The Elephants of Mars

Released in 2022, The Elephants of Mars represents a significant milestone in Joe Satriani's late-career discography. As his 18th studio album and first for earMUSIC, it was born out of the unique constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. The remote recording process allowed Satriani and his band - including drummer Kenny Aronoff and bassist Bryan Beller - to work without the ticking clock of a rented studio, resulting in a 66-minute opus that is arguably his most experimental work since the 1990s. The album explores a wide variety of sonic territories, from the Middle Eastern influence of 'Sahara' to the fusion-heavy 'Blue Foot Groovy' and the cinematic 'Through a Mother’s Day Darkly.' Critics noted that the 'extra time' Satriani took allowed for deeper exploration of guitar synthesis and non-traditional song structures. It stands as a testament to his enduring relevance, ranking highly in year-end guitar polls and showcasing a 'guitar god' still willing to take risks.