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10. Pete Hopersberger

– Imminent Sonic Destruction

Right up against those vicious ISD guitars, you’ll hear a soulful, fleeting, beautiful atmosphere, and that is Pete’s keys. But he offers far more than that, from wicked solos to tender moments. He’s the heart of the ISD sound.

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9. Gleb Kolyadin – solo

Gleb is an incredible pianist, as has been established again and again. What he did on Mobula, though, is lean into something more modern, more colorful and fresh. He reinvented his style and I’m here for it.

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8. Andreas Hack – Whispers of Granite

For his new project, Andreas showed up big time. He gave us a stunning keyboard performance that comes in all shades and textures. Seriously, the melodies and solos he produces are outstanding.

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7. Anton Belov and Alina Belova

– Kauan

Keys are a major part of Kauan’s effervescent style, and Anton and Alina really impressed me. I love the slicing synth solos that are tentpole aspects of various tracks, but it’s the fomenting emotions and consistent atmosphere they create that is possibly the most memorable.

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6. Rose Riebl – solo

On her latest solo effort, Rose offers a performance that is serene and delicate, but powerful when it needs to be, and the softly cinematic and even ambient atmosphere makes you want to close your eyes and float away into the shadows.

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5. Tree Stewart – The Emerald Dawn

Tree plays with spunk and attitude, colorful as the sunrise. She plays with psychedelic fervor, like an enchantment upon the record itself. I never tire of her style.

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4. Kay Olsen – Agropelter

I adore Kay’s blending of styles and instruments. On the Agropelter debut, you’ll hear synth, church organs, and Hammonds that filter in and out of each other. Sometimes they feels stylish, other times classy, but his playing always feels rich and passionate.

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3. Teresa Marraco – Antinoë

Teresa’s piano is its own voice on her new record The Fold. She plays it with force, boasting neoclassical elegance but also dreamy vistas. It is rather hypnotic to hear.

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2. Vikram Shankar – Lux Terminus

Vikram is a force of nature and his performance on the new Lux Terminus record is probably his best ever. I love the style and cinema he brings, not to mention the various accents and global motifs that he adds. He is an incredible player.

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1. Andy Robison – Ihlo

I remember hearing the debut Ihlo album years back, but I don’t remember being so enchanted by Andy’s keyboards. For Legacy and alongside fellow bandmate Phil Monro, he produces some toweringly cinematic passages, bursting through walls of groove and guitars with utter command and crystal-clear composition. His performance is purposeful and grabbed me by the throat immediately.

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