Naren's indie round-up/ Jan 2022, Ep 1

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Corner Cafe Chronicles/ DIY Generation 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Last July, Mumbai experimental rock band Corner Cafe Chronicles released its album Renaissance. They've now put out 'DIY Generation', the first single from the 'part 2' album.

This song falls very much in the punk-rock space, with lots of distortion, skin-tight rhythms and a fabulous guitar coda. Chinmay Patkar's vocals are raw and incisive, as he sings, "I'm a conflict without cause" and "You have messed around too much".

The song has been co-written by Chinmay and bassist Soumitra Vichare. The lyrics advise people to find their own identity. One finds influences of Green Day and The Offspring but the boys have their own touch in the end.

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Anushka Jag/ Love You Like You Never Left

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

With her natural style, Anushka Jag has regularly come out with good material in the pop-rock sphere. Her new single 'Love You Like You Never Left' goes into even more old-school retro territory.

The song is about how to move on after a relationship is over. "I can't fight, can't deny that you need to be free", she sings. Matt Wong handles production, and a lyrics video has been created by Spearhead Pictures as an add-on.

Anushka's previous single 'Vixen' was more blunt and in-your-face. In both cases, she sounds good.

KK/ Zindagani

Label: Rave Studios

Rating: *** 1/2

Singer KK has had some great songs like 'Tadap Tadap', 'Pal' and 'Awarapan'. Though he recently sang in Bob Biswas and 83, he seems to have cut down on his Hindi film work. His latest non-film single 'Zindagani' comes as a welcome move.

KK's strength has always been his heartfelt expression, and this piano-driven sad song is no different. "Mujhse hui kaisi khataa, rooth kar zindagi tujhe kya mila", he sings to words written and composed by Ankit Kholia. As expected, there's a sudden entry into the higher register mid-way.

The video, featuring Sanyam Pahuja, Chitranshi Dhyani and G.S. Arora, may be a bit over-sentimental, but goes with the song's mood. One hopes KK releases more singles that reflect his range.

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Oxygen On The Rocks/ Manchala

Promoter: ArtisteAloud

Rating: ***

We've had an overdose of 'journey' songs talking about seeking purpose and direction in life. So subjectwise, 'Manchala' offers nothing new. The relief, however, is that it's been rendered well by Oxygen On The Rocks.

With vocals and guitars by Souvik Chakraborty, the song has lines like "Baarishon ko peena hai, har lamha ab jeena hai, main chala". A highlight is Dipayan's harmonica, aided by simple use of bass, ghatam and hand percussion.

Bilwanath Chatterjee's video has a simple, rustic look. The group is impressive though one wishes it chooses newer and less predictable subjects. In indie music, we've travelled a bit too much and need a break.

Sniti Mishra/ Baju Band Khul Khul Jaye

Label: Strumm Sound

Rating: ****

From Lata Mangeshkar to Jagjit Singh to Abida Parveen, many singers have sung the famous Bhairavi thumri 'Baju Band'. Now, young singer Sniti Mishra interprets it in a laidback lounge form.

Brought up in Odisha, Sniti has a wonderful voice and marvellous harkats. Check out her range when she sings the phrase 'Jadoo ki pudiya'. While the singer sticks to the traditional style, Kshitij Tarey's arrangement uses guitar and keyboard subtly, without trying to overshadow the vocals.

The video, by First Films Production, seems way too simple. Perhaps a convincing narrative was needed.