Rick Wakeman has announced a new progressive rock album, Return To The Red Planet, due for release through Madfish Records on 16 October. The record serves as a sequel to his 2020 album The Red Planet, continuing his musical exploration of Mars, and sees him reunited with his English Rock Ensemble band.

Wakeman said that after reviewing new data and photographs about Mars, he realised there was "an entirely new album waiting to be written," feeling there was more to express musically and spiritually about the planet. The album reunites him with band members Lee Pomeroy, Dave Colquhoun, Adam Falkner and Mollie Marriott, and a trailer has been released alongside the announcement. Wakeman has also spoken about drawing on his experience playing on David Bowie's Life On Mars? during his pre-Yes days as inspiration for the new material.