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

LESTER COHEN / GETTY Lazarus: The Second Coming ...

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

Suicide singer ALAN VEGA was a writer and performer like no other, willing to go to any extreme to force a reaction, whether wonder, hatred or horror. As his key early solo albums re-emerge, his balls, brilliance and bloody-mindedness still blow the mind. As bandmate Martin Rev attests, “Alan was the most totally dedicated artist I’ve ever met.”

Singer/guitarist Marcus King

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.