Stephen Wilson on the Unique Common Ground Among Artists -cos –

Stephen Wilson’s Insights on Progressive Rock

Stephen Wilson expressed his belief that he is “the only one” of his kind—an idea that is commonplace among artists.

The frontman of “Porcupine” has released his eighth studio album, “The Opreview”, featuring two tracks that each last 20 minutes. He is currently conducting interviews to promote this new project, including a discussion with the online music magazine and YouTube channel InnerViews, where he shared his thoughts on the genre’s future.

Wilson remarked that for artists in the progressive rock (PROG) genre, “the will to move away from the standard pop form” is what they have in common, emphasizing their desire to “take the listener on a trip.”

When asked about the lengthy duration of tracks on his new project and his reasons for returning to progressive rock, he stated (as reported in Loud): “I think that the return to progressive rock is in the idea of a long form.”

He elaborated, “What is ‘progressive rock’? For me, the one thing that all these artists really have in common—speaking about the entire spectrum, from Pink Floyd to Frank Zappa, to Rush, Mogwai, and Radiohead—is the desire to stray from the standard form into something that lasts longer.”

Contrasting Music Styles and Chart Battles

“Not always, but many groups clearly deviate into 10, 15, and 20-minute sections, which is evident on this record. This, I believe, is one of the distinguishing features—if not the defining characteristic—of what I consider ‘progressive rock.’”

In other news, Wilson commented on his recent chart battle with Playboi Carti, stating he “has not yet met anyone who has even heard” of the rapper.

The release of his album coincided with LP Carti’s fourth album. Wilson unexpectedly climbed to number one in the British album charts mid-week, surpassing rap surveys. However, despite the promising position, he ultimately placed third by the end of the week, with Carti claiming the top spot.

Wilson told Telegraph that he was not surprised by the rapper’s victory, explaining, “In fact, it was not a competition, let’s be honest. Carti’s music is almost my opposite—short, minimal, filled with digital sounds that you hear on mobile phones. Solos have virtually disappeared from modern music.”

“These days, it’s all about the vocals, reflecting the pace of life we live now. I completely understand why this appeals more to 15-year-olds raised on video games and TikTok.”

Last summer, Stephen Wilson announced details of his 2025 British and European tour, marking his first solo dates in seven years.

The European leg will kick off on May 1, while the UK dates begin on May 10 in Bristol, followed by two nights at the London Palladium on May 12 and 13, with additional stops in Newcastle, Glasgow, and Salford. Visit here for tickets and additional information.