In 2017, Mike Score was approached by John Bryan of August Day Recordings regarding the creation of an orchestral album. Intrigued, Mike agreed to the possibility. Upon hearing the offer, the rest of the original band–consisting of Frank Maudsley, Paul Reynolds, and Ali Score–jumped on board as well.[5] On 3 May 2018, Ascension was officially announced.[6]
In making the album, Mike preferred to not change the songs too much owing partly to his penchant for not enjoying live performances where bands alter their music. He also felt that this was the easiest and quickest way to work due to time constraints. He stated, "We wanted to make it easy for ourselves and let the record company do the work, because it was really their idea."[5] As the band was not familiar with orchestras, an orchestral arranger was brought in to handle the arrangements.[5]
Although the album was recorded in separate studios, Mike, Maudsley, and Reynolds reunited in Liverpool for a day to record the music video for the orchestral version of "Space Age Love Song".[5] Video involving Ali was added into the finished version, which premiered on YouTube 6 June.[7]
A five-track EP was digitally released 8 June 2018, that features five versions of "Space Age Love Song".[8] On 6 July, the album was released digitally and in select stores, although physical copies were available for purchase online prior to the release date. A limited edition special set was also available, which contained five CD's, four signed postcards, and two stickers. The five CD's are: Ascension, Ascension (Instrumental), Ascension (Orcapella), Aurora Borealis – The Greatest Hits, and an 8-track single of "Space Age Love Song". Aurora Borealis – The Greatest Hits does not contain the orchestra, but instead includes re-recordings of the original tracks from the main album (excluding "Ascension").
On 7 December, "I Ran (So Far Away)" was also released as a single. It includes eight alternate versions of the song along with the orchestral and re-recorded version. On 11 June 2019, the Inflight album was announced. It contains extended and instrumental versions of the tracks featured on Aurora Borealis – The Greatest Hits with the exception of "Telecommunication". "Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)" was made as a single to be included with the set. The Inflight Tour spanned the UK from 11–19 July; it did not feature the original lineup featured on the album.
The website Cryptic Rock gave Ascension a perfect five-star rating, saying: "It is a grand production that is wonderfully recorded, produced, and mastered" and "retains the magic of the original tunes, but while interjecting new dynamics thanks to The Prague Philharmonic Orchestra."[9] Paul Scott-Bates of Louder Than War stated it is "a good solid album" and had an affinity for "I Ran (So Far Away)", writing that the Prague Philharmonic "adds an air of grandiose...and makes the song a dramatic spectacle. As an opener to the album, it really couldn't be much better."[10]
Aaron Badgley of The Spill Magazine wrote that the band still "play extremely well together and the core unit is as tight as they have ever been" and "the orchestra provides a whole new aspect to these songs."[11]
John Earls of Classic Pop reviewed the Inflight release and gave it a five out of ten. He stated: "Inflight's premise is intriguing...[b]ut that's twice now the band have remained in the comfort zone." He would have preferred to hear new songs from the band, as opposed to 12″ remixes.[12]
