"North Star" is the seventh studio album by British progressive rock band Curved Air, released in 2014. After a long break from the studio, Curved Air returned with "North Star", a mixture of new songs, cover versions of some favorites, and re-recordings of some of their classic tracks. The album was well-received and marked a return to their progressive rock roots.
Curved Air is a pioneering British progressive rock group formed in 1970. They achieved success with their unique blend of classical, electronic, and folk music influences, along with the notable feature of a violin as a key element of their sound. The band's lineup has experienced multiple changes over the years. For the recording of "North Star", the band consisted of Sonja Kristina, Florian Pilkington-Miksa, Chris Harris, Robert Norton, and Paul Sax.
"North Star" opens with "Stay Human" and "Time Games", two new songs by the band. The band revisits some of their earlier work, such as "Puppets" and "Images and Signs", presenting them in new arrangements. Alongside these are covers – The Police's "Spirits in the Material World", Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars" and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" – all delivered with the distinctive Curved Air flair.
This fusion of new and revisited material encapsulates Curved Air's enduring spirit and continued development as a band. "North Star" is a testament to Curved Air's musical longevity and persistent creativity.
