With The Very Day, Steve Porcaro makes a bold and deeply personal statement, one that highlights his mastery as a songwriter while refusing to be confined by expectations. Nearly a decade after Someday Somehow (2016), Porcaro returns with an album that is expansive, sonically rich, and unashamedly adventurous. Now free from the rigors of touring and film scoring, he has thrown himself entirely into the studio, producing two albums’ worth of material and distilling it into this ambitious release.

What makes The Very Day shine is its careful balance of accessibility and experimentation. Songs like “Marilyn” and “Saints and Angels” showcase Porcaro’s gift for melodic pop, complete with horn arrangements by Jerry Hey and David Paich. Meanwhile, the eight-minute “Water from the Sky” ventures into progressive territory, full of Marc Bonilla’s searing guitar and cinematic orchestral swells. Along the way, Porcaro enlists world-class collaborators—Michael McDonald, Jason Scheff, Stan Lynch, Marcus Miller, and Leland Sklar among them—while also stepping forward vocally himself, reminding longtime fans of the voice they first heard on “Takin’ It Back.”

Sonically, the record leans into live textures. Shannon Forrest’s drum engineering and Lenny Castro’s percussion work provide warmth and depth, while Porcaro’s acoustic keyboards give the music a more organic feel than his 2016 debut. The result is a record that feels both classic and fresh, a testament to Porcaro’s restless creativity.

Ultimately, The Very Day is more than a return—it’s Porcaro finally embracing his own lane. Unburdened by the shadow of Toto, he delivers an album that plays like both a love letter to California and a declaration of independence. For fans of progressive pop and finely crafted songcraft, this is an album that rewards close listening.

Stand out Tracks:

“Marilyn”
Opening the album with warmth and confidence, “Marilyn” (co-written with Stan Lynch) is dressed in a vibrant horn arrangement featuring Chuck Findley and Larry Williams. Steve Porcaro’s lead vocal is strong and assured, complemented by Jason Scheff’s soaring backing harmonies. It’s a polished pop-rock opener that immediately sets the tone: sophisticated yet approachable.

“Miss Jane Sinclair”
One of Porcaro’s finest lead vocal performances anchors “Miss Jane Sinclair.” Co-written with David Kemp, the track carries clever, earnest storytelling wrapped in classic pop sensibilities. Jason Scheff again provides subtle high-tenor support, while Mike Landau’s guitar lines are economical and tasteful. The horn section—Larry Williams and Joe Sublett on sax, Chuck Findley and Mark Pender on trumpet, Andy Martin on trombone—adds vibrant color, making the track both radio-ready and musically rich.

“Change”
Originally conceived as a Michael Jackson pitch, “Change” (co-written with the late Michael Sherwood and Julius Robinson) becomes one of the album’s emotional high points thanks to Michael McDonald’s unmistakable voice. Jerry Hey’s horn arrangement and Marcus Miller’s bass give the song muscular drive, elevating it into a soulful, powerhouse performance.

“Water from the Sky”
The album’s prog centerpiece, “Water from the Sky,” stretches to eight minutes without losing focus. Marc Bonilla’s soaring guitar work meshes with orchestral elements Porcaro originally wrote for a film score, while layered harmonies create a widescreen sonic landscape. Ambitious yet deeply musical, it’s a feast for fans of progressive rock and one of the album’s defining statements.

“2 Time Lover”
Built around a chorus Porcaro had been carrying for 40 years, “2 Time Lover” is the ultimate proof of his new mantra: finishing what he starts. The song blends vintage melodic ideas with modern production polish, showing how musical seeds can bear fruit decades later.

“Tonight”
Inspired by German acid jazz duo Tab Two, “Tonight” shifts the album into moodier, urban textures. Trumpet-driven instrumental choruses and a “Baker Street”-style saxophone sensibility give the track a smoky, late-night atmosphere, adding stylistic variety without breaking cohesion.

“Saints and Angels”
One of the record’s clear standouts, “Saints and Angels” began life as a forgotten cassette idea with David Paich before Stan Lynch helped bring it to lyrical completion. Jason Scheff delivers a soaring lead vocal, while Leland Sklar’s bass and Lynch’s drumming ground the groove. Both nostalgic and celebratory, the track blends Toto’s polish with Chicago’s pop-rock brightness—Porcaro’s California love letter at its most heartfelt.

Taken together, these tracks make The Very Day an album of striking contrasts—polished pop songs, soulful collaborations, and progressive explorations—yet all united by Porcaro’s unique voice as a writer and producer. By leaning on trusted collaborators while also stepping into the spotlight himself, Porcaro has created a record that feels like both a summation of his career and a bold step forward. It’s an album about finishing long-gestating ideas, embracing collaboration, and finally, unapologetically, making music on his own terms.

While it may be a little longer until we receive Steve Porcaro’s third solo album, The Very Day is a delight which we can enjoy until that day comes.