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Isobar — V
(Trope Audio 064, 2026, CD / DL)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2026-10-15

V Cover art

For those who have kept up with Isobar over their (so far) five album run, it only takes a song or two to recognize that something has changed, perhaps a more busy and complex sound profile; or maybe I’m just recognizing that fact now, something that’s snuck up on me without my noticing before. I recall in reviews of their earlier albums I compared theiir sound to Happy The Man – and some – in fact plenty of that is still here, but there is a busier twist at work on these newer tunes, new synth tones, busier structures, more complexity – all good things if you ask me, for a richer, brisker sonic palette and clearly a more imaginative way forwaed. There are some changes in the core lineup, with the exit of longtime bassist Jim Anderson, now replaced by Loren Gustafson, the remaining members being unchanged (guitarist Malcolm Smith, keyboardist Marc Spooner, and drummer and percussionist Mattias Olsson, with several guest players handling saxophones, violin and Uillean bagpipes track depending. In spite of these players’ excellent “prog” credentials (see my earlier reviews), they seem to be in it for the serious challenge of making excellent music, perhaps they are realists who recognize that purely instrumental progressive rock music exists for its own set of challenges and not something that a mass record buying public is ready for necessarily. One can find plenty herewithin to light the fuse for their next trip to the stratosphere and far beyond, ten mostly mid-length tracks in all, and really not a dull moment to be found on any of them. The closer “The Turpitude” stretches out for seven minutes, that’s the longest one here, but there isn’t a wasted measure anywhere, it’s changing all the time, structurally, shifting meter, a cornucopia of melodic presence and wonderful ideas. It’s alo the only song on the album that features some voice samples, but not enough to disrupt the pace of the music. A beautiful piano figure launches “As Is Was” before it takes off into the clouds, while the oddly titled “Democracy, The Kimono” pushes on with a more mysterious melodic palette. In just under two minutes, “Some Sort of Rudimentary Lathe” pushes some complexity and wizardry on all fronts. If one is looking for mysterious twists and amazing melodies wrapped up in some progressive rock, a little funk and fusion, and no vocals, Isobar V is an excellent place to start.

Filed under: New releases, 2026 releases

Related artist(s): Isobar

More info
http://isobarprog.bandcamp.com/album/isobar-v

 

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