Best of 2019

TPA Best Albums of 2019

Happy New Year!

It’s that time again where we look ahead to the audible delights that might give us a quick peck on the cheek, a full-blown snog or have us running screaming from the singles bar in 2010. It’s also time to look back, to remember with fondness new-found relationships forged in 2019, some of which might have become a permanent fixture, their toothbrush placed tantalisingly next to yours in the metaphorical bathroom of musical heaven.

Or something.

Anyway, below are a whole load of lists from folk who clearly have too much time on their hands, presented in alphabetical order. Whatever Leo says, there is no right answer, just a whole host of great releases to listen to. To that end, we’ve added links so that you can do just that. Go on, feel free to gorge on the wonderful sounds – it might even lead to wedding bells.

The fact that a massive 87 albums have been suggested by the twelve contributors underlines that 2019 was another great year for music at the progressive end of the spectrum, from both big names and more underground artists. I doubt there is anyone who has heard them all, not all are going to be to everyone’s taste, but the fact that they have been created at all and have managed to resonate with an audience – however small – is important.

Happy listening and hopefully discovery, and here’s to a wonderful collection of new albums to hear in 2020!


Mel Allen
    Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – GhosteenNick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Ghosteen
    [Website | Facebook]
    YouTube Link


    Elephant9 – Psychedelic BackfireElephant9 - Psychedelic Backfire
    [Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Patrick Grant – FIELDS AMAZE and other sTRANGE musicPatrick-Grant-Fields-Amaze
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Isildurs Bane & Peter Hammill – In AmazoniaIsildurs Bane & Peter Hammill - In Amazonia
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Jordsjø – NattfiolenJordsjø-Nattfiolen
    [Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Motorpsycho – The CrucibleMotorpsycho-–-The-Crucible
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Opeth – In Cauda VenenumOpeth - In Cauda Venenum
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Xavi Reija – The Sound of the EarthXavi Reija – The Sounds Of The Earth
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Telepath – Mental MutationsTelepath-Mental-Mutations
    [Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    The Tronosonic Experience – II: The Big BlowThe Tronosonic Experiment - The Big Blow
    [Facebook | Soundcloud | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


Tony Colvill
    Grice – One Thousand BirdsGrice - One Thousand Birds
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    The Far Meadow – Foreign LandThe Far Meadow - Foreign Land
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    The Emerald Dawn – NocturneThe Emerald Dawn - Nocturne
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Rosalie Cunningham – Rosalie CunninghamRosalie Cunningham - Rosalie Cunningham
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    We Are Kin – Bruised SkyWe Are Kin - Bruised Sky
    [Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]


    Tom Slatter – DemonTom Slatter - Demon
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Big Big Train – Grand TourBig Big Train - Grand Tour
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    The Gift – AntennaThe Gift - Antenna
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    The Room – Caught by the MachineThe Room - Caught by the Machine
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    This Winter Machine – A Tower of ClocksThis Winter Machine - A Tower of Clocks
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


Shawn Dudley
    Elder – The Gold & Silver SessionsElder - The Gold & Silver Sessions
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Opeth – In Cauda VenenumOpeth - In Cauda Venenum
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Motorpsycho – The CrucibleMotorpsycho-–-The-Crucible
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Monkey3 – SphereMonkey3 - Sphere
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp]
    YouTube Link


    Grotto – Lantern of GiusGrotto - Lantern of Gius
    [Facebook | Bandcamp]
    YouTube Link


    Elephant9 – Psychedelic BackfireElephant9 - Psychedelic Backfire
    [Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Jamie Saft, Steve Swallow, Bobby PreviteJamie Saft, Steve Swallow, Bobby Previte - You Don’t Know the Life
    – You Don’t Know the Life
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp]
    YouTube Link


    The Ivory Elephant – StonefaceThe Ivory Elephant - Stoneface
    [Facebook | Bandcamp]
    YouTube Link


    Gong – The Universe Also CollapsesGong - The Universe Also Collapses
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Swan Valley Heights – The Heavy SeedSwan Valley Heights - The Heavy Seed
    [Website | Facebook]
    YouTube Link


Rob Fisher
    Damanek – In FlightDamanek-In-Flight
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]


    Marek Arnold and Manuel Schmidt – ZeitenManuel-Scmid-Marek-Arnold-Zeiten
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    ART – AsylumArt - Asylum
    [Website | Facebook]
    YouTube Link


    T – SolipsystemologyT-Solipsystemology
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Thank You Scientist – TerraformerTYS-Terraformer
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Freedom to Glide – SeedFreedomToGlideSeed
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Lebowski – GalacticaLebowski - Galactica
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp]
    YouTube Link


    Chasing the Monsoon – Chasing the MonsoonChasing the Monsoon - No Ordinary World
    [Website | Facebook | Instagram | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Seven Steps to the Green Door – The?LieSeven Steps to the Green Door
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Electric Asturias – TrinityElectric Asturias - Trinity
    [Facebook]
    YouTube Link


Andrew Halley
    District 97 – ScreensDistrict 97 - Screens
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    IZZ – Don’t PanicIZZ - Don't Panic
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    The Divine Comedy – Office PoliticsThe Divine Comedy - Office Politics
    [Website | Facebook]
    YouTube Link


    Dream Theater – Distance Over TimeDream Theater - Distance Over Time
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Bent Knee – You Know What They MeanBent Knee - You Know What I Mean
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Cheeto’s Magazine – AmazingousCheeto's Magazine - Amazingous
    [Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Magic Pie – Fragments of the 5th ElementMagic Pie - Fragments of the 5th Element
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    IQ – ResistanceIQ - Resistance
    [Website | Facebook | Instagram | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Flying Colors – Third DegreeFlying Colors - Third Degree
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


Bob Mulvey
    AVA – WavesAVA - Waves
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    The Blackheart Orchetra – MesmerantoThe Blackheart Orchetra - Mesmeranto
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Neil Campbell – Last Year’s NewsNeil Campbell - Last Year's News
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    concrete concrete – Drifterconcrete concrete - Drifter
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Dandelion Charm – Maybe DreamersDandelion Charm - Maybe Dreamers
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review (coming soon)]
    YouTube Link


    Esthema – IVEsthema – IV
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Antoine Fafard – Borromean OdysseyAntoine Fafard - Borromean Odyssey
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Organic Noises – Organic NoisesOrganic Noises - Organic Noises
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Sonar with David Torn – Tranceportation (Volume 1)Sonar with David Torn - Tranceportation
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Thank You Scientist – TerraformerThank You Scientist - Terraformer
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


Jez Rowden
    Afenginn – KlingraAfenginn - Klingra
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Thieves’ Kitchen – Genius LociThieves' Kitchen - Genius Loci
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]


    Lost Crowns – Every Night Something HappensLost Crowns - Every Night Something Happens
    [Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Leprous – PitfallsLeprous - Pitfalls
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    A Formal Horse – Here Comes a Man from A Formal Horse - Here Comes a Man from the Council with a Flamethrower
    the Council with a Flamethrower
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp]


    Charlie Cawood – Blurring Into MotionCharlie Cawood - Blurring Into Motion
    [Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Magma – ZëssMagma - Zess
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Opeth – In Cauda VenenumOpeth - In Cauda Venenum
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Emmett Elvin – The End of MusicEmmett Elvin - The End of Music
    [Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    The Bob Lazar Story – VanquisherThe Bob Lazar Story - Vanquisher
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


Graham Thomas
    Bryan Beller – Scenes from the FloodBryan Beller - Scenes from the Flood
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Big Big Train – Grand TourBig Big Train - Grand Tour
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    The Flower Kings – Waiting for MiraclesThe Flower Kings - Waiting for Miracles
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Opeth – In Cauda VenenumOpeth - In Cauda Venenum
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Flying Colors – Third DegreeFlying Colors - Third Degree
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    United Progressive FraternityUnited Progressive Fraternity – Planetary Overload
    – Planetary Overload, Part 1: Loss
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    IQ – ResistanceIQ - Resistance
    [Website | Facebook | Instagram | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Kaprekar’s Constant – Depth of Fieldkaprekar's constant - depth of field
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    District 97 – ScreensDistrict 97 - Screens
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Isildurs Bane & Peter Hammill – In AmazoniaIsildurs Bane & Peter Hammill - In Amazonia
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


Roger Trenwith
    Lost Crowns – Every Night Something HappensLost Crowns - Every Night Something Happens
    [Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    The Hedvig Mollestad Trio – Smells FunnyThe Hedvig Mollestad Trio - Smells Funny
    [Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    The Eclectic Maybe BandThe Eclectic Maybe Band - Reflection in a Mœbius Ring Mirror
    – Reflection in a Mœbius Ring Mirror
    [Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]


    North Sea Radio Orchestra – Folly BololeyNorth Sea Radio Orchestra - Folly Bololey
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Flying Lotus – FlamagraFlying Lotus - Flamagra
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Elephant9 – Psychedelic BackfireElephant9 - Psychedelic Backfire
    [Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Charlie Cawood – Blurring Into MotionCharlie Cawood - Blurring Into Motion
    [Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Emmett Elvin – The End of MusicEmmett Elvin - The End of Music
    [Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    A Formal Horse – Here Comes a Man from A Formal Horse - Here Comes a Man from the Council with a Flamethrower
    the Council with a Flamethrower
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp]


    Michael Kiwanuka – KiwanukaMichael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka
    [Website | Facebook]
    YouTube Link


Leo Trimming
    Kaprekar’s Constant – Depth of Fieldkaprekar's constant - depth of field
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Tony Patterson & Doug Melbourne – The DivideTony Patterson & Doug Melbourne - The Divide
    [Website | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Franck Carducci – The AnswerFranck Carducci - The Answer
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Bjørn Riis – A Storm is ComingBjorn Riis - A Storm is Coming
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Cosmograf – Mind Over DepthCosmograf - Mind Over Depth
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    This Winter Machine – A Tower of ClocksThis Winter Machine - A Tower of Clocks
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Rise – StrangersRise - Strangers
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Leprous – PitfallsLeprous - Pitfalls
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    How Far to Hitchin – Black Bead EyeHow Far to Hitchin - Black Bead Eye
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]


    Lee Abraham – ComatoseLee Abraham - Comatose
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


James R. Turner
    no-man – Love You to Bitsno-man - Love You Lots
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Tim Bowness – Flowers at the SceneTim Bowness - Flowers at the Scene
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Sofia Talvik – Paws of a BearSofia Talvik - Paws of a Bear
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp]
    YouTube Link


    Rise – StrangersRise - Strangers
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    The Kentish Spires – SprezzaturaKentish Spires - Sprezzatura
    [Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Kaprekar’s Constant – Depth of Fieldkaprekar's constant - depth of field
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Broken Parachute – Living DangerouslyBroken Parachute - Living Dangerously
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    She Makes War – and PeaceShe Makes War - and Peace
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp]


    Emily Breeze – RitualsEmily Breeze - Rituals
    [Facebook | Bandcamp]
    YouTube Link


    Anytown – Year by YearAnytown - Year by Year
    [Facebook | Bandcamp]
    YouTube Link


John Wenlock-Smith
    Lucy In Blue – In FlightLucy In Blue - In Flight
    [Facebook | Bandcamp]
    YouTube Link


    The Mute Gods – Atheists & BelieversThe Mute Gods - Atheists & Believers
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Kinetic Element – Face of LifeKinetic Element - Face of Life
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Flying Colors – Third DegreeFlying Colors - Third Degree
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    The Room – Caught by the MachineThe Room - Caught by the Machine
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Big Big Train – Grand TourBig Big Train - Grand Tour
    [Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Marillion – With Friends from the OrchestraMarillion - With Friends from the Orchestra
    [Website | Facebook]
    YouTube Link


    Steve Hackett – At the Edge of LightSteve Hackett - At the Edge of Light
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    Yes – From A PageYes - From A Page
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link


    The Flower Kings – Waiting for MiraclesThe Flower Kings - Waiting for Miracles
    [Website | Facebook | TPA Review]
    YouTube Link