Does a particular musician’s songwriting and artistry speak to you above all others?

How could I have forgotten The Kinks and Morrissey?

So, so many, in several different genres and subgenres.

Defends on my mood, for sure.

Robert Fripp - While King Crimson is usually known for their somewhat angular, intense music, Fripp could compose some achingly beautiful songs, too. The Night Watch, Book of Saturday, I Talk to the Wind, I'm walking on Air are a few.

Yes - Close to the Edge - From the chaotic intro, to the quiet passages, to the intense passages, this takes the listener on a real journey through various moods.

Mahavishnu Orchestra - Eternity's Breath, Meeting of the Spirits, Vision Is a Naked Sword are examples of music with great melodies, coupled with insane levels of musicianship, that puts a huge grin on my face, and leads me to lose track of time.

Elliott Carter - Concerto for Orchestra, Three Occasions for Orchestra, Three Illusions for Orchestra (and others). While some may consider Carter's music to be a bit of a challenge, those things that people consider challenging, are the very things that sweep me up, and mentally transport me. 

John Coltrane - A Love Supreme. Nothing needs to be said...

PFM - Per un Amico, Storia di un Minuto. While the U.K. was much better known for prog, Italy had many bands that were the equal of those U.K. bands. PFM is the best known. Great musicianship, high levels of complexity, and tons of beautiful melodies.  

Allan Holdsworth - his unique approach, and vocabulary was really unprecedented. He really did not have any musical predecessors. And his chops were monstrous. Even his unique chords, were otherworldly.

I could seriously go on for pages...

If music does not speak to me, I don't listen to it. I could not say if any of these speaks to me above others, though. 

These are just partial lists. 

Jazz:

Return to Forever, Steve Coleman, Alice Coltrane, Pharaoh Sanders, Anthony Braxton, The Art Ensemble of Chicago, Oregon, Keith Jarrett.

Prog:

Area, Riverside, Thinking Plague, Henry Cow, Genesis, Banco, Magma, National Health, Gentle Giant, After Crying, Univers Zero.

Classical:

Charles Wuorinen, Joan Tower, Stefan Wolpe, Magnus Lindberg, Alban Berg, Unsuk Chin, Toru Takametsu, Milton Babbitt, Penderecki, Ligeti.

jimmy page’s riffs were the bedrock for melodies that transport me

jon anderson of YES also. South Side of the Sky takes me to Antarctica

Dylan, Lennon, Moody Blues, Cohen, Yes, Genesis/P. Gabriel/Steve Hackett, The Mael Bros. Come  to mind and in fact rank high in my Roon Artists most played ranking. 

Steve Hackett is a good pick. He has an amazing band that I have seen three times since moving to AZ. I will see hi again this coming April. They also perform old Genesis, and it is wonderful.