Naren's indie round-up/ April 2023, Ep.3

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Indian Ocean/ Jaadu Maya

Label: Self-released

Rating: *****

Fusion-rock pioneers Indian Ocean are out with 'Jaadu Maya', the first single from their forthcoming album Tu Hai. It comes in two versions - the eight-minute complete song and the video edit which is four minutes and 42 seconds long.

Either way, it's a treat as Rahul Ram and Himanshu Joshi sing Varun Grover's lines which talk of a world falling apart, but yet within reach of a silver lining. The lyrics have words like "Tum jitni zehar samajhte ho bas ussey thodi behtar hai", with the line "Kuchh khaak samajh na aavegi is duniya ki jaadu maya" as the main line.

The sound is signature Indian Ocean, bringing back the magic of the Kandisa, Jhini and Black Friday days, reminding you of "Bharam Bhaap Ke'. Nikhil Rao plays some amazing guitar parts, and drummer Amit Kilam is in supreme form, with accompaniment from Rahul's thumping bass. Percussionist Tuheen Chakravorty completes the line-up. Ankit Kapoor's animation on the video is in sync with the words. One eagerly looks forward to the rest of the album.

Hariharan/ Samjha Toh Kar

Label: Bazm-e-Khas Music

Rating: ****

On 'Samjha Toh Kar', Hariharan goes back to his vintage 1990s style. It's a simple song with a romantic flavour, and the video featuring the singer with model Aksha Pardasani has a certain grandeur.

Lyrics are by Aalok Shrivastava, who impresses on lines like, "Kyon milta hai subah se suraj, shaam ka chehra tera kyon hai". The composition by Kshitij Tarey goes with the love theme.

Besides guitar and tabla, the song has a supple string section, arranged by Lavine da Costa. It adds weight to the song.

Bhaskar Das/ Desh

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

On his earlier piece 'Joggers', flautist Bhaskar Das did a contemporary arrangement of raag Jog, keeping the basic raag composition the same. He now uses a similar concept for 'Desh'.

Playing the melody of raag Desh in its popular avatar, he adds Adil Rashid's guitar and Khwab D. Haria's drums to the regular tabla accompaniment by Amit Mishra. Thus, the tune blends a classical body with a jazz-fusion layering.

Videographer Ashray Goyal shoots the musicians in live performance, balancing their parts well on camera.

Agni Webbed/ Cry Of The Valley 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

Both at the beginning and end of his new song 'Cry Of The Valley', Bharath Swamy of the online rock project Agni Webbed sings, "And maybe I was born to write down this song, of lands known far and wide and stories bygone". His reference is to the land of Kashmir.

The song was written in 1991, during the peak of the Kashmir conflict. The meaning stays the same today, and the words also act as a tribute to the Indian army. The chant of Vande Mataram gives a patriotic flavour and the guitars are textbook rock.

Former composer and vocalist of 1990s rock band Agni, Dubai-based Bharath initiated Agni Webbed two years ago. After 'The Monster Within' and 'Tears Of Fire', this is another treat for rock fans.

Renao/ Blind

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Having done well on the badminton circuit, Renao decided to switch to music after attending an Avicii show in Bengaluru. He created the song 'Nobody', which went viral on TikTok.

Now based in London, Renao has recorded a double EP A Space Between Orange And Blue, due for release in June. He's put out his third single 'Blind', a catchy pop song with doses of rhythm n' blues.

Though the lyrics are too routine ("I kept my eyes, kept my eyes, kept my eyes on you" and "Now you get a bit closer, closer, close"), the song has a catchiness that's likeable. Zach Nahome's percussion is crisp. The street scenes in the video look cool too.