Naren's indie round-up/ Feb 2022, Ep 4

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Mohit Chauhan ft Saumya U/ Teri Ada

Label: VYRL Originals 

Rating: ***

From the band Silk Route and solo album Fitoor to films like Rockstar and Delhi-6, singer Mohit Chauhan has had a fair number of good tunes. He now appears on the love song 'Teri Ada'.

Kaushik-Guddu's composition and Kunaal Verma's lyrics have freshness, as the song talks of love at first sight. Mohit's singing is expressive, but though Saumya Upadhyay is credited, she's hardly there, appearing more like back-up vocals at the end.

The video, directed by ADP, stars Mohsin Khan and Shivangi Joshi (in picture). It's another run-of-the-mill attempt to look like a Yash Raj Films product.

Radhika Sood Nayak/ Hindu Nahin Na Musalmaan

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

Prolific Sufi singer Radhika Sood Nayak's newer releases have included poet Baba Bulleh Shah's 'Ishq Kamaal' and Shah Hussain's 'Assan'. Her latest track 'Hindu Nahin Na Musalmaan' is a Bulleh Shah gem.

The poetry is extremely relevant in today's times, with lines like "Hindu nahin na Musalmaan, bhaye niranjan taj abhimaan" and "Ronde na nahin hum hassde, ujade na nahin hum vassde". The song aims to negate dualities, thus embracing amity.

Radhika's powerful rendition is backed by Neil Mukherjee's subtle guitar. This is a song that leaves a strong impression.

Music UnLtd./ See

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Indie act Music UnLtd., the brainchild of Milind Chitnavis aka Milin, has been releasing English and Hindi originals since its formation eight years ago. Its latest 'See' is a voyage into psychedelic rock territory.

After a pleasant keyboard opening, Milin sings, "See, see the change, feel, feel the pain, when you don't want me to play again", elongating some words to enhance the effect. The tempo shifts are smooth, and the bassline is used effectively.

The song has a dream-like quality, and one suggests the use of headphones. After the records And Then Saw Her and Jilted, this is a good addition to the Music UnLtd catalogue.

Aanchal Bordoloi/ Whiskey Blues

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

One has heard Bengaluru-based Assamese vocalist Aanchal Bordoloi in singer-songwriter competitions, whereas she's displayed simplicity and good sense of song construction. Her single 'Whiskey Blues' is evidence of that.

Backed by a melodic guitar line, she sings about a relationship in a very folk-influenced style. "I needed closure, it was best I didn't stay", she sings, before talking of nostalgic moments.

Over just two and a half minutes, Aanchal packs in a lot. One looks forward to more such heartfelt tunes.

The Manta Sidhu Ensemble/ Memory

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

The Manta Sidhu Ensemble has been pretty active on the Delhi circuit, and one finds a few recordings of shows at the popular venue Piano Man on YouTube. Fronted by singer-songwriter Manta, it has released its single 'Memory'.

The song has a distinct folk influence with creative composition, beginning with keys, solo voice and harmonised vocals before percussion takes over.  The words begin, "If I call your name, while you lay there and sleep, will I become more etched in your memory?"

The song has some intense lyrics, including lines like, "So if we ever part again, we can dance to this memory".  It grows on repeated listening, and has a strong replay value.