Secret Oyster

Synth prog is a branch of progressive rock that centers the synthesizer as its primary compositional voice. It combines the long-form structures, odd meters, and thematic development of prog with the timbral palette of analog and early digital synths—pads, sequenced ostinati, modular textures, and soaring mono leads. Unlike synth-pop (which prioritizes song-form hooks) or purely electronic kosmische/progressive electronic music (which may abandon rock rhythm sections), synth prog keeps the rock ensemble—drums, bass, and often guitar—while letting keyboards, sequencers, and sound design drive the harmony, counterpoint, and narrative arc. The result spans from symphonic grandeur to spacey minimalism, often moving through multiple moods in a single piece.

Jazz rock is a hybrid style that merges the improvisational language and harmonic richness of jazz with the amplified energy, backbeat, and song forms of rock. It typically features electric guitar, bass, and drums alongside jazz-oriented instruments such as saxophone, trumpet, and keyboards, often arranged in horn sections. Extended chords, syncopation, and improvisation coexist with catchy riffs and driving grooves, yielding music that is both virtuosic and accessible. While closely related to jazz fusion, jazz rock generally keeps a stronger tie to rock songcraft and backbeat-centered rhythms.

Progressive rock is a rock subgenre that expands the genre’s formal, harmonic, and conceptual boundaries. It favors long-form compositions, intricate arrangements, and virtuosic musicianship, often drawing on Western classical, jazz, folk, and psychedelic idioms. Typical hallmarks include multi-part suites, shifting time signatures, extended instrumental passages, recurring motifs, and concept albums that present unified themes or narratives. The sound palette commonly features electric guitar, bass, and drums alongside an array of keyboards (Hammond organ, Mellotron, Moog/ARP synthesizers, piano), woodwinds or brass, and occasional orchestral additions. Lyrics often explore science fiction, mythology, philosophy, social commentary, and introspective themes.