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

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

SamRaag/ Saraswati

Label: Self-released 

Rating: **** 1/2

Formed by tabla exponent Alpesh Moharir, SamRaag is a band that's inspired by classical and world music. On its latest recording 'Saraswati', it does a fusion rendition of the Saraswati Vandana, the mantra penned by Sage Agastya.

The vocals are done in classical style by Madhav Agrawal aka AB Madhav. He maintains the purity of the mantra and shows wonderful technique. The composition in raag Saraswati is played to a nine-beat rhythmic cycle.

Siddhesh Borkar's guitars add a rock mix to the sound, and he doubles up on bass. Flautist Kshitij Saxena comes up with melodic passages. Alpesh's tabla, keyboardist Vipul Mhatre and drummer Sanchit Mhatre complete the line-up, giving the song the right balance.

Sachet-Parampara/ Deewani 

Label: T-Series

Rating: ***

After releasing the hit song 'Malang Sajna' late last year, the duo of Sachet and Parampara Tandon come out with 'Deewani'. It's a love song with a dance flavour, and lines like "O tere sang laage aisi ankhiyaan, chain mohe laaye". 

Evidently, Kumaar's lyrics focus on the masses. And Adil Shaikh's video has simple shots of the couple dancing in clubs, the airport or on board steamers. They make a cute jodi.

The song seems like an extension of 'Malang Sajna', including the way the female vocals are introduced in the centre. The repetition of the line "Deewani, teri deewani" sounds forced but they had to cater to the filmi janta, didn't they?

Komorebi/ I Grew Up

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Tarana Marwah aka Komorebi has been creating some cool and dreamy electronica numbers for a while. She's now gearing up for the release of her album The Fall, which tells the story of Kiane and her owl friend Owlie, as narrated through the accompanying comic book.

The first single 'I Grew Up' talks of personal growth and the choices one makes in life. The song is depicted through an animated music video created by the international agency Media.Monks and directed by R. Venkatraman.

"In this world of only half-truths, it's the path of love that I choose", sings Komorebi in her pleasantly textured voice. She combines with Gaurav Raina in the production duties, giving the song a rich sound.

Arrows feat. Siddharth Basrur & Warren Mendonsa/ Fight This Fight

Label: Self-released

Rating: ****

Picture credit: Parizad D

With his project Arrows, composer and music journalist David Britto (in pic) collaborates with various guests to create an assortment of sounds. His latest 'Fight This Fight' features vocalist Siddharth Basrur and guitarist Warren Mendonsa aka Blackstratblues.

Written as a reaction to the Pandemic, this is the first single from the forthcoming Arrows EP Friends Tonight, Strangers Again.  The words "I know that we will fight this fight, we are coming out and coming right" have a motivational mood.

Siddharth's vocals go very well with Warren's guitarwork. And at just less than three minutes, this is perfect for the radio.

Perfect Strangers/ On The Wild Side

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

On the number 'On The Wild Side', vocalist Ananya Raja (in pic) sings, "And I was taught to fool myself with the man in the mirror, it felt so wrong every time, and as I sang looking at this pane of glass, all I see is God's pantomime". 

Performed by the Bengaluru group Perfect Strangers, the song talks of the turmoil and pain of a transgender person. Though the flavour is rock, with Debjeet Basu's guitars and Joshua Costa's keys doing tight runs, it is Sweethin Hartman's saxophone which provides a jazz-like twist, almost mirroring the power-packed vocals.

The song is an updated version of the band's 2018 number 'Wild Side', which had Raphael Emmileenaa on vocals and wasn't backed by sax. The new video has been directed by Sanket Chakraborty and also features bassist Shalini Mohan and drummer Preran Gulvady. Besides live shots in the studio, it has an aerial dance performance by Vana Rosa. Some good footage that goes with the energy of the song.