The Discovery Mix: Weekly Artist Roundup feat. DJ DIESEL, EDX, Andrea Botez & More
This week’s Discovery Mix taps in with artists who know exactly what they’re doing—pushing sound forward with intention, detail, and identity. From high-functioning club weapons to deeply personal indie pieces, every track here lands with purpose. Some are launching new label eras, others are closing creative chapters years in the making. You’ll find records built for peak-hour impact and others designed to sink in slowly. It’s a full-spectrum listen that captures where sound is going and who’s taking it there.
INDIE-POP & ROCK
tinvis – “Echo”
“Echo” hits a sweet spot. It’s the second single from Texnia, the debut album by tinvis, the recording project of California-based songwriter Joel Daniel. The track was written during extensive travel between California and Texas and draws from themes of displacement and non-belonging. The production was completed with contributions from Max Hart (War on Drugs), Luke Reynolds (Guster), and Eric Gardner (Tom Morello), with portions recorded at Ramble Creek Studio in Austin, TX. Daniel’s songwriting blends regional specificity with observational introspection, incorporating sonic references to Phoebe Bridgers, Neil Young, and Adrianne Lenker. Funded in part by an arts grant through the Davis Independent Music Initiative, which has since grown into a funding network for other local musicians, “Echo” previews an album positioned at the intersection of community-supported art and contemporary indie folk narrative.
Varun Sheel – “Wasteland”
“Wasteland” is a rhythm-driven indie pop single by Boston-based artist Varun Sheel, released March 14. The track is constructed around a danceable K-pop-inspired chord progression, layered with Bollywood melodic elements and contemporary pop arrangements. It follows a series of releases in 2024 that introduced Sheel’s genre-agnostic approach, including “More Than Friends” and “Over You.” Lyrically, the single explores finding optimism in chaos, mirroring global unrest with personal adaptability. Sheel cites influences ranging from Troye Sivan to Salim Merchant, integrating both Western and South Asian pop languages into a cohesive sonic framework. The track is structured for streaming and dance contexts, using percussive consistency and vocal repetition to sustain momentum. “Wasteland” also functions as a beautiful point of convergence for Sheel’s dual cultural identity and his ever-evolving production sensibilities.
ELECTRONIC
DJ MANIFESTO – “Find Our Way Back”
DJ MANIFESTO returns with “Find Our Way Back,” a track that blends progressive house with symphonic elements rooted in his background as a violinist. Based in New York, the artist is known for integrating live instrumentation into his DJ sets, a distinction that’s earned him performances alongside artists like Benny Benassi and Don Diablo. This new single emphasizes emotional pacing and fluid arrangement, layering arpeggiated synths with cinematic strings for a sound both expansive and dancefloor-ready. The melodic topline serves as the centerpiece, repeating in subtle modulation through builds and drops. Structurally, the track balances restraint and momentum, offering a sound that is functional for sets but distinct enough for solo listening. It was released independently, with early coverage from dance platforms signaling support for his hybrid approach. “Find Our Way Back” marks the next step in DJ MANIFESTO’s ongoing focus on live-performance-ready house music with classical overtones.
Zack Martino – “Let You Go”
“Let You Go” is the debut single from Zack Martino’s new imprint, Dusk Till Dawn Records. The release introduces the label’s direction with a blend of melodic house structure, atmospheric vocal layers, and groove-centered production. Martino, whose previous singles have earned four #1 positions on Billboard and Mediabase charts, uses the track to signal a shift toward deeper and more progressive club sounds. The single also acts as a framework for the label’s future identity, focusing on melodic house and techno output. With over 100 million Spotify streams to his name and consistent global rotation, Martino’s work continues to emphasize functional clarity and emotional texture with expert precision. The launch of DTD comes at a time when artist-led imprints are reshaping how niche dance music is distributed and curated. “Let You Go” operates as both a standalone club track and a foundational release for the label’s long-term catalog development.
Andrea Botez & biskuwi – “Going Under” (feat. Sarah de Warren)
“Going Under” is a techno collaboration between Andrea Botez, biskuwi, and vocalist Sarah de Warren, released on March 31 via Monstercat! The track coincides with Transgender Day of Visibility and is framed in the press materials as a moment of LGBTQIA2S+ representation, with biskuwi contributing as a trans artist. Sarah de Warren provides the gorgeous topline vocals, previously recognized for work with Eli Brown, Hardwell, and Maddix. The arrangement relies on spoken word delivery layered over rolling percussion, metallic synths, and modular pads typical of modern techno structures. Andrea Botez, also known for her work as a chess streamer and DJ, has recently released official remixes for Kaskade and Boris Brejcha. biskuwi, based in Stockholm, has performed at Ritter Butzke and received editorial support from Spotify’s Electronic Rising, Tunnel Vision, and Techno Bunker playlists. “Going Under” follows the artists’ 2024 release “Queen’s Gambit” and represents a continuation of their work bridging techno aesthetics with narrative and identity-focused storytelling.
EDX – “Cobalt”
“Cobalt” is the first release of 2025 from Swiss producer EDX, distributed via PinkStar Records, a sublabel of his own Sirup Music. The single is structured for peak-time dance floors, combining classic house rhythm with modern sound design and atmospheric layering. It was timed to coincide with the 10th edition of EDX’s No Xcuses Miami showcase and serves as a kickoff to Sirup Music’s 25th anniversary celebrations. Within the production, it includes filtered white noise sweeps, melodic synths, and a deep house bassline layered beneath soft vocal fragments. EDX, a GRAMMY-nominated artist, has maintained a consistent presence in global electronic music over the past three decades, with recent performances at E11even, Palm Tree Club, and Mynt in Miami. “Cobalt” also aligns with broader branding initiatives around the No Xcuses radio show and the label’s 2025 expansion. As EDX’s continues down the path toward melodic house, expect more sonic goodies to come later in the year.
Yuuki Yoshiyama – “Rise Up”
“Rise Up” is the latest single by veteran Japanese producer and promoter Yuuki Yoshiyama, released via Toolroom Records. The track continues his long-standing exploration of tech house, combining club-ready rhythmic sequencing with refined melodic elements. With a career spanning 29 years, Yuuki has performed in over 15 countries and held key executive roles in Japan’s electronic music infrastructure, including serving as Executive Director for EDC Japan and Executive Producer for GMO SONIC. His music consistently blends elements of house, trance, and techno under the alias “Tech Maestro.” In addition to his artistic output, Yuuki oversees Toolroom Tokyo and curates music experiences for W Osaka, Japan’s only W Hotel, where he functions as Music & Entertainment Director. His party brands, including UDVD and WEEKEND BLACKBOX SESSION, have contributed significantly to Japan’s club scene. “Rise Up” supports his ongoing vision of positioning Japanese electronic music on the global stage through both cultural curation and functional dancefloor design.
CatParty – “Frack”
“Frack” is a 90 BPM electro-soul track by Denver-based producer CatParty, released as part of the Grand Alliance Music compilation Vol. 2: MAIORA. “Frack” boasts live guitar performance by T. Evans and reflects CatParty’s ongoing interest in genre fusion, particularly within psychedelic bass and soul-influenced electronic production. Known offstage as Nick Melillo, CatParty has performed at festivals such as Okeechobee, Hulaween, and Sonic Bloom, and has supported artists like Daily Bread and Pretty Lights. His inclusion on the MAIORA compilation, curated by Willdabeast and Mr. Buttonz, aligns with his focus on community-driven releases tied to Denver’s electronic scene. The track title and project theme cleverly references the Latin phrase “Ad Maiora Natus Sum,” which translates to “We are born to aim for greater things.” “Frack” maintains a midtempo pace and features a layered, analog-forward production style. CatParty continues to perform regionally, including a recent event at Cervantes Masterpiece alongside Common Creation and Bass Temple.
tesh – “INDIGO”
“INDIGO” is the third single from CYCLES + REPETITIONS, the forthcoming debut EP by producer tesh, due April 25 via bitbird. The track utilizes a polyrhythmic structure, combining a 6/8 swing pattern over a 4/4 beat to create an excellent rhythmic tension. Set in the conceptual environment of the fictional city Orosboro, “INDIGO” explores the psychological impact of nightlife culture through minimalist techno design. The track’s sonic profile includes distorted synth motifs, subterranean basslines, and disembodied vocal fragments. According to tesh, the track was intended as both a club-ready piece and a commentary on excess, escapism, and systemic collapse within modern city life. Previous releases from the EP have appeared on Spotify’s All New Dance and received coverage from Billboard and Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Electronic editorial. “INDIGO” continues to build on tesh’s thematic interest in merging dancefloor functionality with abstract emotional resonance.
ZUSO – “Erase You” (feat. Matilda Pearl)
“Erase You” is the latest single by Australian producer ZUSO, featuring vocals by Melbourne-based singer Matilda Pearl. The track serves as a preview for ZUSO’s forthcoming EP and blends ambient electronic textures with pop songwriting. Originally titled “For What It Once Was,” the song centers on themes of emotional distance and fading relationships. ZUSO composed the instrumental structure spontaneously, completing the initial arrangement in a single session before sending it to Pearl, who returned vocal stems within hours. The collaboration resulted in a song built on ease and mutual interpretation, with both artists contributing to the final structure. The production is sparse but textured, featuring layered pads, subtle percussion, and lyrical motifs that emphasize impermanence. “Erase You” was mastered by Dan Konopka and represents a shift toward more introspective material in ZUSO’s discography.
NXSTY – “Real Bad Man”
“Real Bad Man” is the latest single from Canadian producer NXSTY, released via Boom Records on February 21. The track returns to his core production style of aggressive trap and bass, featuring distorted 808s and an uptempo arrangement designed for festival and club performance. Originally from Vancouver, NXSTY began producing at age 14 and has since amassed over 500 million streams across platforms. The track builds on his catalog of genre-fluid collaborations, including “Pecadora” with Cheyenne Giles and his remixes for ATLiens and TYNAN. Lyrically, “Real Bad Man” addresses themes of mortality and emotional volatility, framed through a beat structure that emphasizes rhythm over melodic content. The single is part of an ongoing run that includes recent collaborations on Hard Records and an upcoming joint release with HEKLER on Disciple. NXSTY remains a prominent figure in the North American trap scene, noted for his adaptability and consistently high production output.
HIP-HOP
4t9 – “Freedom”
“Freedom” is the debut single from North London artist 4t9, released alongside a visual directed by ODXC. The track blends elements of UK drill and motivational lyricism, centering around themes of self-belief and personal agency. With a performance style grounded in urgency and precision, 4t9 positions his work as a motivational tool for listeners navigating personal and systemic challenges. The single arrives with minimal production ornamentation, opting instead for stripped-back percussion and looped melodies to highlight vocal delivery. 4t9’s branding around the track focuses on mental focus, ambition, and a rejection of external expectation, aligning with a wider ethos often found in UK street music. “Freedom” marks the first official release in what is described as a longer campaign to establish his presence within the national rap circuit. The single is available on all platforms and introduces 4t9 as a new voice in a competitive and evolving UK scene.
