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



BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Zachary Ray feat. Shreya Bhattacharya & Bernard Dafney/ Cloud 9

Label: Self-released

Rating: *** 1/2

A few months ago, independent artiste Zachary Ray worked with singer Siddharth Basrur on the single 'Danger'. Now, he collaborates with Shreya Bhattacharya and Bernard Dafney on 'Cloud 9'.

The song has a retro pop meets rhythm n' blues feel, and optimistic lines that talk of being hopeful even when down. "Nothing can hold me down", is the song's leitmotif.

The three singers show good individual technique, besides showing understanding as a team. T. Krishna Kumar's video captures their expressions in close-up glory. But in the end, lines like "No matter how I'm feeling, my future's bright" leave you on a high.

Devika/ Kalli Kalli Raati

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Earlier this year, Delhi-born, San Francisco-based singer Devika released 'Dil Tenu', a pleasant, loungey track with a folk vibe. Her latest 'Kalli Kalli Raati' gets into rocksier territory.

Though the main tune threatens to get into 'Mera Laung Gawacha' mode, but miraculously stops, the song is helped by Devika's rustic voice and Simon Jacobsson's raw guitars.

The song is about a girl asking her lover not to leave her alone at night and return home soon. The Sufi-folk-rock mix is just perfect, and George Masin's video has that night-air look.

Divine feat. Armani White/ Baazigar

Label: Gully Gang

Rating: ** 1/2

The song begins with a sample of the title song from the 1993 film Baazigar, with producer Karan Kanchan making Alka Yagnik sound like she's running the 100-metre dash. Suddenly, Divine's voice takes over, rhyming 'baazigar' with 'caliberrr' or 'aansoon parr' or 'jaadugarrr'. Such dangerrr.

The song is from Divine's new album Gunehgar, whose title song was released as a video two months ago. 'Baazigar' doesn't have a video yet, but there's a guest appearance by American rapper Armani White.

Divine and Karan Kanchan had earlier sampled the hit 'Goli Maar Bheje Mein' in their song 'Satya'. And while 'Baazigar' has been well-produced and has a certain energy, one hopes they don't making Bollywood sampling a habit.

BPraak & Neeti Mohan/ Roohedaariyaan

Label: DM - Desi Melodies

Rating: *** 1/2

Singer BPraak teams up with the talented Neeti Mohan on 'Roohedaariyaan'. Akashdeep Sengupta's composition has a Bollywood Sufi feel, somewhat reminiscent of A.R. Rahman a decade ago.

Shloke Lal's lyrics combine the bitterness of a strained relationship with warm memories. Arvindr Khaira's video has a definitive script, unlike many films one sees today.

Actors Shaylea, Rahul Jaittly and Sana Sultan star as three people in the triangle, though the singers make appearances too. The whole thing has a very filmi flavour, which should work.

Yogesh Rairikar feat. Nihira Joshi-Deshpande/ Dil Mein Hoga

Label: Yogesh Rairikar Originals 

Rating: *** 1/2

Composer Yogesh Rairikar's new ghazal 'Dil Mein Hoga' is part of the series #musicforcause, themed around mental health. Nihira Joshi-Deshpande has sung words penned by Sandeep Gupte.

Ajinkya Deshmukh's video, featuring Akash Sood and Nihira, shows a boy being guided in a sisterly  "manner till he comes out of his depression. The opening lines are, "Dil mein hoga, nahin kaha hoga; sunne waalon ne sun liya hoga".

The melody is enhanced by Rahul Tiwari's production, ID Rao's woodwinds and Arbaz Khan's guitar. It's a simple tune, with deep meaning.



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