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!

Mudi Sama "Will I Make It Out Alive?" (2025)

Following up on a passonate live performance at Reading Festival, Mudi's tuneful appeal translates well to record. Although labelled as an album, its nineteen minute runtime and rough around the edges production feels much like a demo. With seven two to three minute tracks, we breeze through colorful songs built on conventional pop song structures, always illuminating its main hook between bright uplifting melodies.

 

Although his lyrics have a darker undercurrent of emotional struggle, the whole expression is felt as a sunny resolution to such turmoil. Each song works out its premise through this gorgeous assemble of warm empowering baselines, dreamy shoegazing leads and thick distortion guitar fuzz. Held together with tight percussive grooves akin to a drum machine, the experience takes on a soft wall of sound quality.

Mudi's voice acts as the glue, pulling this winning chemistry together around his lyrics. Each song is well written with Jealous Type, Let Go and End Of The World standing out to me. The latter highlights some of that rough production with its gritty baselines and lack of balance compared to other tracks. Maybe its part of the concept to sound a touch more Punk on this one, after all, its a downtrodden reprieval anthem.

 

Throughout it all tho, I got the impression that in the hands of a more experienced producer, the compositional ideas could be elevated to another level. There is a undercurrent of punchy pop appeal in his songs that would love a touch of shiny gloss. Either way, this record is a cracking start. Mudi is a bright talent with tones of potential. One to keep an eye on for sure!

Rating: 6/10

My Saturday At Reading Festival 2025

 
Having finally made it to a Reading Leeds festival, I can now spend even more time pining over old lineups I *could* have gone too... Anyways, I loved it! Awkward to get to but worth the long walks as the smaller venue scales well with the fasciitis. No queuing for water a blessing! Such things are probably not even a thought for a majority of the young audience. It seems the GCSE right of passage tales are true! Here are my highlights from the day among many more bands and artists I saw.

Mudi Sama
A raw and youthful performance from an unknown talent on the BBC Introducing stage, Mudi's fusion of Alternative Rock, Indie and Shoegaze melodies was an easy win over. Catchy hooks, warm uplifting tunes tackling emotions we all struggle with, there is a universal appeal here executed endearingly.

Sunday (1994)
Given the year, its no surprise to find this group reveling in 90s nostalgia. Led by the powerful resonance of Paige Turner, her body swaying presence on stage pulles one into the music invitingly. Straddling Dream Pop with Shoegaze and soft touches of Alternative Rock, their delicate, easy paced songs made for a relaxing indulgence in the shade of the tent. 

Rifle
Consisting of short unhinged scuffles of raw Punk noise, these Anarcho-Punkers blew me away. Rough and ragged, their instruments hit full tilt, hard and fast, led by uncompromising shouts of loud mouthed working class agitation. A vitriolic power blast, ignited by a front mans relentless energy and fiery shouts of anger. Top notch.

South Arcade
One to keep an eye on, this young and youthful act have potential in droves, ascending to the mainstage without an album under their belt. Their punchy take on Pop Metal and Pop Punk owes a lot to the likes of Linkin Park and more recently Bring Me The Horizon. Harmony Cavelle has a fantastic stage presence and the bands whole aesthetic throws back to my generation. All the pieces are in place, their songs are decent but with some maturity this band could have a broad appeal.

Origami Angel
A dynamic duo of a diversified internet generation, this pair pull influences from Punk, Emo, Indie and Post-Hardcore, throwing them into a unrestrained mix up. Driven by time signature shake ups, jostling heavy moments between lighter singing refrains, the diversity flowed with quirky fruity loop interludes breaking up their songs. Great show!

Limp Bizkit

My main pull to the festival served up exactly what I wanted. Moshing, jumping and shouting along! I've never let go of that now nostalgic fascination in me, the thirteen year old self watching Bizkit on MTV after school. It still gets me to this day. At this point I've seen them over a dozen times and still adore the show. Great to see lots of young people enjoying it too. The only thing I could I've asked for was more of Thieves. This rendition was cut all to short. I also loved the memes up on stage! Oh, and then there is the case of Ruth, what a sweet moment. Fred pulls out a fan from the crowd, a teenage fan with the red cap back. She must of had the time of her life up there on stage with the band. Good vibes all around.

Becky Hill
Admittedly I had to watch this one from a far. The tent was rammed, I spent my time devouring chips and chicken. All that moshing gave me a ravenous appetite. Becky's voice was a powerhouse overtop an easy listening fusion of Dance and Drum n Bass. It was such a good vibe, I spent the drive home listening to her tracks. Such a strong and harmonious tone, It was impressive watching her do it live.

Bring Me The Horizon

I hadn't given it much thought. I'd seen them plenty of times over the years but this was something special! Building out a big show for the mainstage, they went to another level. The stage started out as a sinister church of evil yet underwent some mind bending changes through the songs. Toying with themes around viruses, doomsday and AI, interludes addressing the audience referenced video game culture, creating a brilliant mix of elements. Better yet was the use of live transformative AI. What starts of as some manic manipulation of the main video feed, has Olli transformed into some demonic creature live before our eyes, his movements matching the wild animations. It was just an effective use of technology but shows the band have the mind to create an even bigger experience. Its been a while since a band had me enjoying such things alongside a banging set of songs.