Naren's indie round-up/ March 2023, Ep 2

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Corner Cafe Chronicles/ Homebound

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

The group Corner Cafe Chronicles hit the headlines three years ago with the EP Renaissance, followed by the single 'DIY Generation'. Their sound is a heady and energetic blend of electronica and psychedelic rock.

The band's latest track 'Homebound' goes into heavier space with vocal delays, swanky synths and crackling guitars. One finds shades of late 1990s alternative and post-grunge too. Frontman Chinmay Patkar sounds super on the line, "Don't you want to know, don't you wanna know, babe?"

The song is about an artiste's yearning for identity. While bassist Soumitra Vichare has stayed with the band, there has been a change in guitarist and drummer. Chinmay holds the group together and creates a rocker.

Aruna/ Confessions

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

India-bred, London-based singer-songwriter Aruna has released her song 'Confessions', which talks of being trapped in situations, involving another girl. A nice pop vibe, country feel and neat guitars enhance the sound.

The song has interesting lyrics like, "Jealousy is my best friend now, I know her well, she's always been around, I never give her a second look, got me feeling things I never understood".

Co-written by Kamran Ramsden, this is the first from a four-track EP. We're looking forward to the others.

Tubby feat. Samantha Noella & Eden Kesang/ Glow

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Mumbai-based compossr Tubby teams up with vocalist Samantha Noella on his latest track 'Glow', with Eden Kesang joining on vocals. The song was released to mark Woman's Day.

Samantha has written the lyrics herself, with the words talking of "the glow you feel from inside, no one can ever take that away from you" and "you just got to be the light that glows".

It's a party-friendly tune with bassist Sheldon D'Silva doing a small cameo at the end. Samantha has released a string of assorted singles over the past couple of years, and this takes her 'journey' forward. Oh, 'Journey' was the title of the song she released last year.

MGeneric/ Sakht Launda

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

This new desi hip-hop song is all about how the singer defines who a sakht launda is. The conclusion is that, "Dreams jiske focussed hai, mind jiska robust hai, aish karke thokar pe, wohi sakht launda hai, sakht launda hai".

The singer is Dr Mufazzal Zulfekar Hussain, who goes by the nom de plume MGeneric. A Mumbai medical practitioner now settled in Qatar, he has also been writing poetry and penning rap songs.

This song makes references to animals, cricket, social media, playlists and Ramgarh of Sholay to arrive at the definition of sakht launda, with the rap even having traces of Dharmendra's khoon pee jaaoonga tone. It's serious rocket science. Hard bhi hai.

Nikhil D'Souza/ Socho

Label: Self-released

Rating: ***

Singer Nikhil D'Souza has been releasing a mix of Hindi and English tracks, having had a hit last year with 'Mausam Hai Pyaar' from the OTT series Modern Love Mumbai. He again teams up with lyricist Pinky Poonawala on his new song 'Socho'.

The vocals on the opening lines seem to copy Prateek Kuhad, but Nikhil proceeds with his own style. The lines, "Na tere pyaar ko, dil haan keh saka, tere aane se pehle toota tha" sum up the emotions.

Though the singing needed a bit more punch and crisper diction, the song impresses with the composition quality. Importantly, it's got a singalong hook.