Upamanyu Mukherjee/ Negotiating Oxytocin

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Upamanyu Mukherjee/ Negotiating Oxytocin

Genre: Alt-pop

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

He's only 16, but writes songs with a maturity that transcends his age. On his debut album Negotiating Oxytocin, Pune-based singer-songwriter Upamanyu Mukherjee produces seven tracks that could be clubbed under the alternative or experimental pop.

The album title is inspired by the chemical hormone (oxytocin) related to love and its subsidiary emotions. As such, the songs are about love, infatuation, betrayal, guilt and other emotions related to a young heart. Backed mainly by keyboards and at times by guitar, Upamanyu uses his natural voice to express an array of thoughts. Production, shared by him and Onkar Tarkase, is basic, going with the mood of the songs.

The opening track, 'Friend', is about being betrayed. The words are blunt, with lines like, "Every time you needed a shoulder you cried on mine, but once it was over you gladly left like it was fine" and "I don't want to be a friend any more, makes me feel like dying". Simple but effective.

'Lonely' is about the emotions one feels after a relationship is over, with guilt-ridden lines like 'I've been feeling hopeful that you would see I'm sorry". Likewise, 'I Love You' is about unrequited love as Upamanyu sings, "Every thing she does from the way she laughs to the way she talks, has been wearing my heart out on my sleeve hanging off my arm, but will she ever notice?"

'For You' has a familiar air, but it's a tune that sticks to you, with the keyboard and the arrangements adding to the effect. 'Smithereens' has a sharp bitterness with lines like, "We blew it all to smithereens, now it's time for you to get out of my dreams".

The tempo picks up slightly on '7:55', which uses a steady rhythm. On 'Fallen', Upamanyu makes reference to a bank to say love is not about the money. With its sprightly guitar, this song gets into rocksier territory.

Upamanyu has an expressive voice which sounds older than his 16 years. He's also at a stage where voices can change in texture, and thus will need to adapt to that natural process if needed. 

His debut album, of course, is a sincere and qualitatively strong effort, with some commendable songwriting. While one may check it out on the audio streaming platforms, three videos ('I Love You', 'Lonely' and '7:55') are available on YouTube. Looking forward to hearing more from the youngster.