Naren's indie round-up/ Nov 2022, Ep 5

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Neeti Mohan/ Tere Layi

Label: Warner Indie Music Label

Rating: ****

Two things work in favour of the Punjabi song 'Tere Layi'. One is that singer Neeti Mohan is excellent, as one would expect. The second is Jasmen Oza's video, starring Akshay Kharodia, Sidhika Sharma and Ishrat Khan.

The boy leaves for a job elsewhere, and when he's away, the girl, while working in a lab, accidentally drops acid on her face. The subject is handled with sensitivity, as Neeti sings, "Main tere layi theek na yaara".

Siddharth Amit Bhavsar's composition and Gurpreet Saini's lyrics go well with the basic emotion of the song. Hear and watch till the end.

Aanchal Tyagi/ Sajanwa

Label: Indiea Music/ Boon Castle

Rating: ***

Singer Aanchal Tyagi teams up with composer Abhijeet Srivastava on 'Sajanwa', a song that takes a quirky look at modern love. It's a folk-styled tune, a bit routine by nature but buoyed by Shayra Apoorva's smart lyrics and some spontaneous singing.

The video, produced by Spearhead Pictures, stars Aanchal and Varun Vazir. It is set against a young couple's wedding, and has a Bollywood look and feel.

Musically, there is good use of guitars, esraj and choruses. Yet, one senses a predictability and familiarity in the tune.

Sukanya Majumder feat. General Zooz & Arrival Sound/ Falling Down 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Kolkata-based singer Sukanya Majumder has recently released her debut album Around The World with Indian and international artistes. 'Falling Down' is one of the video tracks.

The song has a dancey, reggae sound, though the lyrics are protest in nature. Sukanya has collaborated with rapper General Zooz and producer Arrival Sound System.

The main line "It's all falling down, down, down" has a catchy hook, and the rap goes, "Tell me why is it that some people can't get no food, tell me why some children can't get into school". Intense.

Rishaad/ But I Do

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Born in Geneva and based in Gurugram, Rishaad Chaudhry has been releasing melodic rap songs at regular intervals. His latest 'But I Do' is another heartbreak number sung with soul.

Rishaad is 20 years old and his youthful style of singing should appeal to the teenyboppers. Lyrics like "Tell her you don't love her when you do" carer to that generation.

Though Rishaad has focused on English songs, he also sings in Hindi, having released 'Khafa' and 'Tu'. One feels he should stick to Angrezi.

Keith and Ippi/ Sweet Georgia Brown

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Keith and Ippi is a duo comprising arranger Keith Daniels and vocalist Ippi Roy. In their debut single together, they render the jazz standard 'Sweet Georgia Brown'.

The tune has some intricate work on trumpet (Austin Ford), trombone (Jack Courtwright), tenor saxophone (Joe Perez) and alto saxophone (Chris Bauer). The line-up is completed by keyboards, bass and drums.

The video shows the singer and musicians in different locations. It goes well with the individual parts.