful sonic arsenal, and are able to deploy it when needed, the light and shade that runs throughout this album is a testament to that skill.
The two epics that form the central part of the album, the 16 minute Under Changing Skies, and While Oceans Die clocking in at just under 14 minutes, are some of the finest examples of ‘less is more’ in prog epics that I’ve heard for a long time. The musical nuances, the effortless way the band can build to an epic and the way the album is mixed to allow Tree’s superb vocals to come to the fore is again a testament to the bands skill. Ally’s sax is given free rein to add texture and colour, all the while the foundations laid by David and Tom give the songs that space to grow and flourish. Whilst the finale of And We’re Left Wondering Why…. sums up the capitalist consumption era that has led us to this point, with some fantastic lyrics from Ally, performed brilliantly as ever by Tree with a wonderful musical backdrop to allow the song to grow.
When this album was announced I remember someone on an online forum commentating ‘At least I know what Woke nonsense to avoid’ (or words to that effect) however this is the latest in a long line of progressive musicians been ecologically aware (anyone remember Yes saying Don’t Kill the Whale back in the late 70’s) and trying to get the message across for decades? If as our ignorant online commentator said, this is ‘woke nonsense’ then more where this came from, please.
The Emerald Dawn have had a run of incredibly strong albums and that isn’t going to end any time soon – having been a fan since Visions back in 2017, I can confidently say that this is their finest album yet – one that grows and rewards with every listen.
TRACK LISTING
01. Dancing with the Spirit (5:50)
02. Under Changing Skies (16:50)
– i. Floating Clouds
– ii. Industry
– iii. Flight
– iv. The Reckoning
03. While Oceans Die (13:57)
– i. At the Coast in Early Morning Light
– ii. On the High Seas
– iii. An Evening Storm
– iv. Night Approaches
4. And We’re Left Wondering Why (9:17)
Total Time – 45:54
MUSICIANS
Tree Stewart – Vocals, Keyboards, Flute, 12-String Acoustic Guitar, HandSonic
Ally Carter – Soprano, Alto & Tenor Saxophones, Electric Guitar, Keyboards
David Greenaway – 6-String Fretless & Fretted Basses, Electric Upright Bass
Tom Jackson – Drums
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 3rd October 2025 (CD) | 7th October 2025 (Digital)
LINKS
The Emerald Dawn – Website | Facebook | Facebook (Group) | Bandcamp | YouTube | X | Instagram
