Explore Our Latest Music Discoveries Of Talented Independent Artists.
Welcome to Discovery 10/10, where we highlight ten standout artists in every edition. Each feature includes a short, impactful review alongside the artist’s music, making it easy to dive right into the music. Whether you’re here to find fresh talent or just explore new sounds, Discovery 10/10 has you covered. Stay tuned for the latest picks.
MIVA – Breathe In:
“Breathe In” by MIVA is one of those rare songs that doesn’t just play through your speakers, it surrounds you, moves through you, and lingers long after the final note fades. From its opening moments, the song sets a deeply atmospheric tone, soft synth pads swell like a calm tide, wrapped in layers of reverb that create a sense of floating through air. The first few seconds already establish MIVA’s intent: this isn’t just a song, it’s a journey of emotion and breath. The instrumentation is delicate yet immersive, shimmering electric guitars weave through the mix with clean, chorus-tinged tones, gently blending with ambient piano chords that add warmth and introspection. Underneath lies a steady but subtle bassline, pulsating like a heartbeat, giving the track its grounding while still allowing it to breathe. The percussion is tastefully restrained, a blend of electronic kick, crisp snare taps, and a hi-hat pattern that feels almost syncopated, creating a laid-back yet hypnotic groove. Every sound seems carefully placed, as though MIVA is painting an emotion rather than composing a track. The song moves gracefully, balancing its airy instrumental ambience with emotionally textured vocals that cut through with clarity and feeling. Her voice glides over the instrumental like a breeze over still water, soulful, fragile, yet undeniably powerful, and it’s in this contrast that “Breathe In” finds its magic.
What makes “Breathe In” truly remarkable is how MIVA blends sound, rhythm, and mood into something that feels cinematic and deeply human at the same time. The track evolves gradually, never rushing, allowing the listener to sink into its emotional core. Around the midpoint, the synth layers thicken, and the bassline deepens, while faint traces of distorted guitar slide in the background, giving the music a slightly darker hue, like the feeling of exhaling after holding your breath for too long. There’s a mesmerizing interplay between melancholic chords and vocal harmonies, the latter echoing like whispers of reflection, surrounding MIVA’s lead voice in a halo of warmth. The production is pristine yet organic, with small imperfections that add texture and humanity to the sound. The rhythm feels steady, meditative, you can feel it resonate in your chest rather than on a dance floor. It’s this combination of smooth groove, emotional progression, and sonic layering that gives “Breathe In” its timeless appeal. MIVA’s lyricism complements the sound perfectly, introspective, self-aware, and honest, and her vocal performance makes you feel every breath, every pause, every surge of emotion she pours into the song. It’s not just music; it’s an emotional experience that captures stillness, vulnerability, and growth, all while reminding listeners to take a moment and simply breathe.
Tracy Dell – Long Way Out:
“Long Way Out” by Tracy Dell opens like a storm gathering, there’s a slow burn in the very first seconds, with keyboards rising as if breathing and a clean guitar picking its way through shadow, setting a mood that is at once intimate and ominous. As Tracy’s voice enters, there’s both strength and vulnerability, raw edges in her tone that carry weight, she doesn’t just sing, she pulls you into the emotional gravity of the lyrics. The song’s rhythm section, deep, throbbing bass underpinned by drums that alternate between restrained tension and explosive urgency, creates this push-and-pull feel, like breathing in despair and exhaling a fierce longing for escape. The electric guitars come in heavy, sometimes gritty, sometimes shimmering, weaving power-chord surges with delicate melodic lines; the keyboards add atmospheric layers, ghostly washes of sound that fill in the space between the guitar’s bite and the bass’s rumble. There’s a sense of vastness in the production: moments of near-silence before a guitar wail; pauses where only a soft keyboard or a minimal drum kick holds the tension, then everything floods back in for the chorus. The groove is not simple; it’s dynamic. It sways between brooding meditation in the verses and cathartic release in the choruses, with tempo shifts and loud-soft dynamics that make your heart catch as much as your foot wants to tap.
What truly makes “Long Way Out” exceptional is the way every element serves the emotional core of the song, and how all those elements combine into something you feel in your bones. Tracy’s vocal delivery, sometimes sharp, sometimes hushed, sometimes raw like an exposed nerve, is front and center, but never isolated: the bass makes those low frets vibrate under her voice, giving it depth; the guitars build tension with distortion and sustain, then pull back for clarity in quieter bridges, letting her lyrical imagery cut through; the keyboards echo behind, creating texture and space so you sense the darkness around her, even when the instrumentation is rich. The drums ; from the soft toms, crashing cymbals, to the firm snare strikes, carry a heartbeat, sometimes pounding, sometimes hesitant, that guides the shift from despair to defiance. There’s a physicality in the sound: you can almost feel the guitar strings vibrate under your hand, the air choke at a chord change, the pulse of the bass in your chest. The song doesn’t just tell you it’s hard to get out of that hole, it makes you feel how heavy the walls are around you, how distant the light, how urgent the need to rise. It’s cinematic, but also visceral; moody, but also triumphant in its own way. Every instrument, every pause, every echo, every surge is part of a journey, and “Long Way Out” makes that journey unforgettable.
Tonyo – Je Procrastine:
“Je Procrastine” by Tonyo is a masterful and deeply evocative piece that immediately captures attention through its soulful artistry and immersive emotional atmosphere. From the very first few seconds, the listener is greeted with the gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar that feels both soothing and introspective, setting the tone for what unfolds as a beautifully reflective sonic experience. The melody flows with an effortless grace, weaving soft guitar plucks, subtle bass undertones, and light percussive touches that blend into a mellow, organic groove. The rhythmic pacing of the song feels intentional, calm yet emotionally stirring, mirroring the very essence of procrastination, where movement is slow but filled with thought. Tonyo’s voice enters with a tender, conversational warmth that feels almost like he’s speaking directly to the listener, confiding in them through every line. His vocal texture is raw yet smooth, rich with emotional inflection that perfectly matches the song’s gentle tempo and melancholic undertone. The inclusion of background harmonies and occasional piano fills adds depth and dimension, giving the song a full, immersive sound that envelops the listener in a cocoon of serenity and reflection. It’s not just a song; it’s an experience of self-awareness and quiet contemplation, one that resonates deeply through its musical simplicity and poetic brilliance.
What truly elevates “Je Procrastine” is Tonyo’s remarkable ability to turn introspection into something profoundly musical, something that speaks beyond words. The song carries a charming fluidity that’s sustained by the interplay of its instruments: the crisp acoustic guitar forms the melodic backbone, while a subtle upright bass anchors the rhythm, and a soft snare brush or hand percussion gently propels the song forward with an understated groove. The arrangement feels live and organic, as if performed in a dimly lit studio surrounded by warmth and authenticity. Every element, from the reverb-laced guitar tones to the delicate pauses between verses, adds emotional gravity, creating a soundscape that feels human, relatable, and deeply moving. The groove isn’t forced; it breathes naturally, allowing Tonyo’s introspective lyrics to glide effortlessly through the rhythm. His phrasing is thoughtful and expressive, balancing melancholy and charm with poetic precision. There’s a subtle jazz influence in his melodic choices and phrasing, which gives the song a timeless sophistication. As the song unfolds, it leaves behind a lingering calm, the kind of feeling that sits quietly with you long after the music stops. “Je Procrastine” stands out as an exquisite display of tone, mood, and emotional storytelling, a song that doesn’t just describe procrastination but embodies it through its pacing, its rhythm, and its heartfelt vulnerability.
Charlotte Désilets – Privé – Audio de Réverbère:
“Privé – Audio de Réverbère” unfolds like a sonic masterpiece, a luminous blend of classical finesse, soulful emotion, and smooth jazz sophistication that captivates from the very first note. The song doesn’t simply begin; it breathes itself into being, opening with a lush dialogue between the piano and clarinet, whose tones intertwine like threads of silk gliding through air. The piano’s delicate chords set a gentle, melancholic foundation, while the clarinet’s velvety tone dances around it with elegant phrasing that feels both haunting and romantic. The moment the guitar joins in, its soft, crisp strumming adds a layer of texture that warms the soundscape, bridging the classical precision with soulful intimacy. Beneath it all, the bass hums with depth and subtle confidence, holding everything together with a rich undercurrent that gives the song its emotional weight. As the piece evolves, the drums enter with subtle brushes and light cymbal touches, never overpowering, but gracefully shaping the rhythm into a relaxed, flowing pulse. The result is a mesmerizing harmony of tone and feeling, where every instrument communicates like a voice, contributing to an atmosphere that feels timeless, reflective, and deeply personal.
What makes this composition truly exceptional is the way it balances emotion, technique, and atmosphere with effortless grace. The rhythm flows with a natural swing, but it never rushes, it breathes, allowing the listener to sink deeper into its soulful current. The bassline moves like a heartbeat, tender and steady, while the drums provide a velvety groove that gives the piece a sense of motion without disturbing its serenity. The clarinet remains the emotional centerpiece, singing with an almost vocal quality, expressive, yearning, and filled with nuance. The piano complements this with shimmering runs and gentle arpeggios, weaving in classical textures that elevate the composition beyond the bounds of typical jazz or soul. The guitar’s subtle presence adds warmth and intimacy, its tone occasionally brightening the mood or echoing the clarinet’s phrasing in moments of breathtaking synergy. Together, the instruments create a sonic landscape that feels like a reverberation of emotion, soft, glowing, and endlessly immersive. “Privé – Audio de Réverbère” is not just a piece of music; it is an experience, a moment suspended in sound, where classical beauty, soulful depth, and jazz’s spontaneous spirit unite to form something profoundly elegant and unforgettable.
François Marius – Jah Bamba (Acoustic Version):
“Jah Bamba (Acoustic Version)” by François Marius begins as a soft, organic acoustic ballad before gracefully unfolding into a warm blend of acoustic soul and reggaeton rhythm, a rare hybrid that feels both intimate and rhythmically alive. The opening moments are breathtaking in their simplicity: an acoustic guitar rings out with clean, resonant tones, its chords softly brushed and plucked with tenderness, immediately drawing the listener into a space of reflection and serenity. Marius’ voice enters smoothly, calm yet expressive, carrying a soulful timbre that feels rich with emotion and experience. The purity of his tone intertwines with the acoustic instrumentation, the gentle resonance of the guitar, the faint shimmer of a piano, and the subtle hum of a bassline grounding the sound in warmth. It’s not just acoustic minimalism; it’s sonic intimacy, where each note breathes naturally. As the song unfolds, there’s a distinct shift, a rhythmic heartbeat begins to emerge beneath the calm, introducing percussive accents that hint at something deeper. The transition feels effortless, like a breeze changing direction, as the acoustic rhythm begins to sway into a smooth, tropical reggaeton groove that transforms the track from a heartfelt serenade into an elegant rhythmic flow.
This fusion of acoustic purity and reggaeton pulse is what makes the track so incredible and distinctive. Marius doesn’t abandon the acoustic essence; instead, he expands it, layering soft percussive elements, light drums, and a subtle electronic bass that gives the track a vibrant undercurrent without overwhelming its organic soul. The groove feels inviting and hypnotic, the rhythm settling into that irresistible reggaeton sway while still preserving the warmth of live instrumentation. The clarinet adds a surprising layer of sophistication, weaving through the rhythm with smooth melodic touches that bring a jazz-inflected elegance to the mix. The piano and guitar maintain a dialogue, one accentuating the chords, the other carrying gentle melodic runs that complement Marius’ vocal phrasing perfectly. As his voice glides effortlessly over the groove, his delivery remains heartfelt and sincere, never losing the reflective core that the acoustic opening established. The fusion feels seamless, acoustic soul meeting Latin rhythm, creating a sound that is both emotionally stirring and rhythmically uplifting. “Jah Bamba (Acoustic Version)” stands out not only for its musicality but for its feeling: it captures tranquility, movement, and spirit in one frame, proving that the most captivating songs are those that dare to blend worlds while keeping the heart of their message intact.