Alpha Male Tea Party are a band I’ve liked for quite a while without ever before truly falling for. They’ve previously released four albums of mathy instrumental prog rock, all of which have their charms (especially 2017’s Health), but none of which have ever come close to troubling this List. Album #5 is a different beast. The tracks here are heavier, less technically complex, shorter, and feature... gulp... vocals. All of which has had a large chunk of AMTP’s proggy fan base up in arms. For me, though, this is the best they’ve ever been. There is a strong post-hardcore element added to the math-rock mix (reminding me of former List-toppers Press to MECO), which elevates and uncomplicates their sound. Reptilian Brain still has its progressive moments (closer ‘All Become One When the Sun Comes to Earth’, for example, could sit happily on one of their previous records). But for the most part this is an instance of a band letting go and rocking out. That ethos is showcased best on frantic lead single ‘Battle Crab’, which is one of my absolute favourite tracks of 2025. Overall, Reptilian Brain is a great example of less is more.