Transgalactica’s “Liberal Anthem” Turns Philosophy Into Rock Poetry

Progressive rock has always carried an air of ambition, but Transgalactica’s Liberal Anthem, the third track from their debut album Better Angels, raises the stakes by setting modern political and philosophical thought to music. The father and son duo, Tomasz and Filip Bieroń, draw inspiration not only from classic rock traditions but also from the writings of cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker. Where Pinker famously mused that no “liberal church” exists to celebrate the ideals of enlightenment thinkers, Transgalactica takes that as a creative challenge, shaping a song that dares to serve as exactly that, an anthem for rational optimism.

Musically, the track is both muscular and thoughtful. A riff driven backbone channels the raw urgency of hard rock, yet woven into the structure are passages that nod toward the expansive landscapes of progressive rock. Early listeners compared elements of the arrangement to Marillion, and it is easy to hear why. The song balances immediacy with atmosphere, brimming with shifting textures and carefully layered harmonics. The piece culminates in a striking modulation from minor to major, a deliberate move that lends the closing stanzas a sweeping, hopeful resonance.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Liberal Anthem is how it bridges centuries and genres. Its opening motif recalls a Polish Renaissance melody, anchoring the composition in cultural history, before giving way to anthem like passages whose grandeur feels designed for communal singing. The duo have even expressed their dream of hearing it one day sung by Yes frontman Jon Anderson, a nod that feels both aspirational and fitting given the song’s lofty intentions.

Lyrically, Liberal Anthem is unapologetically idealistic, calling for the symbolic founding of a “Church of John Stuart Smith” as a way to honor the values of humanism, rights, and reason. In a time where populism often dominates public discourse, Transgalactica counters with a vision rooted in progress, empathy, and intellectual courage. Rather than descending into cynicism, the song insists that ideas of dignity and human flourishing remain worth celebrating through art.

As part of Better Angels, originally released in 2023 and now reissued with new vocals by Chilean artist Lukky Sparxx, Liberal Anthem stands as one of the band’s defining statements. It is a track that captures both the duo’s musical ambition and their philosophical drive, blending father Tomasz’s literary background with Filip’s modern sensibilities. The result is music that does more than entertain, it provokes thought while reminding listeners that optimism can sound grand, anthemic, and alive.

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