French Progressive Rock collective Nine Skies return with an intimate new chapter in their musical journey. Titled “A Whisper Called Home – Acoustic Sessions,” the forthcoming release will be issued on Friday 20 November 2026 and revisits some of the band’s most beloved compositions through beautifully reimagined acoustic arrangements, offering listeners a deeply emotional and immersive experience.
To help bring the project to life, the band has launched a crowdfunding campaign, allowing fans to support the album directly while accessing a range of exclusive rewards. The campaign will remain open until 30 September, after which the album will move into its final production stages ahead of its November release.
Since their acclaimed debut “Return Home” (2017), Nine Skies have established themselves as one of France’s most distinctive Progressive Rock acts, blending Rock, Pop, Jazz, Classical influences and Cinematic storytelling into richly textured concept albums. Their discography includes the critically acclaimed “Sweetheart Grips,” the acoustic-inspired 5.20, the ambitious concept album “The Lightmaker,” and most recently the retrospective collection “Horizons (Greatest Hits).” Throughout their career, the band has collaborated with internationally respected musicians including Steve Hackett, John Hackett, Damian Wilson, Clive Nolan, Craig Blundell, John Mitchell, Marco Minnemann, Kristoffer Gildenlöw, Adam Holzman and many others.
Following the emotional impact of “The Lightmaker,” a moving tribute to founding member Eric Bouillette, Nine Skies continue to evolve while remaining true to their unmistakable identity. Alongside Alexandre Lamia, Anne-Claire Rallo, Léo Lebrun, David Darnaud, Alexis Bietti and Johnny Marter, the band now sees Riccardo Romano step into the role of exclusive lead vocalist for the very first time. Although Riccardo has been a close collaborator on previous Nine Skies albums and joined the band on its most recent live tour, “A Whisper Called Home – Acoustic Sessions” marks his first full studio album as the band’s sole lead singer.
Best known as the frontman of Italian progressive rock outfit RanestRane, Riccardo has also become one of the scene’s most sought-after collaborators. Most recently, he co-wrote, co-produced, mixed and performed on “The Roaring Waves,” the highly anticipated collaborative album by Steve Hackett (Genesis) and Steve Rothery (Marillion), further cementing his reputation as one of progressive rock’s most versatile musicians.
“This project is about reconnecting with the heart of our music. We wanted to remove the layers and let the melodies, stories and emotions speak for themselves. These acoustic versions have taken on a life of their own, revealing a different side of the songs while remaining true to their spirit. In many ways, A Whisper Called Home is about returning to what matters most: carrying Eric’s musical legacy forward while continuing to explore new horizons. We hope listeners will feel as close to these songs as we do.” — Anne-Claire Rallo
Fans wishing to be part of the album’s creation are invited to join the crowdfunding campaign before 30 September, helping Nine Skies complete recording, production and manufacturing while securing exclusive collector rewards.
Support the album and discover the exclusive rewards available throughout the campaign: https://www.helloasso.com/associations/ftf-music/collectes/nine-skies-a-whisper-called-home-acoustic-sessions