Naren's indie round-up/ April.2023, Ep. 1

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Shor Police/ You Got Me Good

Promoted by: Tunes Without Borders

Rating: ****

The first thing that strikes you about this number is the groove. It's consistent through the song, which impresses with its charming blend of 1980s retro-pop and later-day disco.

Shor Police, comprising Clinton Cerejo and Bianca Gomes, has your feet tapping on 'You Got Me Good'. The line "Baby pour your love on me" has you singing along.

The video features a live performance shot in a retro disco lights setting. It's the second single from the duo's album Well Hello, after the trendy 'Monopoly Money'. We're looking forward to the rest.

Rohan Solomon/ Serenity 

Label: 44G Records 

Rating: *** 1/2

There's a certain pleasantness in Rohan Solomon's voice that makes it endearing. We'd noted that in 'Without A Trace', and feel it once again in his new song 'Serenity'.

The song is about getting away from busy city life to find a destination where one can find peace. "I stand here in a trance in this blissful land I call home," he sings, against a smooth guitar and orchestral back-up arrangements.

A highlight is Yeashu Yuvraj's video shot in Landour, Uttarakhand. The greenery, hilly paths and mild sunshine get you into a holiday mood, and go with the calm nature of the tune.

Diyatom Deb/ Girl Who Loved The Night

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *****

Diyatom Deb, vocalist of Delhi-based Big Bang Blues, is out with his new solo song 'Girl Who Loved The Night'. It's a power ballad written in classic style, and Diyatom's voice has the power and flexibility to raise it many levels.

A melodic keyboard and haunting strings start makes way for moody guitars which just build up as the song progresses, with the supple rhythm section backing up. Diyatom sings, "Look now the stars are out for you baby, look at that shooting star, look now the moon is singing for you baby, look now the night is here".

The song moves on to a fabulous ending, with the words "You let her die, in the middle of the night" sung on repeat. Breathtaking stuff for six minutes and 50 seconds.

Kar'van/ Neendein 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

This is one of those slow-burn tracks which grows on repeated listening. 'Neendein' is the debut song of Karthik Rao, who goes by the name Kar'van.

The singer has a pleasant voice which he modulates well. The main lines are, "Neendein, sau sawaalon ke yeh cheente, zehan mein khul rahi hain, kho gaya hoon". The song begins with a slower orchestration which picks up tempo gradually.

Shakya Tarafdar's video shows Karthik waking up from a dream, only to realise he has to get to work. The narrative goes with the words.

Hashmat-Sultana/ Tere Bin

Label: T-Series

Rating: ****

Hashmat and Sultana are also known as the Sufi sisters. Over the past four years, they've been admired for songs like 'Umeed', 'Beimaan' and 'Aameen'.

Their latest song 'Tere Bin' talks of the separation of two lovers, and how they go different ways despite remembering the good moments. The voice textures are very similar, and one of them (it isn't clear who) takes the lead while the other sings an occasional line and does harmonies. The impact, aided by Chet Singh's folk-tinged music, is powerful, and the lyrics by Rony Ajnali and Gill Machchrai bring out the pathos.

Sukh Sanghera's video repeats an often-told story but has been filmed well, partly against a snow-clad landscape. In the end, the voices stand out.