Happy New Year!
As ever, a host of wonderful releases have floated the TPA team’s boats throughout 2025, underlining the sheer quality of music still emerging from our corner of the Audioverse. It may be a niche realm, but the breadth of sounds that qualify for inclusion makes for an enthralling collective listen as the TPA scribes gather once again to offer you a few worm‑hole selections to disappear into as we head into early ’26.
Below you’ll find picks from several of the TPA writers, each highlighting the albums that earned their personal nod this year, complete with links to the TPA reviews and/or Bandcamp and YouTube (wherever possible) so you can dive in. As you might expect, some artists crop up more than once, others only once, but every selection is well worth your time, and there’s plenty more out there to discover.
Once again, TPA has teamed up with Tony Rowsick’s Prog‑Watch radio show available to stream or download from Progzilla Radio, for a two‑part roundup featuring many of the releases listed below.
Here’s to 2026 continuing the trend of fantastic music. Rest assured, TPA will be paying close attention to see how it measures up…
IQ – Dominion
This ranks with the best of IQ’s output, effortlessly transporting us from grandiose visions and existential dread to intimate soundscapes of heart-stopping sweetness and delicacy. And with every note carrying a powerful emotional charge, Peter Nicholls has never been in finer voice.
Deposed King – Letters To An Unknown Past
This Hungarian duo has an unerring flair for creating hauntingly immersive musical landscapes that evoke a shadowy region between dreams and reality. The standard of vocal and instrumental performance remains unobtrusively excellent throughout the album, blending cinematic post rock with elements of progressive and art rock to take us on a profound emotional voyage.
Gazpacho – Magic 8-Ball
This intense and darkly compelling treat of an album features expressive vocals, emotively melancholy melodies, exquisite instrumental soundscapes and some of the most enthralling keyboards I’ve heard this year. The music is mysterious, subtle and introspective, with a mesmerising beauty that creeps under the skin, revealing more addictive delights with repeated listening.
Tribe3 – Life Amongst Strangers
Rising stars from Wales, Tribe3’s atmospheric and impactful style of prog rests on superb musicianship and an original and distinctive musical imagination. Lush symphonic soundscapes, intelligent and thought-provoking lyrics and gloriously memorable melodies combine to create an immersive and rewarding listening experience.
Lunatic Soul – The World Under Unsun
This stunning conclusion to Mariusz Duda’s Lunatic Soul cycle feels like a journey into the human soul, exposing all its doubts, fears and hopes. Trying to pick a stand-out track makes me appreciate how this album is conceived as an organic whole, with the sequence of tracks generating a dynamic ebb and flow of tension and reflection which only achieves resolution in the sublime final track.
Grace Hayhurst – The World Is Dying
A bleak world vision with a scintillating and compelling soundtrack; the work of one woman, Grace Hayhurst, assisted on thunderous drums by Robin Johnson from Kyros. Shades of Porcupine Tree and Haken, but moulded into her own unique soundscape. The best debut album I’ve heard all year.
Cardiacs – LSD
Recordings started by Tim Smith, and lovingly completed after his passing, LSD is way better than anyone had the right to expect. It remains true to the spirit of a unique band, and is as eclectic, wilful and wonderful as ever.
Karmakanic – Transmutation
Jonas Reingold assembles an all star cast to perform the best collection of songs he’s yet put together, and the masterstroke is persuading John Mitchell to sing the bulk of the lead vocals. Timeless Swedish classic prog performed flawlessly.
EBB – The Mirror
The second full length release from EBB, and an album they have been performing live for the last few months. Road testing the material has resulted in an album honed to perfection, with amazing attention to every detail. EBB show no sign of letting up and are destined for great things.
Nick Fletcher – The Mask of Sanity
Probably Nick’s best solo collection to date, an exhilarating and beautiful journey through the realms of jazz prog, inspired by the writings of Carl Jung, with some stunning lead guitar and exemplary supporting musicians. A special mention for Dikajee for her mesmeric vocals on several tracks.
Bioscope – Gentō
My overall favourite album of 2025. A musical extravaganza with the most ethereal, beautiful and calming music! This is sensory ambient music to listen to, with headphones on, and with no interruptions! Although both Steve Rothery and Thorsten Quaeschning (collectively here as Bioscope) are both in well-established groups (Marillion and Tangerine Dream, respectively), their pairing and unique contributions they provide to the music is subtle, moving, and elegant. The result is pure musical bliss and rapture. I adore this album.
Jakko Jakszyk – Son of Glen
Intensely personal and emotionally moving. I listened to this album nonstop for weeks, and it became a healing place for me and helped me reconcile some of my past, which it also did for the artist. Musically ambitious and courageous with gorgeous vocals and superb overall musicality, it complements his recently published autobiography seamlessly.
Finally George – Painter
The third release by this artist and, in my opinion, his best. Painter shows a mature artist in full control of his muse. Gorgeous guitar and keyboards, as well as stellar vocals, make this a top album for me. The track, Something New, could easily be mistaken for a Neil Young song. Should easily be in people’s top ten albums for the end-of-year lists.
Lars Fredik Frøislie – Gamle Mester
Unapologetic, brimming with that 1970s feel and sound, Lars unleashes some Norwegian winter magic with a retro vibe. This is a brilliant album that haunts and beckons the listener to look at past masters in music or the arts with keen appreciation and respect. Sung in his native tongue, Lars created an absolute masterpiece of progressive music.
Dim Gray – Shards
From the moment they released their first album, 2020’s Flown, the uniqueness of this band was on full display. 2025 Shards continues with that fresh organic pop feel, with ever-expanding musical landscapes, and exquisite vocal harmonies. This band is registering with listeners not only in the prog world but the alternative and indie rock world as well. Brilliant young band.
Steven Wilson – The Overview
No surprise here. His best work in a decade. It manages to encapsulate his entire career without repeating any of it.
Echolyn – TimeSilentRadio II
Echolyn is a band that consistently manages to release amazingly beautiful music that ages like fine wine.
Karmakanic – Transmutation
Jonas Reingold has released a bold, mature album that shows his growth as both musician and songwriter.
Dave Bainbridge – On The Edge (Of What Could Be)
This album is the emotional, beating heart of prog. Beautifully rendered music to make the angels jealous.
The Guildmaster – Gathering Of Souls
Outstanding musicians and songwriters coming together to create truly progressive music which weaves a spell and takes you where it will. Simply magnificent.
IQ – Dominion
IQ return with Dominion six years after 2019’s Resistance. From the opening resonant fanfare of the epic The Unknown Door right to the triumphant end of Never Land it is clear that IQ have produced an album of great quality which simultaneously enchants and excites musically whilst also touching the heart. Stamped with IQ’s distinctive style, this album also positively shimmers with bright optimism. Sounding fresh and invigorated, IQ sound better than ever and appear to be a band with a lot more to give in their twilight years, with many more Unknown Doors to open.
One of the best progressive rock albums of 2025? Well, obviously!
Indeed, Dominion deserves to be regarded as one of the best albums of their long career.
Gazpacho – Magic 8-Ball
After a 5-year hiatus Gazpacho return with Magic 8-Ball, based on the concept of chance and fate. These Norwegian artists now focus on more concise pieces in contrast to the sprawling dark epic grandeur of Fireworker. However, Gazpacho have lost none of their sense of thoughtful introspection, and their ability to make insightful observations within fascinating musical frames.
Magic 8-Ball is a beautifully realised triumph of concise poetic and moving songs, filled with beguiling melodies, stirring rock sequences, fascinating lyrical themes and exquisite songwriting. There’s every chance that in Magic 8-Ball Gazpacho will rightfully be considered to have released one of the best albums of 2025.
Lunatic Soul – The World Under Unsun
The World Under Unsun is the final instalment in Lunatic Soul’s series of albums focused on the balance between Life and Death. The album is grand in scale and ambition with a wide-ranging musical palette. Mariusz Duda of Riverside has created a remarkably cohesive musical narrative full of high-quality song writing, impressive musicianship and emotional integrity.
The synthesis of organic folk influences with more electronic or rock influences is seamless and the whole album flows smoothly and naturally… a truly impressive end to the ‘Life and Death’ cycle of albums.
Tribe3 – Life Amongst Strangers
Tribe3 have somehow surpassed their wonderful eponymous debut album. ‘Life Amongst Strangers’ is imbued with an authentic sense of emotion and insight into how the human mind works. Musically and lyrically, this is a remarkably realised collection of songs which stimulates the mind and touches the heart. ‘Life Amongst Strangers’ is epic and cinematic, whilst also being tragically romantic and narratively fascinating.
Indeed, it is all these things and more, but ultimately this album is always compelling. ‘Life Amongst Strangers’ will justifiably be considered to be one of the best melodic progressive rock albums of this year.
Chimpan A – Music Is Art Volume 1
Chimpan A features Robert reed of Magenta and Cyan, with high class vocalist Steve Balsamo, and their approach this new album was:
‘There are no rules – the only rule is that it has to move us’.
Those words totally sums up Music Is Art Vol.1. There are no boundaries and no set agendas about style. Balsamo and Reed are musical magpies, borrowing elements and bright trinkets of sounds from anywhere and combining them into even better and moving pieces of music. Make no assumptions about Chimpan A or this album, just go with the flow.
Music Is Art Vol.1 has an ambitious scope encompassing a range of styles, and an additional disc of different mixes and some incredible cover versions of iconic songs by such greats as Peter Gabriel, The Hollies, Carole King and Jimmy Webb. Music Is Art Vol.1 is simply magnificent and achingly beautiful – a triumph of sublime genre bending and blending, created with consummate skill and soaked in touching emotions.
Spriggan Mist – The Glare
The Spriggs moved up a division with this release; adventurous, melodic, and exciting. They remained true to their pagan prog roots and expanded their audience.
Big Big Train – Are We Nearly There Yet?
Lead singer Alberto Bravin has fully embraced Greg Spawton’s storytelling approach to melodic prog. The band have developed into a main concert attraction, as evidenced on their latest live album.
Rocking Horse Music Club – The Last Pink Glow
All seven RHMC members are studio session musicians, creating music ranging across baroque and chamber pop, gospel, fusion, indie folk, and art rock. Mix it all together, and you get brilliant prog rock, especially as there’s a guest appearance from the legendary Tony Banks on The Haunted Life; his melodic touch is beautiful.
Cosmograf – The Orphan Epoch
Robin Armstrong continues to produce excellent new music from his home studio under the banner of Cosmograf. This year’s album put his own imprint on influences such as Radiohead and Pink Floyd, with his own take on songwriting and heavy guitar riffs added to the mix.
Dave Kerzner & Sonic Elements – IT: A Celebration Of The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
As well as the 50th anniversary box from Genesis themselves, this year we had two outstanding covers of the whole Lamb double album – one from Nick D’Virgilio of Big Big Train, and this ambitious and mostly highly successful reimagining by Dave Kerzner.
IQ – Dominion
Forty Four years after their formation, legendary neo-prog stalwarts IQ have produced a simply stunning release that stands up there with their greatest achievements. From its triumphant opening fanfare through to its beautiful, atmospheric close, the album is full of epic progressive soundscapes mingled with delicate, emotional touches, displaying the full range of Mike Holmes’ compositional talents and the band’s breathtaking musicality. Peter Nicholls’ vocals have never sounded better, and they deliver his poetic and evocative lyrics wonderfully. That haunting signature IQ sound remains, but there is both poignancy and an uplifting sense of hope amongst the dark strands that make this album such a satisfying listen and undoubtedly one of the best prog releases of the year.
Solstice – Clann
The rejuvenated Solstice have completed the Sia trilogy of recent albums with the wonderful release of Clann. Possibly the most uplifting and life-affirming album of the year, with Andy Glass and the band creating a swirling, intertwining mix of prog rock, jazz fusion, Celtic-folk and even funk. Andy’s guitar lines are as sumptuous as ever, with Jenny Newman’s evocative violin and Jess Holland’s joyous vocals lovely to hear. With intricate ensemble instrumentation and vibrant backing harmonies from the rest of the band, it has been an absolute joy to listen to this album throughout the year, and it always raises a smile!
The Wood Demons – In Rabbits & Corners
The Wood Demons have really found their voice with this excellent follow up to ‘Angels of Peckham Rye’ – enhancing their progressive, psychedelic and Canterbury musical style, whilst not losing their unique merging of folk, classical and art rock elements. This is a mature and coherent work of dazzling musicianship, lyrical depth, a cinematic scope and beautifully crafted songs that engage you fully in a truly holistic way. Naomi Belshaw’s atmospheric violin and Simon Carbery’s vocals and guitar shine brightly, but Rick Startin, John Silver and Ed Kontargyris also excel – with compositions both simple and accessible, and yet wonderfully complex and challenging as well.
EBB – The Miror
A stunning album from Erin Bennett and the band. Only released a few weeks ago, but deservedly straight into my top album list with a bullet! A wonderfully mature album mixing prog, art rock, psychedelia and classic rock into a powerful and emotional concoction, with songs of self-discovery and self-reflection that flow so well together. Erin’s lead vocals and driving guitar riffs propel the music, but the whole band help create truly progressive and eclectic soundscapes, especially Nikki Francis’s evocative keyboards. Their live stagecraft has always impressed, but this release demonstrates the quality of their compositional and musical interplay in the studio as well!
Nick Fletcher – The Mask Of Insanity
Another extraordinary solo release by Nick Fletcher, the virtuosic guitarist from the John Hackett Band. Inspired by the writings of Carl Jung, Nick presents seven wonderfully diverse tracks mixing vibrant jazz fusion, with prog, driving classic rock and more atmospheric, classical/ambient sounds. Supported by a cast of talented musicians, including the amazing polyrhythms of Roberto Porta, and cameo appearances by Big Big Train’s Clare Lindley on violin and Dikajee’s ethereal vocals, Nick’s expressive fretboard skills dazzle throughout. 5 albums in as many years and the quality is undiminished.
Andrew Latimer – War Stories
For me the biggest surprise of 2025 is the (first!) solo album from Camel guitarist/founder Andrew Latimer. A roughly 50-minute suite was released without much fanfare, and so far only in digital format. His recognizable lyrical guitar style remains unparalleled.
Rick Wakeman – Melancholia
Rick Wakeman also delighted us with a new fully acoustic studio album, filled with mostly melancholy original work at his beloved concert grand piano. Thanks to Mrs. Wakeman for providing the inspiration.
Steven Wilson – The Overview
Admittedly, it took me a little while to get used to, but attending Steven Wilson’s concerts ultimately convinced me. Upon closer inspection/listening, the new album turns out to be a masterpiece.
Matteo Mancuso – The Journey
First genuine solo album by guitar prodigy child Matteo Mancuso from Italy. Huge talent on six strings, impressive technique but also lots of ‘feel’, the future of fusion/jazzrock guitar is here!
Leap Day – When Gravity Wins
Positively surprised by new work from quintessential Dutch band Leap Day. They once again deliver an extremely enjoyable album full of beautiful melodies and superb interplay between keyboards and guitar.
Andrew Latimer – War Stories
Haunting, beautiful and melancholic, Latimer’s release of this album from the vaults combines the talents of the late Guy LeBlanc and current keyboardist Peter Jones. Latimer’s trademark guitar work is there, as usual, even if slightly more restrained, and the textures and atmosphere are exquisite. A long-awaited treat for Camel fans, which, hopefully, will make it onto CD next year.
IQ – Dominion
IQ are back to their best after the slightly disappointing Resistance, with this latest, which is, I think, comparable to The Road of Bones. Everything IQ fans have come to expect and hope for from the band is once again evident. The 22-minute epic The Unknown Door and brooding No Dominion are highlights.
Jethro Tull – Curious Ruminant
The third in a string of late-career releases from a creatively energised Ian Anderson, this effort may even have bettered 2022’s excellent The Zealot Gene. Drawing on everything that has made Tull great over the years, this album is a richly melodic piece of prog/folk rock which celebrates all the band does well. The Tipu House and the title track are the stand outs.
Gleb Kolyadin – Mobula
Gleb continues to take my breath away with his piano playing and this time, with his latest solo release, he presents the listener with 14 short pieces backed by the percussion of Evan Carson. The album is reflective, combining classical, folk and prog in a way that is at once new but also unmistakably Gleb.
Mostly Autumn – Seawater
Another fine effort. Along with its predecessor, Graveyard Star, the band have found new textures and directions in which to take their brand of folk-driven prog and the performances are, as you would expect, superb. The 20-minute title track alone is well worth hearing.
Obiymy Doschu – Vidrada
Rather than guiding you toward a fixed destination, Vidrada creates a space where contradictory emotions coexist without any need for explanation. Joy and poignancy, hope and loss exist simultaneously in the same musical space. The music doesn’t simply move you; it stops you in your tracks and reminds you what it means to be fully, messily, beautifully human.
Andrew Latimer – War Stories
After twenty-three years of silence, War Stories marks Latimer’s return to recording and stands as his definitive statement on what it means to endure, survive separation, and finally find your way back home. Looking back over the Camel discography, I think in many ways, this is the work he’s been composing his entire life. For me, it stands as one of progressive rock’s most profoundly moving achievements.
Raphael Weinroth-Browne – Lifeblood
If you truly let Lifeblood seep into your soul and surrender to its musical entanglements rather than simply observing them, it moves you in ways words can’t capture. The inner resonance the music creates is passionate and powerful. In a world of disposable listening, here’s a magnificent achievement that still believes music can and does speak to the very foundations of our existence.
Whispers Of Granite – Liquid Stone
The music transforms the metaphor of ‘liquid stone’ into a reality across the eight tracks on this enchanting album. There are moments when our barricades dissolve into something fluid, more capable of change, pulsing with life’s warmth even in the depths of uncertainty. This is music offering not just a soundtrack of our disconnection, but the genuine possibility of reconnection, one vulnerable note at a time.
The Flower Kings – Love
Love coaxes and lifts our spirits with a sense of rich completion. Yet this richness comes from understanding love’s considerations remain with us across a lifetime. The sprightly nuance of the music is a timely reminder that, in a world of walls and limits, walking alongside each other as fellow travellers shows us ways to be better tomorrow than we are today.
This late entry to the fray was delayed because in the week I would have submitted this nonsense, I was struck down by flu, and then Xmas came along, so it got sidelined!
Not that my opinion counts for anything except in my head but here’s my top albums of 2025…
Cardiacs – LSD
I usually caveat these lists with the preface “in no particular order”, but this beaut breaks the tape yards in front of the opposition! Frankly it amazes me that only my colleague Graham Thomas mentions it in his list. This thing is actually progressive, in the true sense of the word!
LSD is a glorious musical feast, finally seeing the light of day after years of piecemeal and painstaking assembly by Jim Smith and Kavus Torabi, with most mixes run past Tim Smith for approval, before his untimely demise. Deserving of mention are some wonderful new brass and string arrangements from the immensely talented Craig Fortnam. However, perhaps the bravest people on this record are the vocalists who stepped into Tim’s shoes where his vocals had not been recorded, without somehow resorting to parody. Step forward Mike Vennart, and Rose-Ellen Kemp! I salute you both for your powerhouse performances.
As most of you reading this are dyed-in-the-wool proggies, you may find Cardiacs music sometimes impenetrable, but fear not! LSD is a less dense production, and is more open, and doesn’t max the high end as Tim was wont to do. As such it is a more accessible beastie than past albums. I urge the sceptics among you to give it a go, it’s not like you need a massive IQ to get into it (heheh…)! It is a treat for your ears and if you like adventurous, nay psychedelic music, you will be carried away, possibly by the lysergic kangaroo featured on the cover. The packaging of the vinyl edition is simply gorgeous too, as if the music wasn’t enough. Eleventy three out of ten! 🙂
OK, gushing over. The rest of this list is indeed in no particular order!
The Cure – Songs Of A Lost World
In which Robert Smith muses on mortality and loss in the manner only he can do. This is not a happy record, yet it is strangely upbeat and musically uplifting, the juxtaposition to Bob’s paeans to existential angst resulting in real emotion, something sometimes lacking in their less mature early gloomfests.
Inspired by the loss of several relatives in the 16 years since the previous album, including his brother, Smith has never been this visceral, this personal, this real. If these lyrics do not move you, check your soul is still fluttering. Musically, the keyboards, especially the piano work, and the occasional sometimes furious, sometimes lyrical interjections by Reeves Gabrels’ guitar make for a compelling listen, and there can be no doubt that this is The Cure’s best album in decades.
As I am writing this late in the day, further loss has been heaped on Smith and the band with the sad death of guitarist and keyboard player Perry Bamont, who while he was not on the album played at its live recording at The Troxy in London, which was released as a companion to the studio album last month.
Robert Smith has said there are several as yet unrecorded or unreleased songs, but whether these will ever see the light of day is moot, given everything that has gone down. If Songs Of A Lost World is to be their last album, it is a tremendous way to sign off a singular and always wilful career.
Lost Crowns – The Heart Is In The Body
If their debut Every Night Something Happens came out of left-field, zooming at our ears like a lightning bolt, then the long-awaited follow-up made that odd creature sound like a Showaddywaddy album. To say this is a difficult listen is an understatement but also a compliment. Sometimes one needs a temporal shift that only a weird fish like this can provide.
Speaking of fish, they live in the sea, and some of this album sounds like a soundtrack to mutiny on a lumbering old brig, the rebellion powered by psychotropics and off-kilter hornpipes. Richard Larcombe is the chap in charge of this mental crew, and what goes on in his head will and should always remain a mystery.
Metaphorically, The Heart Is In The Body is still running up and down my street knocking the bins over and generally being a nuisance.
TPA Review | TPA’s interview with Richard Larcombe | Bandcamp Link
North Sea Radio Orchestra – Special Powers
As if Craig Fortnam hasn’t had all his time taken up by his heavy involvement in Cardiacs’ LSD, his band also released this splendiforous effort in 2025. For those who don’t know, North Sea Radio Orchestra is a mostly acoustic chamber pop band with touches of classical and jazz, that like to play gigs in the perfectly suited surrounds of old churches. The opening instrumental track Mansions In Eternity sums up their…err…special powers perfectly. A gossamer-delicate intro builds to Steve Reichian circular crescendo, and swoops around like a flock of starlings. Absolutely gorgeous!
They also have perfectly constructed songs, some of which, like Lost Crowns, also draw on the sea shanty, but in a far more conventional manner. I defy you not to sing along with second track Hearty. Try it while cooking. 🙂
Waldo’s Gift – Malcolm’s Law
I first heard this captivating band at 2025’s final Portals Festival. The Bristol collective’s compelling speed guitar jazz fusion otherworldly racket meant I just had to get their latest, the wild’n’wacky Malcom’s Law. In a typically contrary fashion, the vinyl plays at 45rpm. If, as I did, you played five minutes of it at 33⅓ you might be fooled into thinking “ah, they speed it up live”, but not so!
As it turns out, the album was actually recorded live, and is a mash-up of a whole heap of styles, all led by Alun Elliott-Williams’ scorching geetar wrangling. Imagine if John McLaughlin was beamed down from 1972, given access to all of today’s technology, and got to play lead in a fusion band led by Flying Lotus, with synths and beats by Floating Points. That’s a start! It’s progressive rock Jim, but not as we know it.
With more effects pedals than is probably healthy, the guitar shoots off into space, joined in the trip by all manner of triggered sounds, and a rhythm section as tight as a nut. Glorious! Thankfully they do slow down occasionally for a breather, as on Jellyfish. They’re playing the 100 Club on 14th January and are well worth seeing!
And that’s it for 2025 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 2026!
