Naren's indie round-up/ Feb 2024, Ep 2

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Mohit Chauhan/ Duur

Label: Self-released

Rating: ****

After starting his career with the group Silk Route, singer Mohit Chauhan embarked on a solo career and even sang for films like Rockstar and Delhi-6. He's now working on his new album Musafir, and the video for the first single 'Duur' is out.

Mohit is joined by Mongolian singer Baatarjav Ergdenetsogt, who also plays traditional instruments from that region. Parasher Baruah's video captures outdoor locales like snow-capped mountains and pined trees. 

Prarthana Gahilote's lyrics have words like, "Kahin raasta chal raha hai, kahin thak ke tham gaya hai, barfon ke saaye mein yahin kab mein bhi kho gaya". The tune has a typical Mohit touch, pleasant, hummable and 'hill-flavoured'.

Reek Roy Chowdhury/ Teri Meri Baatein 

Promoted by: Greenroom India

Rating: ** 1/2

Here's another song about mountainous regions, hill stations and wonderful weather. 'Teri Meri Baatein' has pleasant arrangements and neat guitar lines. Unfortunately it needed better vocals.

Reek Roy Chowdhury' singing goes all over the place in the antara. "Yeh teri meri baatein alag hai duniya se abhi, hamari mulaqatein ghazab hai duniya se abhi", he sings. To an extent, Monish Paul's music and the picturesque video directed by Priyam Mondal act as saving graces.

Advait Sawant, Abhay Jodhapurkar & Mughda Hasabnis/ Pahila Vahila

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Composer Advait Sawant's new song 'Pahila Vahila' is a Marathi love ballad sung by Abhay Jodhapurkar and Mughda Hasabnis, with Samruddhi Pande writing the simple lyrics.

The song has a pleasant acoustic guitar backdrop played by Debanjan Biswas. In the end, it's Advait's arrangements that stand out for their depth.

Though the video doesn't have much of a narrative, it's simple and goes with the song. Directed by Mangesh Sudhakar Jadhao, it stars Rohan Solanki and Pratiksha Kale. The song was released for Valentine's Day though it's an all-season number.

Chirag Todi feat. Chezin/ Cross The Line 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Ahmedabad-based composer-guitarist Chirag Todi teams up with singer Chezin on the bubbly pop track 'Cross The Line'. Besides the catchy melody, composed by both musicians, the highlight is the feel-good video directed by Srilakshmi, where she and Ashutosh do a well-choreographed, vibrant dance.

The song is about freeing oneself from inhibitions and forming social connections. Chezin's lines are meant to make you happy, as he sings, "You can cross the line, do it like you do, you can hit me with that ooh, oooh". Nothing deep, but works.

Chezin's singing seems inspired by pop singers Jason Mraz and Bruno Mars. Chirag's guitars have a warm pleasantness, and Divyang Arora's production keeps things tight. More a song for the millennials but that's the idea.

Big Bang Blues/ Let Me Find Trouble 

Label: Self-released

Rating: ****

Delhi band Big Bang Blues won the Mahindra Blues Festival Band Hunt contest this year, and made a fantastic appearance at the event on February 10. They even showcased their new song 'Let Me Find Trouble', with guitarist Sushant Thakur doing lead vocals and main vocalist Diyatom Deb on back-up.

The studio version released on February 16 has Alex Fernandes guesting on piano. The song has an old-school vibe, with clear influences of boogie-woogie and swing.  Bassist Archit Agrawal and drummer Naman Dutta complete the line-up for what has the potential of becoming a concert favourite or an ideal driving song.