Naren's indie round-up/ Nov 2023, Ep 2


BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

The Tramlines Project/ Lucid Dream

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

Bengaluru-based post-rock group The Tramlines Project performed at AntiSocial, Mumbai, on November 9 to promote its debut album Perception. Fronted by composer-guitarist Rahul Seth, they impressed with their technical finesse and imaginatively created soundscapes. 

'Lucid Dream', released as a video song, is part of the album. Here, Seth is accompanied by guitarist Prajwal Shekar, bassist Surya Kalyan and drummer Aritra Ray. The song flows like a river, meandering through ambient spaces and suddenly changing trajectory before reaching a defined destination.

The album has some fabulous tracks like 'Empty Inside', 'Alive', 'Output' and 'Hope'. It may require a certain mental tuning for the listener, but it surely grows after a few listens.

Saroj Kashyap/ Rabbithomes 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Earlier this year, Bengaluru-based singer-songwriter Saroj Kashyap had impressed with the song 'Nargis'. She continues the good form on her latest song 'Rabbithomes', her voice in perfect shape.

The song talks of a girl's feelings at the ages of four, 12 and 25, right through infatuation, heartbreak and the re-ignition of romance. Riddick Bhattacharya's guitar acts as a strong backdrop, changing mood with the song's progression.

The lyrics video is simple, with close-ups showing different moods. Predictable but conveys the message.

Sowmya Raoh feat. Sheela Bellave Ravindran/ Ek Tillana

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Singer Sowmya Raoh teams up with Sheela Bellave Ravindran on 'Ek Tillana', a peppy number released for the festive occasion.

The song, composed and written by Sowmya (on right in the picture), blends the classical concept of wordless tillana with lines that talk of positivity. The words go, "Kal ka kya pata, pal hai yeh tera, khulke aaj ko toh jee lo".

Infusing a contemporary dance flavour and vibrant beats, the song blends traditional and modern. It's got a hook that lingers, and the video shot in Goa goes well with the vibe.

Sreetoma Bandyopadhyay/ Ghata Sawan Ki

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Talking of peppy songs, here's one by Kolkata singer Sreetoma Bandyopadhyay. 'Ghata Sawan Ki' is her first original song, and it's got a foot-tapping quality that's welcome.

The music, by Mayookh Bhaumik, is reminiscent of A.R. Rahman's 1990s style. There's a driving rhythm, supple sargams, and a marvellous flute part by Soumyajyoti Ghosh. The line "Ghata saawan ki thandi phuhaar"  hints at the song's mood.

Shubham Chatterjee's video has appealing outdoor shots and an overall bubbliness. Overall, a good start for the singer's original music.

Divij Naik/ Khwahishein

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Mumbai-based singer Divij Naik has regular put out new releases like the songs 'Zehen' and 'Roshni', and the EP Ek Guzarish Hai. His latest song 'Khwahishein' is a romantic number.

Written by Divij himself, the lines go, 'Khwahishein hain meri, har lamha tere sang jiyoon, khwahishein hain meri, ke tere dil mein main rahoon, main rahoon".

Divij has an expressive voice and the orchestration flows well with the song. The romantic nature is an asset.


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