In a genre-redefining first, Breakthrough is an electrifying, audio-only singing/songwriting competition series that strips away the superficial to reaffirm what matters most: pure talent. The captivating new Audible Original invites listeners on an intimate musical journey where it doesn't matter what you look like or who you know, just how you sound. Based solely on what they hear, expert celebrity judges Kelly Rowland (Destiny’s Child, The X Factor) and Sara Bareilles (Waitress, Into the Woods, Girls5eva) coach and evaluate five undiscovered artists as host Daveed Diggs (Hamilton, Blindspotting, The Little Mermaid) leads competitors through a series of high-stakes singing and songwriting challenges for one top spot.

As musically gifted as they are artistically unique, each finalist is driven by the same dream: to become music’s next must-listen. But to break through, they’ll have to dig deep, pushing their vocal, songwriting, and recording chops to their absolute limits while keeping their feet (and emotions) firmly grounded. With Kelly and Sara leading the way, each contestant will discover just how bright their star can shine as they remind each of us that pure talent is never just a shot in the dark.

Kelly Rowland and Sara Bareilles get to know five artists competing for $100,000 and a shot at a career breakthrough. Blaze, Johnna, Melanie, Mitch, and Sasha introduce themselves with a cover song that best represents who they are - as individuals, and as artists.

Songs:

“Stand Up“ by Cynthia Erivo: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C672NF34

“Without You“ by Keith Urban: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C66VNHD7

“Hold On” by Shawn Mendes: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C67BYL7V

Tensions mount as the artists race against the clock to finish their songs and make a good impression at the season’s first group listening party. Emotional stories and breathtaking performances leave Kelly and Sara with a difficult decision. 

Songs: 

“The House That Built Me“ by Miranda Lambert: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C673G1HP

“Solamente Una Vez“ by Los Panchos: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C67GS5TW

Kelly Rowland and Sara Bareilles test the artists’ songwriting skills by challenging them to craft an original lullaby with a message to their younger selves. Mitch channels his hopes for his daughter, and Johnna wrestles with a complicated family history.

Songs:

“Unapologetically You“ by Mitch Clark: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C66VNHD7

“More Than Enough“ by Johnna Booth: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C672NF34

“Love You The Same“ by Blaze Johnson: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C67BYL7V

“Sunlight“ by Melanie Mickel: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C67GS5TW

“Still A Little Girl Inside“ by Sasha McVeigh: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C673G1HP

Movements, Miniskirts, and Mo-Town - Kelly Rowland and Sara Bareilles send the artists back in time to the 1960s to learn how musical messages from past cultural revolutions still echo today. Johnna fights for her rights, Melanie craves liberation, and Blaze must choose between advice and intuition. 

Songs: 

“Stand By Me“ by Ben E King: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6BPWGQ7  

“Time Of The Season“ by The Zombies: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6CB3T8S

“You Don't Own Me“ by Lesley Gore: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6C3BLXG  

“Blowin’ In The Wind“ by Bob Dylan: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6C7XK9R  

“Tracks Of My Tears“ by Smokey Robinson: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6C6DNYD

The artists reach their breaking points when they have to reimagine songs completely outside their normal genres. The twist: Kelly Rowland handpicked these songs specifically to push the artists’ boundaries. Sasha faces her vocal demons and Blaze is forced to get creative. 

Songs: 

“I'm In The Mood For Love“ by Louis Armstrong: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6BPWGQ7  

“Alone“ by Heart: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6C7XK9R

“I Say A Little Prayer“ by Diana King: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6CB3T8S

“When The Party's Over“ by Billie Eilish: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6C3BLXG

"At Last“ by Etta James: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6C6DNYD

Producing a truly memorable hook is like catching lightning in a bottle. Luckily, the artists have Kelly Rowland and Sara Bareilles to guide them on this second songwriting challenge. Mitch finds inspiration from an emotional revelation, and Sasha struggles to shake her ballad blues. 

Songs: 

“I Won’t Let It Rain“ by Mitch Clark: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6C6DNYD  

“Heartbreak Hangover“ by Sasha McVeigh: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6C7XK9R

“More“ by Melanie Mickel: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6CB3T8S  

“A Sign“ by Johnna Booth: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6C3BLXG  

“Loco“ by Blaze Johnson: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6BPWGQ7

The artists face their final challenge before the Live Finale: They have to draw upon everything they’ve learned across the competition to write a career-defining original song. And for an added twist, they won’t get feedback from the mentors, but vocal coach Stevie Mackey steps in to help out. Blaze confronts loneliness on the road, Johnna craves stability, and Kelly Rowland and Sara Bareilles push Melanie to search for herself.

Songs:

“Proof“ by Johnna Booth: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6C2DJ43

“So Close“ by Blaze Johnson: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6C45BQY

“Shifted Dreams“ by Melanie Mickel: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0C6BVDLBB