By Jim Rowland
Psychedelic institution Gong’s new album ‘Bright Spirit’ marks the third instalment in the ‘Ascension’ trilogy that began with ‘The Universe Also Collapses’ (2019) and continued with ‘Unending Ascending’ (2023), emulating the classic ‘Radio Gnome’ trilogy of the band’s original 70’s incarnation. Prepare to be spiritually enlightened once more.
Whereas 2019’s ‘The Universe Also Collapses’ concentrated on longer prog-flavoured pieces, 2023’s ‘Unending Ascending’ favoured shorter, psych-influenced tracks. Completing the trilogy, ‘Bright Spirit’ sits somewhere between the two, and there’s a strong argument for this being the best of the three.
The complex, eastern-flavoured opening epic ‘Dream of Mine’, and the Steve Hillage-inspired instrumental ‘Mantivule’ are a delight, and perhaps closest to sounding like old school 70’s Gong that the current incarnation has done so far.
‘The Wonderment’ and ‘Eternal Hand’ also display vintage Gong tendencies, both with more of a dreamy, spacey feel. The psychedelic edge that was prominent on the previous album is to the fore on ‘Fragrance of Paradise’ and ‘Stars in Heaven’, as well as the meditative vibe of ‘Relish the Possibility’.
‘Bright Spirit’ is further proof that today’s Gong continue to carry the torch first lit by founder Daevid Allen in the late ’60s, making Gong music that is tastefully reverent to the band’s legacy and history, whilst forging ahead into new cosmic territories.
- ‘Bright Spark’ will be released tomorrow (Friday 13 March).
- Gong will kick off their latest round of tour dates next Thursday (19 March):
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