[2026] Recommended Western instrumental bands: Popular overseas bands

WaterslideCHON

CHON – Waterslide (Official Music Video)

Chon, the progressive rock/math rock band from California, announced the unfortunate news that they would be going on hiatus in 2022.

Their band name supposedly comes from the initials of the four elements that make up the human body, a half-joking decision made while they were practicing their instruments with a science program playing in the background.

It makes sense that Chon started with that lighthearted vibe, considering the members were only in their early to mid-teens at the time.

But once you actually hear their music, many will be stunned.

Their intensely powerful band ensemble—built on intricately structured song progressions and explosive performances by members with outstanding technique—is nothing short of breathtaking.

They incorporate plenty of rhythmic ideas like polyrhythms and odd time signatures, which might make some people think the music is difficult and unapproachable.

However, their remarkable sensibility lies in how they sublimate it all into songs that are genuinely easy to listen to.

They’ve played in Japan multiple times, including at major festivals like Fuji Rock, and have a strong fanbase here as well.

They’ve released three albums, all of which are well worth checking out, but if I had to pick just one, it would be their second album, Homey (2017), where they significantly broadened their musical range.

It’s a gem that showcases Chon’s unique flair, featuring guest vocals from Masego—a saxophonist and singer-songwriter who dubs his own style “trap house jazz.”

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acid rainLiquid Tension EXPERIMENT

Liquid Tension Experiment – Acid Rain Live In L.A. 2008

Liquid Tension Experiment is a supergroup of virtuoso players formed around members of Dream Theater—the pinnacle of progressive metal—namely drummer Mike Portnoy and guitarist John Petrucci.

The lineup also includes bassist Tony Levin, known for his work with King Crimson, and keyboardist Jordan Rudess, who would later join Dream Theater.

It’s an instrumental group that lets you revel in a star-studded collaboration by top-tier musicians in the scene.

In recent years, they pulled off a surprising reunion and, in 2021, released their long-awaited comeback album, Liquid Tension Experiment 3.

As you’d expect, their musical style is rooted in genres like heavy metal, prog, and fusion, yet their songs let you enjoy both improvisation underpinned by exceptional technique and masterful songwriting.

They’re a must-listen not only for Dream Theater fans but for anyone curious about this kind of music.

And of course, if you want to revel in the dazzling performances of world-class players, this is essential listening!

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All I Know Is TonightJaga Jazzist

Jaga Jazzist – ‘One-Armed Bandit’ (Live with Britten Sinfonia)

Jaga Jazzist is an avant-garde jazz collective that Norway is proud of—an extraordinary group that constantly changes and evolves, absorbing influences from genres like electronica, post-rock, and progressive rock into jazz.

Formed in 1994 around leader and principal songwriter Lars Horntveth, who was reportedly 14 at the time, they present the classic face of a big band while, as mentioned above, voraciously assimilating cutting-edge musical ideas to create a unique sound.

As a result, they’ve become highly popular in Japan not so much among pure jazz purists, but rather among listeners who love club music and post-rock.

Their second album, A Livingroom Hush (2001), received high acclaim in their home country of Norway and achieved significant commercial success, and their energetic live tours raised their profile across Europe.

They later signed with Ninja Tune, the venerable UK label known mainly for club-oriented releases, and in 2005 put out the acclaimed What We Must.

After a five-year interval, 2010’s One-Armed Bandit featured mixing by John McEntire of Tortoise—a collaboration that seemed destined to happen.

Despite its forward-leaning content, the album became their first to enter Japan’s Oricon charts.

In addition to their studio albums, I personally recommend checking out their live albums as well, where you can enjoy their organic performance at its best!

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Roots Joint // Mellow High Live @ Roots BudapestJazzbois

Jazzbois – Roots Joint // Mellow High Live @ Roots Budapest

When you hear about the fusion of jazz and hip-hop, many might picture the UK or US scenes.

But Jazzbois, a trio based in Budapest, Hungary, captivate audiences worldwide with a sound that exquisitely blends the intensity of improvisation and the editing sensibilities of beat-making.

Led by Bence Molnár, a graduate of a music academy, they garnered instant attention with their 2019 debut album, “Jazzbois Goes Blunt.” Their signature lies in a unique method of reconstructing session recordings into hip-hop-infused grooves, and they’ve earned high praise as a live band too, including an appearance at SXSW in 2024.

In 2025, their album “Still Blunted” won a Fonogram, Hungary’s music award, marking yet another leap forward.

If you’re looking for stylish, danceable instrumentals, this band comes highly recommended!

Time Destroys Everything, But Our Foundation RemainsThis Patch of Sky

This Patch of Sky – Time Destroys Everything, But Our Foundation Remains

Unfortunately, they disbanded in 2019, and while they may be little known in Japan outside of dedicated post-rock listeners, I’d like to introduce This Patch of Sky as a high-quality instrumental band.

Formed in Oregon in 2010, their sound features melancholic arpeggios, guitar tones drenched in spatial effects, and guitar orchestrations that weave explosive walls of sound—grand and dramatic.

If you enjoy the roaring, atmospheric side of post-rock like Explosions in the Sky, you’ll almost certainly love them.

Starting with their second album, This Patch of Sky (2014), a cellist also joined, and the quality of their songs—where beauty and sorrow surge toward you—is remarkably high.

They have three albums, and including EPs (some released in Japan), their catalog isn’t extensive, so if you’re into it, you won’t regret checking out their entire body of work!

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