Modern progressive rock/metal legend Steven Wilson, known for his work with Porcupine Tree and Opeth, recently sat down for an interview with Innerviews to discuss his return to progressive rock with his new album, The Overview.
The album was released on March 14, 2025, and has already received rave reviews. In the interview, Wilson shared his thoughts on what makes progressive rock truly progressive.
What Wilson Thinks Progressive Rock Is All About
In the interview, Anil Prasad, the host, asked Wilson about his decision to return to progressive rock after exploring art rock and electronica in his previous albums.
Wilson explained that his return to the genre had a lot to do with the long-form music that defines progressive rock. The album The Overview includes two 20-minute tracks, “Objects Outlive Us” and “The Overview,” which perfectly fit this tradition.
Wilson shared his thoughts on what makes progressive rock stand out, saying:
“To me, the only thing all of it really has in common… is a will to move away from the standard pop form. It’s this idea that you can take the listener on a journey, and very often, that involves doing something over a longer period of time.”
He added that many progressive rock bands, from Pink Floyd to Rush, often create long tracks that take listeners on a journey. Wilson believes this long-form approach is a key characteristic of progressive rock.
The Overview: A Journey of Many Styles
While The Overview is rooted in progressive rock, Wilson mentioned that the album also includes various other genres. He confirmed the presence of electronic music, ambient music, metal riffs, and even pop and jazz moments. The album combines these styles but keeps the sense of a journey central to its structure — something Wilson feels is most closely associated with progressive rock.
Wilson’s past work, including Porcupine Tree’s “Anesthetize” and his solo track “Raider II” from Grace for Drowning (2011), have already showcased his ability to create complex, epic pieces of music, making him a leading figure in the modern progressive rock world.
Progressive Rock’s Universality: Is It Really About Long Tracks?
Wilson’s views on progressive rock have sparked discussion among fans. While he believes the defining feature of the genre is the desire to move away from standard pop forms and create longer pieces of music, some might argue that other aspects of progressive rock, such as complexity, musical experimentation, and thematic depth, are just as important.
Do you agree with Wilson’s take on what defines progressive rock? Let us know your thoughts!
About The Overview and Its Concept
The Overview is the follow-up to Wilson’s 2023 album The Harmony Codex. As Wilson explained, the concept behind the album takes listeners on a Kubrickian journey into the vastness of outer space, where humanity’s insignificance in the face of cosmic distances and time is explored.
The album features contributions from Wilson’s regular collaborators, such as guitarist/vocalist Randy McStine, flutist/saxophonist Theo Travis, and keyboardist Adam Holzman. Fans can purchase the album online, with early reviews from outlets like MOJO magazine and Classic Rock magazine already praising it highly.