One of St. Louis’ best-kept secrets, Ars Nova is back! Their first two albums, Of the Stars, the Sun, and the Moon (2018) and Mosaic (2020) highlighted their knack for combining intricate, extended song structures with stellar musicianship and a strong pop sensibility. Their latest release, the self-produced Distant Generator (2026), pushes the envelope even further: from the energetic opener “Espionage” to their latest single “Yesterday Will Never Let You Go;” from the guitar-driven slamfest “The Other” to the astonishing “American Triptych” and the elegiac “Last Leaf,” Distant Generator takes the listener on a whirlwind journey into the outer and inner reaches of homegrown progressive rock. Featuring Lance Garger’s playful, adventurous percussion, guitarist Larry Smith’s classically-influenced pyrotechnics, John Thomas’ virtuosic horn and angular keyboard stylings, Tim Folkerts’ fluid, apocalyptic bass work, and lead vocals sung by Jim McKee (and shared by the other four as well) Distant Generator was well worth the wait!
