[2025] Recommended Instrumental Bands in Western Music: Popular Overseas Bands

HyperventilateFrost*

Frost* – Hyperventilate (HD – High Quality)

Frost*’s first opening track.

It’s the first song on an album packed with prog, symphonic, and technical elements—no misses here—and while the tone is intense, the structure is outstanding.

The arrangement unfolds like deciphering a story, so it’s not something you can listen to in the background.

Focus on every single note.

You’ll be drawn in before you know it.

The sonic balance is excellent, too.

Summon The FireThe Comet Is Coming

The Comet Is Coming – Summon The Fire (Glastonbury 2019)

The Comet Is Coming is an innovative trio born from London’s underground scene in the UK.

The forward-thinking sound crafted by Shabaka Hutchings, Dan Leavers, and Max Hallett fuses jazz and electronica, weaving in funk and psychedelic elements to create a unique musical identity that captivates many listeners.

They debuted in 2015 with the EP “Prophecy,” and their first album the following year, “Channel the Spirits,” was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize.

Since then, they have continued to work prolifically, earning high praise for their experimental sound and energetic live performances, including an appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert.

They are highly recommended for those drawn to cosmic imagery and future-oriented music, as well as anyone seeking a fresh, genre-defying sound.

ComedownCitriniti

Citriniti – Comedown

A song packed with technical elements and strong prog vibes.

The sudden unison rising lines that pop in here and there make me grin.

With the technique front and center, it might be considered one for enthusiasts, but I recommend it to anyone who loves rhythm-driven prog—especially the interplay between bass and drums.

Follow mePat Metheny Group

Follow me-Pat Metheny Group

Among Metheny’s works you can listen to in a relaxed mood, this is a standout track.

A guitar synth rides over endlessly repeating, satisfying chords, making it feel even better.

Above all, it feels grand and expansive.

As it builds, it gives the impression that your field of vision opens wider and wider.

A Slow Unfolding Of WingsAnd So I Watch You From Afar

And So I Watch You From Afar “A Slow Unfolding Of Wings” (Official Video)

Hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, And So I Watch You From Afar is an instrumental band formed in 2005, known for their exceptional guitar work and dynamic ensemble playing.

Centered on post-rock and math rock while blending elements of progressive and art rock, their sound crafts a distinctive world through ferocious guitar riffs and complex rhythmic structures.

They broke through with their self-titled debut album in 2009, achieving the remarkable feat of ranking sixth in Rock Sound’s Albums of the Year.

Since then, they have pursued an energetic touring schedule primarily across Europe, and their 2015 album Heirs was nominated for IMPALA’s European Independent Album of the Year Award.

Despite their intricate song structures, their music balances energetic, instinctive expressiveness—perfect for listeners captivated by meticulously constructed, clockwork-like compositions.

In The Castle Of My SkinSons of Kemet

Sons Of Kemet – In The Castle Of My Skin

Sons of Kemet, a band that breathed new life into the innovative jazz scene, is a London-based instrumental group formed in 2011.

They established an experimental sound that fuses jazz with Afrobeat, grime, and dub, captivating audiences with an unconventional lineup of saxophone, tuba, and two drummers.

Their 2013 debut album Burn won Best Jazz Act at the MOBO Awards and was named Album of the Year by The Arts Desk.

The distinctive sound world created by their groove-heavy rhythm section and folk-inspired melodic lines earned overwhelming acclaim, with their 2018 album Your Queen Is a Reptile receiving a Mercury Prize nomination.

Although their active period lasted only a decade, they left a significant mark on contemporary music.

Highly recommended for listeners seeking bold, genre-defying sounds.

Tidal WaveButcher Brown

Butcher Brown – Tidal Wave (Official Audio)

Butcher Brown is a hybrid jazz band that represents the jazz scene of Virginia, USA.

Formed in Richmond in 2009, the five-piece has established a style that freely moves between traditional jazz-funk, hip-hop, soul, and Afrobeat.

Each member’s exceptional musicianship underpins the band’s intricate ensemble, and in 2020 their music was featured on the NFL’s Monday Night Football.

Their album Solar Music won the 2024 Newlin Music Prize, earning them further acclaim.

Using DJ Harrison’s home studio, Jellowstone Studios, as their creative base, they continually push into new territory, crafting music that captivates a wide range of listeners—from jazz aficionados to hip-hop fans.