Relayer

Relayer is the seventh studio album by the English progressive rock band Yes, released in the UK on 29 November 1974 and in the US on 5 December 1974 by Atlantic Records. Following the departure of keyboardist Rick Wakeman mid-tour due to creative frustrations surrounding the band's previous double album Tales from Topographic Oceans (1973), Yes rehearsed as a four-piece in Buckinghamshire before deciding to record at bassist Chris Squire's home studio in Virginia Water, Surrey. Co-produced by the band and long-time engineer Eddy Offord, they auditioned several musicians, including Vangelis, before recruiting Swiss keyboardist Patrick Moraz of Refugee. This remains the only studio release to feature Moraz on keyboards. Musically, the album features a more aggressive direction that integrates elements of jazz fusion and funk into the band's core progressive rock style. Following the structural format of Close to the Edge (1972), Relayer consists of three tracks: the side-long epic "The Gates of Delirium" on side one, and "Sound Chaser" and "To Be Over" on side two. Frontman Jon Anderson drew structural and thematic inspiration for "The Gates of Delirium" from Leo Tolstoy's literary work War and Peace, culminating in a chaotic battle sequence that incorporated found objects like metal pieces and scrapped car parts as percussion, followed by a gentle, soothing prayer for peace that was later released as a standalone single, "Soon". The album's visual aesthetic is anchored by its gatefold cover artwork, a minimalist pencil and watercolour design by Roger Dean. Relayer received a mixed-to-positive reception from contemporary critics, though retrospective reviews widely celebrate its adventurous technical complexity. The album achieved strong commercial success, peaking at No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 5 on the US Billboard 200. The single edit of "Soon" was released in January 1975, and the band supported the...