Naren's indie round-up/ Jan 2022, Ep 3

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Armaan Malik/ You

Label: Self-released, licensed to SME/ Arista

Rating: ****

We know him for his Bollywood songs, but Armaan Malik is proficient at English pop too. Check out his work on 'You', a love song that impresses with its melody and hook.

Malik teams up with Jack Edwards on composition, creating an acoustic guitar based tune. The lyrics, credited to Jack, Natania Lalwani and Felicia Ferraro, have relatable lines like, "I've never been the one for sounding clichéd but it's true, all I do is think about you".

The song has a global appeal, and definitely needs to be pushed abroad. The video, starring Armaan and Emma Declercq, complements the tune perfectly.

--

Kabuki Khanna/ Shadows 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

On 'Shadows', singer-songwriter Kabuki Khanna uses a progressive house sound to talk of peace and unity. Like many songs in the genre, this has a club vibe, regular tempo changes and lyrics to sing along to.

The words go, "No more bloodsheds, no more hatred, switching the world won't help, let's unite, bring love to life, I can see my shadows in paradise".

Production by Yush and AJ is commendable. Only, the video seems too formula-driven. Maybe a better script was needed.

--

Shreya Ghoshal/ Uff

Label: Warner Music India/ Indie Music Label

Rating: ***

Shreya Ghoshal has been doing a lot of non-film songs over the past year, and travels through Punjabi territory on 'Uff'. It's a soulful song about love, hope and heartbreak, and Shreya's voice is expressive as always.

Composer Shreyas Puranik creates a melodious tune, using banjo, sarangi and guitar well. Kumaar's lyrics are simple, but routine, beginning with, "Tu dil mera tod gaya, main uff vi na keeti soneya, tu raah vich chhod gaya, main uff vi na keeti soneya".

Arif Khan's video, starring Mohsin Khan and Heli Daruwala, has a filmi look. But ultimately, Shreya's vocals lift the song.

Bharat Chauhan/ Ik Dafa

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ** 1/2

On his new release 'Ik Dafa', Delhi-based singer-songwriter Bharat Chauhan has plenty in his favour. It's a simple composition with acoustic and electric guitars, and ukulele driving it. The lyrics have a certain depth that makes them appealing.

The video has a good concept too, with a jeep and snow-capped woods in the frame. Yet, there's quite a lot of shakiness, and one could have had a much better film.

Bharat has a pleasant voice, but needs more fine-tuning. And while one finds shades of Silk Route, the end result has something missing. He has the potential but needs to put in more.

Akull/ Yaad Na Aaye

Label: VYRL Originals 

Rating: **

Akull Tandon, also from Delhi, is known for the song 'Laal Bindi', released about three years ago. He now comes out with 'Yaad Na Aaye', which the video describes as a "love story with a twist".

There's no twist in Akull's style though, as he sings in that same nasal twang. To top it, you needed three people - Mellow D, Dhruv Yogi and Akull - to write lines like "Yaad na aaye, mujhe yaad na aaye, itni pilado ke woh yaad na aaye".

Mihir Gulati's video, featuring the singer and Angel Rai, is one of those typical restaurant group dance thingies with glasses being raised in sorrow. Maybe we need a swig too.








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