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Melodic Rock
Silver Lining Music
New Release
Tyketto
Closer To The Sun
Reviewed in issue:
114
Release Date:
20 Mar 2026
Reviewed by:
🟣 Ant Heeks
For Fans Of
Hardline
FireHouse
White Lion
Top three tracks
• Higher Than High
• We Rise
• Harleys & Indians (Riders In The Sky)
Fireworks Verdict:
"Tyketto have always been renowned for anthemic choruses and optimism"
THE REVIEW
Words Of Wisdom!
Boring, aimless, tedious, depressing… no, not Tyketto you fools, I mean the ten years I’ve had to wait for their new album! Yes, it’s been a whole decade since the excellent ‘Reach’ caressed our ears; of course, COVID pandemic aside, in that period Tyketto underwent two major line-up changes that almost signalled the end of the band, but with the encouragement from departing drummer Michael Clayton Arbeeny, vocalist Danny Vaughn has recruited new blood to continue flying the Tyketto flag.
In comes Vaughn’s former Waysted colleague and current Doro/former Britny Fox drummer Johnny Dee, while guitar duties fall to young Welsh hotshot Harry Scott Elliott. Already establishing themselves within the performing line-up of Tyketto, the next logical step was a new album, and ‘Closer To The Sun’ is the long-awaited result. And as for Danny Vaughn himself, he still sounds amazing – as if you needed me to tell you that!
"And as for Danny Vaughn himself, he still sounds amazing"
Tyketto have always been renowned for anthemic choruses and optimism and strength in their lyrics; even within some of their darker themes, there’s always an attitude of “If you knock me down, I’ll come back even stronger” – ‘Hit Me Where It Hurts’ and ‘Bad For Good’ are the prime examples here. However, there’s a consummate vibe of upbeat positiveness that pervades throughout ‘Closer…’ that emphatically reminds me of their classic debut ‘Don’t Come Easy’ – and that can only be a good thing! Mostly up-tempo, the record only slows down for the ballad ‘The Picture’ and acoustic ‘Far And Away’ at tracks nine and ten; the gentle intro to ‘We Rise’ also cheekily hints at balladry before erupting into an anthemic beast with a huge chorus guaranteed to become a live favourite.
That wonderfully melodic, signature Tyketto sound is prevalent on the Jim Peterik co-write ‘Starts With A Feeling’, the quite brilliant title-track, and ultimately ‘The Brave’, a lively yet emotional lyrical tribute to anybody that gives their time and support to help others, it really is something special. There is also Tyketto’s first ever recorded cover, a faithful version of Roxette’s ‘Harleys & Indians (Riders In The Sky)’, a song so Tyketto-like it could have been written by Vaughn himself.
‘Closer To The Sun’ is no way an attempt to re-write Tyketto’s past, but it genuinely captures the vibe and spirit of ‘Don’t Come Easy’ some thirty-five years later, so if that was the intention then consider it well and truly mission accomplished!
"That wonderfully melodic, signature Tyketto sound is prevalent"
‘Closer To The Sun’ is no way an attempt to re-write Tyketto’s past, but it genuinely captures the vibe and spirit of ‘Don’t Come Easy’ some thirty-five years later, so if that was the intention then consider it well and truly mission accomplished!
Reviewer:
🟣 Ant Heeks
Let Us Know The Score!
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