The month’s best guitar music – a hand-picked selection of the finest fretwork on wax

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.

QUEEN PRODUCTIONS/PRESS Freddie Mercury Mr Bad Guy UNIVERSAL ...

This year has seen some huge reissue campaigns, with long-awaited cuts from Pink Floyd, Genesis, Rush, Mike Oldfield and many more all getting the deluxe treatment. We’ve collated our writers’ favourites to create a list of the Top 20 Best Reissues from 2025. Read on!

PRESS Gluecifer Same Drug New High STEAMHAMMER Bringing ...

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