Following a trilogy of unanimously well received sci-fi themed releases, Scanning the Dark Horizon, The Starships Are Gathering and concluding with last year’s Here Come The Robots!, the John Irvine Band (JIB) continue their space odyssey storytelling with this latest album. But there’s a twist – unlike previous releases Take Me To Your Leader is not an instrumental album. Having followed John Irvine’s, primarily instrumental musical path for roughly two decades, the announcement late last year of a vocal driven album was certainly an unexpected surprise.
Before diving into this new chapter, a brief introduction may help those less familiar with JIB. As with the previous three albums, multi‑instrumentalist John Irvine is joined by drummer Andrew Scott, maintaining the cohesive ‘band experience’ which runs through all JIB recordings. What’s new here, of course, are the vocalists with Gordon Robinson taking on the lead role, with Emma Jean providing background vocals.
The first thing to note is that JIB’s signature sound remains firmly intact. Their carefully crafted blend of progressive, jazz‑infused rock which was always open to a sleeker, more hi‑tech edge is still very much present. The addition of vocals, however, pushes Take Me To Your Leader into fresh territory. The lyrics and vocal arrangements aren’t an afterthought or a superficial layer, they are a thoughtfully conceived extension of the band’s established sci‑fi narratives, guiding us into a bold new chapter. It feels like a natural evolution, especially considering that John is not only a gifted composer but also a published sci‑fi author. That storytelling background is woven seamlessly into the fabric of this album.
While the music retains the unmistakable JIB character, the lyrics do more than support the storyline, they transform the tracks, adding memorable hooks and giving the album a new dimension without sacrificing the JIB sound. The opening bars of the stately album opener confirm this immediately: a bold keyboard motif, John’s unmistakable thematic guitar, deep bass synth, and Andrew Scott’s ever solid drumming. Gordon Robertson enters with a slightly theatrical vocal delivery, perfectly suited to a concept‑driven or tightly themed album. As the track unfolds, that theatricality gives way to a more upbeat, irresistibly catchy chorus, and the flexible arrangement provides a dynamic canvas for the vocals to shine. Flicking back through my handwritten notes: wasn’t expecting that; driving guitar — nice; those melody lines are ridiculously infectious; clever; aha… great little solo from John; Go West?
The pop quotient rises even further on Chosen One, which to my ears lands squarely in the realm of late 70s, early 80s well‑crafted melodic structured pop music with techno element added in. Give it a radio edit and you’re staring at a hit single, surely?
The driving, upbeat Assembly Line and the hideously infectious A.G.I. (Artificial General Intelligence) bring a New Wave/Post‑Punk energy into the mix. John’s own references to The Buggles, Yes, and particularly the Trevor Horn/Geoff Downes Drama era make perfect sense. I’d add period‑relevant Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics, It Bites, Canadian rockers Saga, and even Nik Kershaw to the constellation of influences. Meanwhile, Siddartha briefly triggered memories of John Farnham’s massive hit You’re The Voice. It’s an impressive list of touchpoints, and while there’s certainly a nostalgic breeze from that era, Take Me To Your Leader is no slavish tribute. Musically and lyrically, the album is firmly rooted in the 21st century.
Before wrapping up this review, it’s worth pausing to acknowledge the album artwork. Its minimalistic design stands in stark contrast to the futuristic, detail rich imagery Sam Hayles created for the previous releases. Daniel Irvine’s approach is clean, uncluttered, and deliberately restrained — yet it neatly captures the flavour of the album. In its simplicity, it mirrors the clarity of the narrative and the directness of the new vocal driven direction, offering a visual counterpoint that complements rather than competes with the music.
I’ve often remarked how John has resisted the temptation to use spoken narration to explain the concepts behind his albums, relying instead on the music to carry the listener through the storyline. This time, he goes all in with fully integrated lyrics providing a coherent narrative thread across every track, celebrating the spirit of the previous albums whilst adding a fresh dimension. With Gordon Robertson and Emma Jean he has found the perfect combination to deliver these chronicles. Long‑time fans will find plenty to enjoy, and I suspect this bold shift will bring a whole new audience into the JIB universe.
TRACK LISTING
01. Wheel Of Time (5:33)
02. Chosen One (6:11)
03. A.G.I. (Artificial General Intelligence) (6:03)
04. Siddhartha (7:13)
05. One Small Step (4:21)
06. Man In The Moon (6:40)
07. Assembly Line (3:42)
08. Take Me To Your Leader (5:32)
Total Time – 45:20
MUSICIANS
John Irvine – Guitars, Keyboards, Bass & Programming
Gordon Robertson – Lead & Backing Vocals
Andrew Scott – Drums
Emma Jean – Backing Vocals
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 31st January 2026
