PHOTOGRAPH: LOUIE BANKS. STYLING: BILLY LOBOS THE BEGINNING ...

The unconventional instrumentation favoured by Tortoise is an indicator of how many different lineups have always jostled for space under the jazz umbrella. The national treasure that is The Pete Alle

What an incredible 2025 it’s been in the world of prog. This year, we’ve taken a different approach to our Critics’ Choice and instead of printing our writers’ Top 20 lists, we’ve pooled them to create a definitive Top 50 with profile pieces on some of the key players. Did your favourite make the cut? We look forward to reading your thoughts on the results.

THE FASHION DESIGNER WHO HAS RUN HER OWN BRAND FOR OVER THREE DECADES HAS FOUND A NEW WAY TO EXPRESS HERSELF THROUGH A THERAPIST-STYLE CULT PODCAST SERIES. SHE TELLS HANNAH NATHANSON WHY IT’S ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS SHE’S EVER DONE

With the release of her eighth album, Can’t Take My Story Away , roots star Elles Bailey talks fame, vanity, mental health and the childhood trauma behind her smoke ’n’ honey battle cry.

Since they drifted into our world a few years ago, EBB have gone from strength to strength and on their hotly anticipated second album, The Mirror , the Scotland-based collective have flexed their muscles even further.