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!

Qendresa "Londra" (2024)

Shifting gears, refining the chemistry, Londra trades in its Vapourwave idiosyncrasies for a dusky flavor. This collection of mellowed out R&B dwellings settle on subdued night light vibes, with a touch of Noir Jazz gloom to it. It becomes more apparent as the record grows, early on moods are brighter. Its opener 2 Much revels in a groovy G-Funk shadow. Its all subtitles tho, as the musics tempo is consistently effortless.

 

 Despite having engaging instrumentals that consistently conjure these slick, dusky spells, its Qendresa herself who breaks the allure as the album progress. Early on her soft singing charms, Sweet Lies reminiscent of Grimes at her best. Toning down the presence of these smooth sung lines, opting in for a casual, spoken word approach to her verses, a social, conflict oriented braggadocio persona steadily emerges.

 

Its this lyrical focus that spoiled the musical magic for me. Status oriented, plain worded ventilations of social dramas and relationship woes cross' paths with seemingly shallow statements of boastful intent, aimed at putting down others. The self indulgence of it all added an unemphatic layer to the music hard to relate with. Otherwise a solid listen but this shift in tone to "harden up" was not to my liking.

 

Rating: 4/10 

Qendresa "Midnight Request Line" (2020)

Dropping in with a sleek 00s R&B voice, London singer Qendresa distinguishes herself from the crowd with genius instrumental chemistry. Its seemingly obvious in retrospect but I'd yet to hear this combination before. Given that Vapourwave often pitches samples from the umbrella of Soul, Funk and Disco, this is an obvious fit.

 

Taking the foundation of R&B, these instruments play slowed and slurred. Melodies and tempos descend into a dreamy Ethereal realm, as the breezy Vapourwave aesthetic emerges from this approach. Armed with slow G-Funk era baselines, the likes of Ice Cube's You Know How We Do It comes to mind, the music croons.

 

At a short twenty minutes, the craft blooms on tracks Real Luv and Be Mine, whereas the rest of the record descends into a vibe over substance tangent. Midnight Request Line exposes this fantastic chemistry, yet struggles to explore its potential depths, leaving one with a solid apatite for more. However this vibe is undeniably on point.

 

Rating: 6/10

My Day With Deftones At Crystal Palace Park

 
What a wonderful day! A sun soaked revel in live music, cooled by a gentle breeze flowing across the Crystal Palace Park hill. The event made for a fantastic day out, one which initially started with anxieties of Deftones' presence at the show, having pulled out of a big Glastonbury slot the day before due to illness among the band.

Qendresa
Clearly both humbled and overwhelmed by the occasion, local London musician Qendresa charmed with giggles between songs, reveling in this opportunity to express and entertain as her cool tempered, mellowed out moods brought a colorful warmth to the crowd. Armed with a sleek, easy voice, she put on a great opening act.

HEALTH

One I've wanted to cross of the list, this Industrial trio put on a fair show competing with the sun. Clearly more fitting for a dark club setting, their barrages of mechanical rhythm and dystopian synth assult brought a frantic energy nailed down by the "fallen angel" voice of Jake Duzsik. His peculiar register, effeminate, vulnerable and deeply hurt, has a magnetism that pulled it all together for the live show.

High Vis

British Hardcore, tinged with 90s Oasis vibes, a touch of Post-Punk melody and Indie Rock overtones, these guys brought passion and energy in abundance. Front man Graham Sayle poured himself into the moment, an emotional front, dripping with a sense of urgency. Splurging his politics between songs, one could not deny the underlying empathy and social care his views stemmed from. Giving their set steam.

Weezer

Weezer were the clear highlight of my day. A recent set-list binge of a band I'd passed over in my youth has paid dividends. Their presence added an exquisite sense of personality and occasion colliding, as these recently familiarized songs ascended to the another level. The genius of Rivers Cuomo and his bands mates made itself know, as the stunning live aesthetic showcased their virtuoso. Even if much of their music is simplistic, it was executed flawlessly. The guitar solo's were a pleasure to behold.

 

Deftones

One of a few bands deeply entangled into my youthful soul, hearing their arsenal of emphatic, timeless songs will always stir that freeing revelry of the moment. Despite having a fantastic time, one could not ignore a troubled performance. Still getting over the illness that stopped them from playing Glastonbury, timing mistakes, warping tempos and a general struggle to keep it together a times stained the show. Waiting for a riff to drop, only for the tempo to slow can pull one out of the magic. Fortunatly, they seemed to get it tighter as the show went on, ending with a banger, 7 Words.