Naren's indie round-up/ Jan 2024, Ep 4

 

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Uday Benegal with Podsongs/ Hollow Bones 

Label: The Independent Record Company 

Rating: ****

It started when Indus Creed frontman Uday Benegal appeared on British musician Jack Stafford's series Podsongs, where he interviewed telepathic animal communicator Manjiri Latey. He and Stafford wrote the song 'Hollow Bones', where Indus Creed guitarist Mahesh Tinaikar and keyboardist Zubin Balaporia were joined by Italian musicians.

Uday's voice is in top shape as he sings, "Hollow bones, human-based telephones, all embraced, calling all creatures, every race, tune into your inner space". The song communicates the essence into the journey of animal communication. Bassist Luigi Falcione, drummer Massimino Voza and multi-instrumentalist Maurizio Samicola complete the line-up, and all the musicians blend well with the voice.

Parikrama/ Life Is Certain

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

Delhi rock super-heroes Parikrama have been very prolific over the past year. After the brilliant 'Demons Of Time', first played live at Independence Rock in Mumbai in November 2023, they have now put out 'Life Is Certain'.

Nitin Malik's vocals are smooth as he sings long passages effortlessly. The guitars by Saurabh Chaudhry and Abhishek Mittal adorn the middle part. Keyboardist Subir Malik, bassist Gaurav Balani and drummer Srijan Mahajan chip in fluently.

The words have positive thoughts, as Nitin sings, "We're all walking here, like the wind, the skies, the trees; life is certain, a little bit like you and me". While we're looking forward to hear the song live, the band has put out a video, which is a fan interpretation by Aankit Rajput. Worth a watch.

Charithr/ Around The Clock

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Hardik Bansode, who goes by the name Charithr, does everything on his new song 'Around The Clock', from writing, composing and singing to playing guitars, synth and flute. 

The four-minute acoustic ballad is about how people run around the clock for survival. "It's hard to become the man I was meant to be, I'm not a bit of a boy I used to be", Charithr sings at the end. The arrangements are well-done.

The song is a contrast to his previous single 'Wild Wild Sunshine', which was hard-rocking, complete with electric guitar solo. Always good to show variety.

Abhiruchi Singh/ Tu Mileya

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Unlike many Punjabi wedding songs which focus on vibrant beats and naach-gaana, this comes as a breath of melodious fresh air. Interestingly, it was written by singer-composer Abhiruchi Singh for her own wedding with comedian Jayvijay Sachan.

The song has simple lines like, "Heer banke main Ranjha main mila, har janam mera hona soniya, tu mileya rab mileya jab mileya dil khileya, sang tere dur jaana mahiya". A brief vocal stretch by Aasa Singh adds a different touch, and the back-up vocals and Garvit Soni's production are assets.

Pratibha Singh Baghel/ Apni Ankho Mein 

Label: Sufiscore 

Rating: *** 1/2

Ghazal and light classical singer Pratibha Singh Baghel chooses a composition by Naveed Nashad in her latest release. 'Apni Ankho Mein' has a very simple melody line that makes it easy on the ear.

Qamar Nashad's lyrics follow a quatrain (rubaai) pattern, with the words, "Apni aankhon mein koi khwaab sajaaya na karo, apne jalwon se kaho khwaab mein aaya na karo, ishq ek rog hai, yeh rog lagaaya na karo, apne jalwon se kaho khwaab mein aaya na karo".

Rajeev Goswami's video shows Pratibha walk through peaceful streets with grand architectural backdrops. Though it looks serene, wish it had some kind of narrative, instead of seeming like some aimless jaywalking exercise.