The Absence of Presence is their 16th studio effort and second with singer Ronnie Platt, who joined the band six years ago.

“Isn’t it strange that the title is The Absence of Presence with what’s going on? We do not claim clairvoyancy that’s for sure. But we’re really excited about this album and hats off to [original members drummer] Phil Ehart and [guitarist] Rich Williams on knocking on the door of 50 years in Kansas and still wanting to put out original music. Isn’t that incredible?”

The Absence of Presence is their first album since 2016’s The Prelude Implicit.

“The difference between The Prelude Implicit and The Absence of Presence, you know, we recorded this album while we were touring so it was an extremely intense schedule. But, you know, there’s something about painting yourself in a corner, and, you know, having that tunnel vision and not doing anything else and just really have that concentration. And, every song on this album, in my opinion, is just great listening.

Prior to their last album, The Prelude Implicit, Kansas hadn’t released a studio album in 16 years — 2000’s Somewhere to Elsewhere.