Happy New Year!
Hopefully 2023 treated you well. In most respects it was a step further along the road to getting back to whatever normal is/was, but the world still feels like a different place these days.
Jez Rowden’s opening for TPA’s 2023 SOTBO round-up.
Well, 2024 definitely felt like a different place as we sadly and unexpectedly lost Jez in March of last year. Those who knew Jez will remember a warm, witty and truly genuine man. We all miss him dearly…
Jez looked forward to compiling the annual ‘Best of’ – so, barring some datal & factual tweaks and with a break in tradition where we have randomised the order of the TPA scribblers positions, to appease the ‘alphabetically challenged’ – his intro from 2023 seems like the perfect way to introduce this year’s roundup…
As ever, a host of wonderful releases have floated the TPA team’s boats during 2024, underlining the quality of the music that continues to be produced in our corner of the Audioverse. It may be somewhat niche, but the vast array of sounds that qualify for inclusion make for an enthralling collective listen as the TPA scribes come together to hopefully provide you with some worm-hole selections to disappear into for your listening pleasure in early ’25.
Herein you fill find five selections each to give our pick of the year’s releases, 61 albums getting the nod, with links to the TPA Review and/or Bandcamp/YouTube so that you can have a listen. Some artists occur on multiple lists, others don’t, but they’re all great, so dive in and give them a go as a small selection of the fine music that has been produced around the world in the last twelve months. There’s plenty more to enjoy!
Once again, TPA has linked up with Tony Rowsick’s Prog-Watch radio show, available to stream or download from Progzilla Radio, for a two-part round up of a number of the releases included below.
We are sure 2025 will carry on the trend for fantastic music, and TPA will be paying keen attention to find out if it measures up…
Kavus Torabi – The Banishing
If ever that over-used reviewers’ word cathartic applies, it’s to this album of soul-bearing.
Samana – Samana
A delightful trip into the subconscious, Rebecca’s gorgeous alto transports the listener to another place, deep within the soul.
Tim Bowness – Powder Dry
Tim pushes the envelope nearer to the edge of the desk with his most experimental, not to say thrilling album in years!
Oranssi Pazazu – Muuntautuja
From the depths of Mordor, well, Finland actually, comes this strange dark beast. That the singer is growling, and in Finnish, makes this record the stuff of impressionistic nightmares. Marvellous!
Frost* – Life In The Wires
A double concept album, what could be more prog than that? This album is the pinnacle of Frost*’s wonderful discography, taking all that went before and mixing it to make something truly outstanding. It is not just my album of the year, but it is already cemented as one of my favourite records of all time. Superb and unmissable.
Beardfish – Songs For Beating Hearts
The perfect comeback from the Swedish prog maestros, a mellower and more mature sound that works as well as any 70s prog classic. Timeless and emotional, with songwriting and playing that is off the scale.
Leprous – Melodies Of Atonement
Another emotionally charged record from the Norwegian prog band. Vocalist Einar Solberg has never sounded better on this infectious set of anthemic songs.
Big Big Train – The Likes Of Us
I didn’t know if Big Big Train could match the high points in their catalogue again after so many lineup changes and the tragic passing of David Longdon. They’ve actually managed to make their best album since The Grand Tour, with new vocalist Alberto Bravin, songwriting bass-playing genius Greg Spawton and the rest of the band in top form.
Opeth – The Last Will And Testament
Most people will talk about the growl being back, but this album showcases far more than just that. A concept album that’s essentially a rock opera, with Ian Anderson playing the part of the departed father whose will is being read. It’s as prog as possible, highlighting all the aspects of Opeth’s work across their career. Song – a story never told, as the others might scare some people off and work less well out of context.
Honourable mentions to Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks, David Gilmour and And So I Watch You From Afar.
I have listened to many things throughout the year, several deserving of top-five status. That’s five and not the random conservative number and fence sitting.
Oddleaf – Where Ideal And Denial Collide
First up is the best, the debut album from French purveyors of Symphonic Progressive Rock. Almost perfect – hopefully, I will get the opportunity to meet these wonderful people who made my ears smile at a festival somewhere in 2025.
Big Big Train – The Likes Of Us
Passengers on the train remain, but the quality remains. New horizons, long may it last.
Rosalie Cunningham – To Shoot Another Day
Third album, home studio, not afraid to change, new material, quality remains. I love this lady live in concert.
The Bardic Depths – What We Really Like In Stories
It is a very good album, the first I have felt that the Depths are a band rather than a group of able musicians. The loose concept works for me, plus something to read.
Patchwork Cacophony – Hourglass
Ben Bell is all alone in a shed with a hat. A fine effort that should be heard more widely.
Well, that’s the five; so many more: Swan Chorus; Kite Parade; Marijana Semkina
Circuline – C.O.R.E.
Few releases push all my buttons, and fewer still spend an inordinate amount of time on repeat. Circuline have managed to best themselves with their third album. Prog rock glory, pop-savvy, and stellar musicianship combine to make this my favourite album of 2024.
Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius – Impostor!
Stratospheerius have released an album of social commentary set to irresistible melodies. Deninzon’s violin work is top-notch, but so is the instrumental contribution of his band. Blistering, tender, and stunningly complex, Impostor! covers all the bases that brought me to prog in the first place.
Neal Morse & The Resonance – No Hill For A Climber
Collaborating with fresh, young local talent has sent Neal Morse down previously unexplored paths. No Hill For A Climber concentrates on songcraft. This time around, the instrumental flash is the icing on the cake, not the main course.
Frost* – Life In The Wires
A modern prog masterwork. Jem Godfrey and Co. manage to explore new ground while sounding comfortably familiar.
Big Big Train – The Likes Of Us
Following David Longdon would seem a fool’s errand, but Alberto Bravin succeeds magnificently, particularly in the live context. It feels like he’s always been there, and that is no mean feat.
So much more, but an honourable mention to Viima’s Vaistyy Mielin Yo, which gave us one the year’s best epics with the beautiful Atti Maan Lapset.
Returned To The Earth – Stalagmite Steeple
A heart-wrenching emotional, atmospheric masterpiece of the progressive genre. Robin Peachey’s deep dive into the intensely personal ramifications of ageing through the lens of an elderly couple’s struggles with it and the added ramifications of COVID is so moving and poignant. Like its predecessor, 2022’s Fall Of The Watcher, Stalagmite Steeple is complex and literary and a testament to the utter brilliance of this band.
Blayne Cook – Living Fractal
This release floored me upon hearing it. The stunning vocals, tight arrangements, stellar musicianship, and gorgeous, expressive lyricism about the wonders all around us. And the harmonies with honey-drenched sweetness! Just fabulous! The only drawback is the album’s brevity; I wanted more!
Roland Bühlmann – Figurative
Being a fan of ambient and atmospheric music, such as Tangerine Dream, Mike Oldfield, and Vangelis, I was thrilled to come across the music of multi-instrumentalist Roland Bühlmann. His latest is a cornucopia of eclectic, colourful, unusual soundscapes all vividly fused and realised. This album is very much from the Oldfield school, but it has charming eccentricities along the way.
ESP Project – Silver Waves ~ Astral Dreams
I look forward to each ESP Project release. And they never disappoint. Tony Lowe delivers modern music that touches your heart and soul and provides a healing elixir through his muse. Stellar musicality, production and overall beauty. Silver Waves ~ Astral Dreams is enveloping and warm. Louise Brown’s dreamy, ethereal vocals are from another world. A breathtaking album to be savoured.
Versa – A Voyage / A Destination, Part 2
I found them by chance. Their last album, 2022’s A Voyage / A Destination, specifically the track, Pool of the Naiads, was featured on a progressive music podcast I listen to. I fell in love with their overall retro vibe and unique sound. They remind me of a cross between Big Big Train, Echolyn and King Crimson, with quirky rhythm shifts and gorgeous expressive vocals, all the while playing with such emotion and passion. I love how they use a multitude of instruments, including the oboe and harp, as well as strings and horns, to create this sense of a “long ago time and place”. A worthy follow-up to its predecessor.
Nolan Potter – The Perils Of Being Trapped Inside A Head
He describes himself as a ‘Texas bedroom wizard’, creating eclectic songs of dazzling psychedelic strangeness, and reminds me of ‘A Wizard A True Star’ era Todd Rundgren. This new album carries on where 2021’s Music Is Dead left off, and both are fantastic audio journeys.
IZZ – Collapse The Wave
To quote from my TPA review, “Collapse The Wave is an extraordinary piece of work from an incredibly inventive and imaginative band.” They cover so many styles and influences yet retain their own distinctive sound, and this could well be their best work to date.
Circe Link & Christian Nesmith – Arcana
The unique voice of Circe Link combines with the magic of Christian Nesmith (yes, son of Mike!) as he channels the prog he was brought up listening to. His Seventies influences are undeniable, yet he manages to create a beautiful sonic landscape for the 21st century.
Big Big Train – The Likes Of Us
Their first album with frontman Alberto Bravin was hugely important for the band, and it’s a triumph, with the strongest collection of songs in years. If I had to pick just one album from the year, it would be this.
Kaipa – Sommargryningsljus
Kaipa have to be one of the most reliable prog bands around, and their latest album is a mesmerising piece of work. It’s a record I keep returning to repeatedly – a sure sign of quality.
Big Big Train – The Likes Of Us
I’m sure there will be some reservations about the signals that the more rock-based approach to the arrangements and production may indicate, but they also show that there is so much more to come from the band. It is a classy album from today’s leading proponents of ‘classic’ prog.
The Pineapple Thief – It Leads To This
An exciting new set of songs from the reliable pen of Bruce Soord, brought to life by his excellent band. All of these songs were included in the live set during this year’s tour, a testament to their consistently high quality.
New Ghost – A Dagger In Every Tide
When shoegaze meets prog? It’s not exactly the ‘rhythm of love’, more the ‘rhythm of introspection’. It is rare to encounter music from a completely alien subset or genre that immediately triggers a favourable reaction. This is a beautifully discordant album that stays true to its core elements but also brings in all the right influences to enhance the final product and reach a stunningly high level.
Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks – True
The album is full of life and full of uplifting choruses; it is a joyful listen from start to end, the quality is consistently high, and the balance between originality and Yes-inspiration is delivered to perfection. A maestro at work with fresh inspiration provided by the acolytes of the Band Geeks
Magnum – Here Comes The Rain
Although the songs are, in the main, throwbacks to the sounds of previous eras, they are dynamic and energetic, and have the vibrant spark that the unique combination of Tony and Bob bring to the music. It is an album that stands on its own merits, a proud addition to the Tony Clarkin legacy.
Experience counts this year, and plenty of interesting albums are around, but only a few were on heavy rotation for me.
Here are my most loved albums from this year, in no particular order. Like all best friends, they continue to improve on acquaintance. I have heard each one more times than I’d care to admit, yet each new listening experience reveals fresh delights, surprises and insights.
Returned To The Earth – Stalagmite Steeples
Music has the power to communicate directly with our emotions, transforming grief and pain into something beautiful, uplifting and deeply satisfying. This atmospheric and poignant album achieves just that with its moving and thought-provoking lyrics, richly evocative instrumentals and eloquently expressive vocals. The music is slow-moving, subtle and reflective, but its emotional impact is hard-hitting and intensely powerful.
Meer – Wheels Within Wheels
Meer are eight thrillingly talented musicians from Norway whose music blends elements of folk, pop and prog to create an original and striking sound. Nostalgia, loneliness, existential angst … the current human condition is explored with insight, warmth and a passionate sense of conviction.
Frost* – Life In The Wires
Combining the menace and thrill of Milliontown with moments of heartrending pathos and spine-tingling beauty, this album blew my mind from the first listen. The quality of the musicianship is breathtaking, and the whole listening experience is profoundly immersive and utterly exhilarating.
Big Big Train – The Likes Of Us
This first album from the new-look BBT line-up feels fresh, vibrant and full of the sheer joy of collective music-making. Every song takes us on a journey, be it into the legendary past or the exploration of personal memories, brought to life by dynamic performances that engage directly with our emotions and imagination. The tracks are stylistically diverse, reflecting the musical tastes and talents of this highly talented and multinational band, but retain the engaging melodies, narrative flair and emotional warmth we associate with BBT.
Haven Of Echoes – Memento Vivere
This is a hauntingly beautiful meditation on mortality and the meaning of life, combining elements of progressive metal, art rock and electronica to produce soaring melodies, meltingly emotive harmonies and dark, moody soundscapes. Paul Sadler’s mesmerising vocals boast an extraordinary versatility of register and tone colour, matching the music’s startlingly dramatic contrasts of light and shade, anguish and serenity.
So many wonderful albums this year and many of my favourites I’ve had to leave out, but I think I’ve narrowed it down to these. I’ll send it off now, as I’ll be changing my mind over the next few weeks!!!!
Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks – True
A surprise and welcome return by Jon with an excellent album with the Band Geeks showcasing the durability of his iconic voice and paying homage to the sound of classic Yes in nine new compositions. His best solo album since Olias of Sunhillow, and arguably the best Yes-sounding album for a couple of decades.
Stuckfish – Stuckfish IV
The Northumbrian melodic prog band certainly delivered with their 4th album, with an ambitious and diverse collection of songs showcasing the vocal talents of Phil Stuckey and the guitar of Ade Fisher. Their signature style has been enhanced by their decision to push their musical boundaries as never before.
Oddleaf – Where Ideal And Denial Collide
The impressive debut from the French symphonic prog rock band. They celebrate the classic prog of the 70s with retro instrumentation, but add something new with some lovely compositions and a pastoral influence throughout.
Sonic Tapestry – Into The Sun
The Cheshire melodic prog band certainly hit new heights with their engaging mix of retro-style neo-prog and fresh, accessible and contemporary elements. The discovery of the year for many who saw them triumph at the Prog For Peart festival in the summer.
Ruby Dawn – Blood On Water
A wonderful, contemporary progressive rock album, not afraid to take in elements of classic rock, blues, psych, trance and ambient sounds. A deeply personal and emotional album full of diversity, with Carola Baer’s heart wrenching and poignant vocals and Dave Salsbury’s lyrical guitar, which refreshingly stretches the boundaries of the prog rock genre.
David Gilmour – Luck And Strange
Not yet eighty and the years are showing, but the voice and especially guitar playing have lost none of their strength. Moreover, responsible for concert tour of the year.
Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks – True
He turned eighty this year but what he shows here together with The Band Geeks is nothing short of fantastic. And I shouldn’t really say it but I will anyway: eat out your heart Yes/Steve Howe!
Big Big Train – The Likes of Us
Big Big Train had a hard time after the tragic loss of singer David Longdon but with a new singer and a rejuvenated line-up the band delivers a great new album.
Barock Project – Time Voyager
The first really good album this year came from Barock Project, a truly excellent prog album, forza Zabbini!
Steve Hackett – The Circus And The Nightwhale
Steve Hackett, still going strong, once again surprised us with a great and varied album.
Marco Glühmann – A Fragile Present
Sylvan frontman shows he has the creative talent to go it alone (albeit ably supported by his band, RPWL and Steve Rothery) and construct an album filled with rich melodies and harmonies. Never merely a side project, this album takes much of what is great about Sylvan and points the listener in the direction of Glühmann’s particular interests. Unmissable.
Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks – True
A solid set of tracks supported by the likes of Jonathan Elias and Jimmy Haun (who worked on the Yes Union album), this is a tour de force of many of the best aspects of Anderson’s time in Yes from the late ’60s to the early ’00s. Miles better than the last three Yes studio albums.
Barock Project – Time Voyager
I’m a relative newcomer to this band but the mix of early classical with prog (especially Jethro Tull) is a real joy. The first half of the album in particular is a beautifully crafted set of compositions.
Rick Wakeman – Yessonata
The second solo project from a former Yes member in this list. Two twenty-minute piano medleys of Yes and King Arthur pieces. Very well arranged and constructed and a pleasure to listen to.
Neal Morse & The Resonance – No Hill For A Climber
For twenty-five years I’ve followed Morse in Spock’s Beard, Transatlantic and solo. The recipe doesn’t vary that much, but the execution does. Pilgrim’s Progress, Joseph and The Absolute Universe sit amongst the best of his most recent work. Happily, this latest joins them.
Amarok – Hope
Hope is the remarkable new melodic progressive rock album from the Polish band Amarok. Hope shows a considerable progression from their notable 2021 album Hero. Amarok have stepped up very significantly with their new release, creating a fine album filled with shining, positive lyrics and beautiful sounds.
The Pineapple Thief – It Leads To This
The Pineapple Thief have released a gem of an album full of rich, emotionally laden songs, well-crafted pieces embellished with subtle musical accents and tasteful flourishes. The Pineapple Thief have perfected an engaging formula in which they frame lyrical and musical ideas within relatively concise but imaginative songs. It Leads To This is a superb album, full of succinct, impactful and emotional songs, performed with great skill and intuitive touch by a very talented band.
Pure Reason Revolution – Coming Up To Consciousness
Pure Reason Revolution’s previous expansiveness has been pared back on the more concise Coming Up to Consciousness, placing the emphasis upon impressionistic touches and ashes of musical colour in musical vignettes rather than widescreen overwhelming soundscapes. Impeccable sound design and flawless technique present these musical ideas and intense emotions of loss in crystal clear sonic clarity. This is an engaging album with artful, subtle musical frameworks, poetic lyrics and raw emotion from the heart – what else would you expect from these ‘Bright Ambassadors of Morning’?
Tony Patterson & Doug Melbourne – We’ve Been Expecting You…
We’ve Been Expecting You… is the third album, from Tony Patterson and Doug Melbourne, previously with eminent UK Genesis tribute band, ReGenesis. These high-quality musicians and songwriters have produced yet another outstanding release filled with fascinating lyrical themes, engaging melodies and top-notch musicianship. In some ways reminiscent of 80’s era Peter Gabriel, but sparkling with originality. We’ve Been Expecting You… is another assured and accessible contemporary rock album encompassing various styles, all composed and performed with great elegance and style.
Forgotten Gods – Memories
Forgotten Gods have come out of virtually nowhere to present one of the most genuine and impressive progressive rock debut albums of 2024. Memories is filled with songs full of power and drama, others dripping with touching emotion. This remarkably mature, melodic, dramatic and emotional album, played with great musical skill, is shot through with intuitive musical composition married to poetic and meaningful lyrics, all shining with a sense of real authenticity and truth… and how often can we really say that these days? Forgotten Gods deserve to live long in the memory with Memories.
Fleesh – Dreamension
Dreamension is a glorious album, gratifying in the sheer depths of its poignancy, sublime in the heights of melodic harmonies, remarkable for the intelligence and discernment of its songwriting, and overwhelming in the sheer beauty of its musical expression. It speaks to all our struggles, the stories we tell that help us cope and the courage we find to resist the overwhelming forces which threaten to destroy our world. I lost my heart to this fabulous album.
Nicola Lori – Urban Vision
Nicola Lori’s debut solo album is a work of sublime majestic beauty. The textures which permeate and underpin the music enable a spellbinding exploration of city living and the things we encounter along the way. Alluring atmospheres combine with the most fabulous contributions from Grice, Colin Edwin, Robert Aceto, Andrea Chimenti and Cristiano Roversi to give us a bewitching and seductive musical experience. Top, top-notch and highly recommended.
ESP Project – Silver Waves ~ Astral Dreams
Silver Waves ~ Astral Dreams urges us to lift our eyes above the everyday, yearns to unite us with the wonders of a life which is so much more than we dare to conceive and aspires to infuse that life with a joy and with a happiness, which is always there when we stop, listen and feel the music of love.
Frant1c – A Brand New World
Anne-Claire Rallo’s project bristles with intensity, passion and drama. Above all, it carefully crafts intelligent musical expression to tell a story full of poignancy and emotion. Echoes of the loss of Eric Bouillette provide the creative inspiration for the energy and momentum of the album, whilst a lovingly deft and nuanced handling of wonderful song writing forge a compelling musical adventure.
iCobbles – You’re Not Alone
The debut album from Colin Timpson featuring John Mitchell is a gorgeous selection of poppy dance-rock vignettes with poignant, powerful lyrics. The songwriting is exquisite in the carefully crafted simplicity it uses to deliver elegant musical vistas with profound lyrical payloads. Closing track I Can’t Breathe is compellingly beautiful in its melody. Once you realise, however, the lyrics are referencing the death George Floyd, you begin to understand to compelling force of what this album can do.
Nick Fletcher – A Longing For Home
Making a welcome return to the ‘top five’ is composer and guitarist Nick Fletcher. With a stellar rhythm section featuring drummer Anika Nilles and bassist Jonathon Cuñado, keys by Jan Gunnar Hoff the ‘main’ quartet conjured up a varied and masterful album.
MVI [Mark Vickness Interconnected] – I Will Find My Way
In a third appearance of my personal ‘annual’ choices is acoustic fusion group MVI. With composer/fingerstyle guitarist Mark Vickness (MV) at the helm and an awesome ensemble (I) of ‘seasoned performers and/or session musicians with impressive individual and collaborative résumés, as well as two Grammy Awardees’, they have come up with another truly captivating release…
Gavin Harrison & Antoine Fafard – Perpetual Mutations
Although released late in December 2020, drummer extraordinaire Gavin Harrison and bassist/multi-instrumentalist Antoine Fafard’s, Chemical Reactions was a last minute catch for my top selections for that year. So anticipation for the follow-up was high. Perpetual Mutations turned out to be a different beast, but equally enjoyable and engrossing.
Neil Campbell – The Smoky God
Another artist who is no stranger in the TPA pages and my SOTBO selections each year is composer and multi-instrumentalist Neil Campbell. This year’s choice features his instrumental concept album based around Willis George Emerson’s ‘The Smoky God or a Voyage Journey to the Inner Earth’. Splendid stuff!
Mike Dawes – Galactic Acid
Mike released his third album, Galactic Acid in 2024 – and what a truly absorbing mixture of original tunes and cover versions it is. Covers? Yep… but his arrangements paint a whole different picture! Really? Just take a listen (CLICK HERE) to his version of a ‘classic rock’ track, which coincidentally celebrates it’s 40th anniversary in 2024. Great album…
And that’s it for 2024 folks 🙂
Before parting we would like to take this opportunity to say a huge THANK YOU to all the Artists, Bands, Labels, PR Companies and Promoters and of course YOU our readers for your continued support.
All the very best for 2025!