Naren's indie round-up/ Sep 2023, Ep 5

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Antariksh/ Dastan-e-Dil (Shine Your Light)

Label: Merchant Records 

Rating: *** 1/2

Fronted by Varun Rajput, Delhi band Antariksh releases its latest single 'Dastan-e-Dil (Shine Your Light)' as part of SoundChk Season 1, a collaboration between Merchant Records and Cred Club.

The song is a smooth blend of Hindi and English lyrics, aided by a strong guitar section by Rajput and Shrikant Biswakarma. The English words go, "When I look into your eyes, it melts away my pride, I feel brave and I feel free".

The video, directed by Tushar Mahajan, features a live performance with the band members dressed in white. The song has a 1990s pop-rock feel which makes for pleasant listening.

Frntflw with Zachary Ray & Akanksha Bhandari/ Together 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Talking of bilingual tracks, there's this new release called 'Together', where DJ-producers Frntflw tie up with singers Zachary Ray, a Boston musician settled in India, and Akanksha Bhandari.

It's an experimental electronica number using trendy keys and rhythms. While the composition has a lilt, the varying beat structures add variety, though they sound tinny at times.

The song has a club vibe, with the lines "Just when I thought I've had enough, there you are" meeting "Ab chaahe shaam dhale, yahaan safar mein andhere, dinko mile roshni, hai jo tu saath mere". Tap your feet to that.

Tech Panda & Kenzani/ Dua

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

More club, more electronica, but with a twist. This one comes from popular Delhi producer duo Tech Panda and Kenzani (Rupinder Nanda and Kedar Santwani) who change from their regular style by using a techno sound.

In all the EDM-giri they add a fabulous vocal sample. We don't see any credits. Even the words, barring 'dua', are unclear. Rather than end abruptly, one wishes they played around with the earworm-ish vocal line a bit longer. You could have danced that much more.

Advait Sawant feat. Abhay Jodhapurkar/ Tu Hi Re

Label: Merchant Records

Rating: ***

Composer Advait Sawant teams up with singer Abhay Jodhapurkar and lyricist Deepak Yadav on the love song 'Tu Hi Re'. The video, directed by Aakib Siddique, shows an artist (Rahul Solanki) sketching the girl he loves (Sudeepta Dhar).

The words are, "Tu hi re, tu hi re, tu humraah hai, tu hi re, tu hi re, tu ehsaas hai, tu jo rahe sang mere, rab meherbaan hai, tu hi re, tu hi re, bas mere saath hai".

It's a simple song which focuses on keyboard and guitar. Good for the love birds.

Ambar Das & Pritisha Borthakur/ Hazy Days

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

One doesn't get to hear too many rootsy country-rock numbers from Indian indie artistes. As such, this collaboration between singer-composer Ambar Das and lyricist Pritisha Borthakur is welcome.

A journalist and author, Borthakur makes her debut as a lyricist on 'Hazy Days'. The song talks about a person settled in urban land remembering his hometown, family and friends.

Das has a sonorous voice which suits the country space. The guitars by Dishankan Boruah and bass by Abhinav Borah have a subtlety that matches this tuneful song. The emotions are expressed beautifully.





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