My Top 10 Music Discoverys In 2025

By design, this was a lighter year for discoveries. Although I've been searching the seas, I've written less often. Despite that, some absolute classics make the list, as well as a healthy helping of acts I've caught on the road. These are probably my two favorite ways to unearth great music. Names you know, ones you don't. Shout out to Soul Blind and Krusseldorf. They made the Top Albums list, I didn't include them.

(10) Qendresa

In her best stride, Qendresa reps a sleek R&B motif echoing Vapourwave with a chopped and screwed approach to the instrumentals. A niche sound turning an otherwise glossy sound to something nightly and chilled. Her best numbers are decent but its the potential for this sound to go further that has me interested.

(9) Slaughter To Prevail

I've known of Slaughter for years but foolishly assumed they were part of the Post-Deathcore race to the bottom. Having given their newest record a proper spin, I can hear the influences of my generation permeating a new strand of metallic brutality I couldn't deny is exciting among a stagnant scene.


(8) State Azure

There are tones of artists in this Cosmic Ambience adjacent landscape. Its hard to stand out but State Azure has done so by maintaining stellar production and showing flickers of creativity and influence to perhaps move the needle in an interesting direction. This manifests on their reinventions of classic 80s track. A novelty to revel in if it peaks your interest.


(7) Enigma

I love these sorts of discoveries! Forgotten acts that have a prominent roll in the unfolding tapestry of the time. With a couple of ubiquitous "advert songs" under their belt, this felt like an unusual story for a band who's origin seems like an unintentional accident. The depth of there catalog is light but very enjoyable.


(6) Thornhill

I got into this band in preparation for seeing them later in the year. Sadly that never came to fruition. Thornhill are fantastic, a Deftones inspired by who despite showing their influences all too clearly, still win one over with their grooves, hooks and big riffs. Experimenting with production and electronics, there is an element of originality emerging here I'd like to hear more of on future albums.


(5) Mudi Sama

The first act from my day at Reading Festival, Mudi is a talented song writer with something raw emerging, yet to be fully nurtured. The current roster of songs feel rough around the edges yet his songs shine bright. Poised to move in several directions, this feels like an artist who's evolution could be huge.


(4) South Arcade

Like a time bubble back to the years of my sixth form days, South Arcade revel in the aesthetic of my youth. A mix of Skater, Rock and Pop reminiscent of No Doubt. I'm convinced they could blow up. Connecting with a young audience and writing anthems out the gate, it will be fascinating to follow them over the next few years.


(3) Prince

A legend needing no introduction, this was the year I finally got around to Prince. Although I didn't get roped into much of his intimidating discography, Purple Rain is a clear crescendo, a peak for all time. I loved getting into it. Prince's musicality feels like it can't be taught, his creative streak and expression is just so self affirming. Love it!


(2) Magdalena Bay

I really struggled with Mica Tenenbaum's voice at first, but having come around to her subdued whispery nature, the creativity of this duo is flows perfectly! Their songs feel like adventures through the fruits of experimental jam sessions, melded into colorful numbers rocking melodies and novelty through its deep aesthetic dressing. Decent songs fleshed out with explorations of sound.


(1) Enya

I cannot express just how much her music makes swells of emotion arise within me. There is something deeply humanistic and beautiful about her expressions. A voice entangled into the instrumentational role both fantastical and rural. Rooted, yet uplifting, her grace often feels like a bridge from earth to the heavens. Utterly brilliant, Enya exists on a realm of her own making. Absolute peak!

Enigma "Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi!" (1996)

Album number three, Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi! arrives an amorphus evolution of previous ideas. The prior potiency of Worldbeat dimishes as global cultral sounds subside into a stagnant midtempo troth of dreary passing moods. Michael Cretu takes the role of frontman. His milder vocals, slightly strained, strip the music of impact. Aiming high but landing short, his attempted grandiosity and questions of “im asking why” shys from evoking the deeper resonance these songs are searching for.

 

Meddling instrumentals noodle around with slugish atmospheric synths over dulled Woldbeat and Trip Hop percussion groves. It evokes mildly etheral vibes, somewhat contemplative but rarely do they peak or summit upon a destination. These songs simply circle on themselves as various instruments or vocals chime in on these travels. The moods conjured are dreamy, relaxing and indulgent but mostly as drifting emotions, passing one by. You could give your full attention to them… or not.

 

Thus many of Enigma's once impactful deployment of Gegorian chants, or the inclusion of dramatic female warblings, fall to is medicore persuasion. This third chapter isnt awful but the exicusion of its now established ideas end up drifting through routine, droning percussive loops. This religates a somehat decent round of listens as the novelety somewhat wears off. I now lack the appitite to return again.

 

Rating: 5/10 

Enigma "The Cross Of Changes" (1993)

 

In a pleasant surprise, it seems this assembly of musicians was no fluke. Evolving from MCMXCa.D., the group lean further into the Worldbeat sound, shedding some New Age vibes as striking a nerve with indigenous chants on a familiar Return To Innocence, another commercial hit preserved to memory through its recurrences in movies and adverts. Its a stirring union of loud, crashing, Hip Hop influenced drums and ritualistic cultural vocal chants. On paper a contrast, in performance an easy pleasure to take in. Oddly, its character stands apart from the rest of the record.

The Cross Of Change is mostly a moody, esoteric voyage through ambiguous avenues. Contemplative atmospheres, soothing in nature yet softly melancholic and mysterious. The archaic airy synths and subtle choral voices of its openers lay this foundation. Driven forth by drum machine grooves the music expands with drifting samples and instruments fleshing out its linear nature. Briefly interrupted by the aforementioned Return To Innocence, we then plunging further down the rabbit hole.

I Love You... I'll Kill You plays a remarkable pondering on loneliness. A darkly sorrow song, achieved without the usual hallmarks that often evoke such darkness. With Silent Warrior, we hear the Phil Collins influences again, punctuated by gated toms lifted from Genesis's Tonight Tonight Tonight. Its unnecessary but it fits in.

After Age Of Loneliness works its way through the established conventions that make up its identity so far. Out From The Deep serves as a closing pivot, drawing uplift and reprieve from the heavier themes. Deploying Eric B's classic sample of The Soul Searchers drum break, it barely manages to make sense as the music links up with a grandiose Glam Rock guitar solo. The Cross Of Changes then too pivots its synths to bright glossy chords, like the sun breaking apart storm clouds after the downpour. All in all, a strong record with a curious vibe to get lost in, if that's your cup of tea.

Rating: 7/10

Enigma "MCMXCa.D." (1990)

Catching my ear through the Spotify playlist shuffle, a curiosity was peaked given its early release date. This both felt and sounded like a missing link in the tapestry. A convergence of New Age and Worldbeat, at the alter of 90s drum machine aesthetics from the emerging House and Dance scenes. Before, I've covered similar evolved vibes from En Voice, Dead Can Dance and most keenly Delerium. This one swiftly clicked into place. Research revealing its position as a pioneering record, with surprise commercial success for these relatively unknown German-Romanian musicians.

The record has a trance like meditative presence. Easy listening, as its Dance rhythms gracefully drift through soundscapes of worldly atmosphere. Loaded with samples, spoken lyrics, Ethereal synths and keyboard instruments jostling New Age melodies. It forms an evocative collage of complimenting aesthetics suggesting deep and slightly esoteric themes about the human experience. Best of all, the inclusion of Gregorian Chants aids in playing up the ever present sense of spiritual significance.

Highlights include the mini epics Principles Of Lust and Back To The Rivers Of Belief. Both venture through lengthy song structures, packing a lot of intrigue as their powers hold over the listener. A shorter four minute piece, Callas Went Away, catches the ear with an even touch of plagiarism, as its subdued tom drums and lonely atmospheric synths clearly borrow from the timeless Phil Collins mega hit, In The Air Tonight.

The rest of the music falls into place around these key pieces. MCMXCa.D. is a soothing experience from start to end. One to return for, in need of these worldly spiritual vibes but with a touch of pace from its classic Dance drum machine patterns driving the music. I'm glad I stumbled onto it. It seems they had continued success with the following few records, which I may just check out next.

Rating: 7/10