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

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Leslee Lewis/ Tere Bina Love

Label: Self-released

Rating: *** 1/2

Singer-composer Leslee Lewis has had an illustrious career in Indian pop, and is best known as one half of the Colonial Cousins, his partnership  with Hariharan. He's now out with his solo The White Album, a title one would associate with the Beatlles.

The video song 'Tere Bina Love' is blends English and Hindi lyrics, and has a jazz and pop flavour, with some scatting too. The lines, "Tere bina love, don't mean a thing, tere bina love, and I don't wanna sing, tujhko mera dil chaahe, main kya karoon" are trademark Leslee.

The video, showing a live performances for visitors at an open-air restaurant, has been themed in white. Musicians and guests dresses in white, white guitar, white doors etc. It goes with the album title and the song's vibe.

Shalmali Kholgade/ Chills

Label: Self-released in association with Believe

Rating: *** 1/2

Here's a trendy, uptempo track that's perfect for the club space. Singer-songwriter Shalmali Kholgade keeps the energy level high on 'Chills', the first single from her forthcoming album 2X Side B.

Aided by smart production by Sunny MR, keys by ZIA and stunning basswork by Roland Fernandes, this song has a strong groove and hook. The line, "You got me, you got me fixed on you, you" is singalong material, and the way 'you' is sung is delightful.

The video, featuring Farhan Shaikh and Shalmali, has been directed by Lendrick Kumar (almost read that as 'Kendrick Lamar!!!'). With some cool dance footage, it's aimed at the young audience. Wish there was less repetition of some shots though.

The Anirudh Verma Collective/ Vasanthi

Label: Self-released

Rating: ****

Delhi-based The Anirudh Verma Collective has been creating some wonderful contemporary versions of classical raags and compositions. Their April release Homecoming has renditions of the Hindustani Bhimpalasi, Jaijaiwanti and Bihag, besides the Carnatic raag Vasanthi.

Verma has now released a live performance of Vasanthi, known in Hindustani as Bhupeshwari or Bhoopkali. It's a live recital where keyboardist Anirudh, vocalist Sowmya Gurucharan, Carnatic guitarist Abhay Nayampally, ghatam player Varun Rajasekharan and bassist Madhur Chaudhary play impromptu.

It's a soothing number, beautifully constructed and executed. While the live YouTube performance lasts over nine minutes, there's a five-miniute version on Spotify. Go for the former, despite the sudden ending.

Shruti Pathak/ Haaniya

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

From the melody to the video, there's something earthy and rustic about Shruti Pathak's Punjabi song 'Haaniya'. The dholak by Prashant Sonogra and sitar by Ravi Chary lend a folksy feel.

Shruti's voice is melodious, and is ably assisted by the production by Sangeet and Siddhath Haldipur. Lyrics by Sahil Khattar and Manoj Yadav talk of love, heartbreak and hope.

Aswin Nambiar's video, starring Gunveen Manchanda and Siddhant Mishra, has a natural setting. Open fields, bicycle rides and scenes from a gurdwara make it look very realistic.

Rashmeet Kaur/ Lagan Lagi

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ** 1/2

The other new Punjabi release is by Rashmeet Kaur, whose contemporary take of the traditional 'Bajre Da Sitta' was well-received. This time, on 'Lagan Lagi', she has attempted the verse of Sufi mystic poet Bulleh Shah.

As an audio experience, the reinterpretation is fine with its catchy hook, and Pranay Parti's production. However, the video is a complete mismatch, repeating the same shots, and totally out of sync with Bulleh Shah's meaning. Lines like "Bin darshan kaise tariye, kya kariye" just don't match the visuals.