Naren's indie round-up/ March 2022, Ep 2

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

AB Madhav/ Teri Bandagi Ishq Hain

Label: AB Madhav Music

Rating: ****

Singer AB Madhav displays immaculate vocal depth on 'Teri Bandagi Ishq Hain', a Sufiana song about not expecting anything in return while giving love. Aman Moroney's music, the tight rhythms and the classy video make it a really polished effort.

The main line "Bandagi ishq hain, bandagi ishq hain, fakira teri bandagi ishq hain" stick on as an earworm.  Lines like "Chadhne de tu bekhudi, pee le jaam-e-zindagi, bhar ke aadhi aashiqui" give the song a certain depth.

The video, directed by Navaldeep Arora, tells parallel tales of different characters. Using a maroon scarf as a motif, it has emotional shots, lovely foreign locales and vibrant dances. Like the song, it's been produced stylishly.

Ravikesh Vatsa/ Doh Log

Label: Self-released

Rating: ***

This seems like a throwback of the 1970s Rajshri films. A pleasant tune with rustic lyrics, aided by a video with a simple storyline, and Ravikesh Vatsa's 'Doh Log' comes across as pretty appealing.

The video, featuring Ravikesh and Tanishq Rajan, talks about the ups and downs of a relationship. Directed by Subhendra Pal, it moves back and forth between nostalgic flashbacks and current situations.

The lyrics use lines typical of the interiors, with phrases like 'vyaakul man' and 'takey hai preetam'. It's a refreshing change though one wishes it had a stronger hook. You like it when it's playing, but don't remember it too long.

Deepak Kamboj ft Vibie/ Main Chala

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Over the years, a few songs have made reference to smaller Indian cities, examples being 'Bareilly ki bazaar', 'Agre mein hai mashhoor' and 'Jammu se hai jaan hamaari'. As such, Deepak Kamboj's ode to his childhood town Dehradun is a welcome addition.

It's a simple song beginning with the lines, "Main chala main chala in pahadon mein phir main chala". The town reference comes on "Dehradun ki yaadon ko phir se jeene main chala".

Producer Vibie keeps the arrangements simple. However, one wishes the lyrics were more descriptive of the town. This is just a passing mention. The main line is repeated too often, and though it's a catchy tune, one wished there was more.

Rushaki/ Breathe Again

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

In the notes of her video, singer Rushaki describes her new 'Breathe Again' as a song about "the never-ending push and pull of the shadow self". As such, the words talk of a woman's desire to break free.

There's a lot of angst in both the singing and the video, directed by Anurag Sharma. But Rushaki ends with a promise through the lines, "One day I'll breathe again, I'll breathe the air I breathed when I was free".

Rushaki has been with the Pune indie band Coffee For Giraffes, and this is the first single from her upcoming solo debut album. It surely packs a punch.

Pelican Shuffles/ Blown Away

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Kolkata band Pelican Shuffles had released 'Blown Away' in 2018, as part of its EP All Shuffled Up. They've now released an animated lyrics video, which works well even today.

Vocals are shared by guitarist Varun Gujadhar and bassist Subhomoy Mitra, with Sougata Hari on drums. High-energy guitars and crisp singing are in place, as the sound blends rock, punk and alternative.

"I wanna run into a quiet town,where there's no one else, I can hear no sound, no one to criticise, no one to scrutinise, no one to tear me up, no one to blow me away", the song begins. Effective and in-your-face.