Modern Prog

That's true upon re-reading, .....sounds like he wants to explore some thing a bit different...still I hope he cks out Wobbler...a brillaint band in any style imho.

+1 for Leprous.  Pitfalls (their most recent) is superb

And if you'd like to try some hurdy-gurdy flute folk metal, then check out Cellar Darling (who are not yet appearing on PA, not sure why).  Listen to the song Six Days and tell me it isn't completely brilliant!

Steve's approach is one I would recommend to you myself. 

Also, continue researching the classic 70's prog. After all, nothing beats it at the ned of the day, IMO. You will gradually and naturally evolve into the later prog - I hope you're young enough to progress through the prog years chronologically 

If not, have a look at PA's Top Albums year by year and/or investigate PA's prog genres' top albums and elect the genres you like (life's too short for all genres, IMO, and you're unlikely to like all the genres). 

Lastly, have a look at Collaborators' Top Album year by year.

Happy listening 

They released an album last year.

Yes,  much of the modern (and no longer quite so modern) prog I listen to tends to be categorised as crossover on PA.

Leaving aside the very valid point already made that a lot of the “modern” bands listed here are closer in time to the “classic” prog era than they are to today, I find it quite amusing how many bands are being suggested that might be more modern, but are merely carrying on (not matter how well) the sounds of the classic bands.

Given what the OP asked, this is clearly not what they’re wanting. Not that it matters, because they don’t seem to have participated since that opening gambit.

For similar reasons, I’m not convinced about the use of ‘80s neo-prog as a means of arriving at the more modern prog bands and artists. If someone had done that for me, I’d probably have been put right off. I’m sure there is some mighty fine music in the ‘80s, but in terms of neo-prog I’ve not yet come across anything that hasn’t put me right off from that time. There is a huge gap in my cd collection in the ‘80s when it comes to prog. I have loads of music from the ‘80s, but very little of it can be found on PA.

I know if I were thinking of getting someone who has only listened to classic prog from the ‘70s, and who wants to listen to more modern prog, then I would be heading straight to this century. The only ‘90s albums I would throw their way would likely be from the bands mentioned in the OP. Why? Well, one, because obviously that is what the OP is asking for; and two, because they really do give a good grounding for what comes next.

That's not a new studio album though. It's more like a compilation album. 

Neal Morse Band: while it's a lengthy, double CD concept album, Similitude of a Dream has a number of songs that are short and melodic enough to pick up on quickly:

City of Destruction

The Ways of a Fool

So Far Gone

Slave to Your Mind

Really, the entire album is relatively easy to pick up bc the individual songs are short and employ a number of pop techniques

Another good spot is Steven Wilson's Hand. Cannot. Erase.  Songs I'd recommend for intro listens:

Hand Cannot Erase

Happy Returns

Perfect Life

Wilson was also the creative force behind Porcupine Tree and their Fear of a Blank Planet also has some good ones for you:

Fear of a Blank Planet

My Ashes

Sleep Together

Other songs from Wilson / PT:

The Birthday Party

She's Moved On

The Raven that Refused to Sing