Released via Axis Records, The Trip To Vega is Jeff Mills’ latest 11-track album and a deep space odyssey set in the year 2097. The story begins on September 23rd, when humanity is forced to abandon Earth after the planet becomes uninhabitable, embarking on an irreversible journey to Vega, a favorable star system located 25.3 light-years away.
More than a science fiction narrative, the album explores themes of human fragility, survival, and humanity’s relationship with the future. Through its immersive world-building, Mills imagines a moment when technological advancement can no longer save humanity, leaving only one question: what must we change in order to survive?
In our interview, Jeff Mills discusses the ideas behind The Trip To Vega
This album is set in the year 2097, a future that many young people alive today could potentially witness. What inspired you to choose this specific year, and what message are you hoping to communicate to that generation?
There are few aspects about the date 2097. One is that is it only 3 years away from the turn of the Century. So, like any transition of this level of time, there will most likely be a certain excitement, while people think about what lies beyond that date 2100.
The accumulation of all the attention to the subject of “The future”. The other aspect of the date, relates to nature. The probability that the weather will be even hotter and more extreme. Which will definitely increase the conversations about if the Planet becomes too unlivable.
Is this album a prediction of the future or a warning about the present?
The concept of this album is about human fragility. And that to survive, we might have to make big alterations to our lives as well as ourview about the future.
What does “Lyra” symbolize in the story?
The composition Lyra refers to the fact that by 2097, it should be more visible to recognize that the most populous type of human will be the Asian women.
Which means they will most likely be in most political decision making and basically, leading humans forward. The name and Greek term Lyra refers to “the female”.
Why was it important to dedicate a track to a future female-majority world?
Because they just might be the majority of listeners of music in 2097.
Why did you decide not to use a drum machine at all?
I decided to not use a drum machine because it would stamp date the concept to this time. Instead, I thought that by using similar but, non-detectable sounds and frequencies would divert the subject away from machines and steer the attention to meaning of the compositions themselves – what they mean and why I made them.
What do you hope today’s younger generation takes away from this album?
I hope they will remember this story.
When you imagine 2097, what excites you most and what concerns you most?
Somewhere along the way in the near future, I can easily imagine that all humans will faced with making an important decision that would probably affect them the rest of their lives.
From what we’ve witnessed in the past, people have used their rights of freedom to actually harm others. I hope by 2097, humans or technology will have solved this problem so that in times of severe need, certain people aren’t able to obstruct what needs to be done for the greater good of humanity.
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