Prateek Kuhad/ The Way That Lovers Do

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Prateek Kuhad/ The Way That Lovers Do

Genre: Indie/ folk

Label: Elektra Records

Rating: ***

Jaipur-bred indie singer-songwriter Prateek Kuhad suddenly made headlines when former US President Barack Obama included his song 'cold/ mess' in his list of favourites for 2019. While his shows draw great responses, his videos for 'Kasoor' and 'Shehron Ke Raaz' became hugely popular last year. However, he has stuck to a standard formula on other singles, and some repetition began creeping in.

The good news was that Prateek bagged a deal with, Elektra Records, and his album The Way That Lovers Do is just out. Being an international release, he sticks to English songs, most talking of love, heartbreak and relationships. The sound is very much in the western folk-pop category, with co-producer Ryan Hadlock giving it a supple feel.

It's a short album, spanning 11 tracks over 33 minutes. And while the songs are strong on lyrics, there's a bit of inconsistency on the melodic front. On many tunes, Prateek uses the safe formula, and mid-way through the album, monotony creeps in, only to disappear over the last few tracks.

Some tracks stand out, mainly because Prateek opts for variety. With its smooth delivery and infectious tune, 'Co2' has an international flavour, with the lines, "And even if you leave, I may be fine, 'cause my heart, it has its own design". There's a lilt in this song which makes it addictive. Then, on 'Bloom', he sings, "I know love when I see it bloom, I know feelings when I see them in a room, yeah they need you and me". The song then talks of loneliness.

'All I Need' is a good opening track, using lines like, "I wanna love you like the storm that lives inside me baby, pull me deep in your sea". He uses a similar emotion on the concluding number 'Full Time Lover', singing, "Falling in love with you is my full-time occupation".

Prateek has released two videos, of which the second 'Favorite Peeps' has an edgy sound and  timely energetic bursts. While the storyboard is relatable, the song is boosted by limes like, "My fire is strong but sometimes I leap into the pits of imaginary slumps". 

The first single 'Just A Word' is hampered by a predictable tune, though it impresses with the lines, "Do you see me, and feel me? Did your body deceive me? Can you heal me before our lips entwine?" That's pretty much the case with some of the other songs like 'Hollow', 'Face' and 'Drown' as intense lyric-writing is backed by a certain blandness in the tunes.

For Prateek, of course, this is a great break, and his forthcoming tour of the US, Europe and UK should expand his fan base considerably. Maybe he should tweak some of these songs for live performance.