Naren's indie round-up/ Mar 2024, Ep 3

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Nitin Sawhney feat. Ankita Joshi/ Insaan (Home)

Label: Positiv LLP/ Warner UK

Rating: *****

UK-based musician and producer Nitin Sawhney released his latest album Identity in October 2023, using various voices from Joss Stone and Natacha Atlas to footballer Gary Linekar. The themes revolve around origin, identity and self-esteem. There are also two outstanding tracks by singer Ankita Joshi, which have somehow been unnoticed so far.

A discicple of Pandit Jasraj, Ankita's mellifluous and trained voice fits in perfectly with Nitin's electronic base. 'Insaan (Home)' is a loopworthy masterpiece, which begins, "Ehsaan kiya insaan banaake, anupam aur mahaan banaake, pooran hoon anmol hoon main, bemisaal meri hasti hai'. The taans and sargams are rendered brilliantly.

On the other track 'Nocturnal', Ankita uses wordless syllables with elan. While both these tunes deserve some push here in India, there's another beauty by Bangladeshi singer Shapla Salique in 'Because You're A Woman'. Fabulous voice again.

Sheherazaad/ Qasr (EP)

Label: Erased Tapes Records

Rating: ***

Though the video of her first single 'Mashoor' was released late last year, US-based, Indian-origin singer Sheherazaad released her five-track EP Qasr only this month. The noteworthy thing is that it's been produced by Pakistani Grammy winner Arooj Aftab.

Sheherazaad, whose name is inspired by the Middle Eastern folk tale of Scheherezade, also uses her title as a translation of 'The Free City'. She shuttles between India and the US. As such, her accented Hindi-Urdu songs, which can be clubbed under the experimental folk genre, talk about issues facing the diaspora.

On 'Mashoor', she questions the result of fame, with the lines "Kisliye hum mashoor?" and "Mujhe itihaas nahin chahiye". 'Dhund Lo Mujhe' has exotic orchestration, and talks of the immigrant experience. The theme of inclusivity is recurrent. Because of the unconventional sound, the songs may cater to a specific audience and take time to grow.

Antara Ansuna/ Raaton Mein Ojhal

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Musician Antara Ansuna says her debut single 'Raaton Mein Ojhal' is a dedication to her native town of Vadodara. It's a well-constructed ballad about love and hope, using guitar and tabla well.

Antara's lines go, "Un andheri raatoon ke neeche, sheher mein chhipi daaliyon ke peeche; jahaan hum mile the pehli baar, wahaan hogi piya se mulaqaat". There are faint shades of the Kunwara Baap song 'Aari Aaja' on the main line, and the ending has smart harmonies with sargams.

Vimal Roy's video is simple, going well with the song's theme. It's a soothing tune with a good melodic feel.

Arjuna Harjai & Jyotica Tangri/ Winter Ayun Waliye

Label: Aart Sense Records

Rating: *** 1/2

Singers Arjuna Harjai and Jyotica Tangri combine well on the uptempo Punjabi track 'Winter Ayun Waliye'. A rap part by Geet Sagar, who's also written the 'UK shookay luva yoo luva yoo shy guy' lyrics, adds a twist.

The song involves a playful conversation between two lovers, with the boy finally saying, "Mainu kiitta tu malang, main hoon dor tu patang; winter ayun waliye'.

It's a catchy song ideal for the dance floor. Of course while the whole song has been sung in a 'Heeriye'-type Punjabi accent, the word 'winter' suddenly gets a British twang.

Neela/ Forgive

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Indo-Canadian singer Neelam Khare aka Neela has released her eighth original single 'Forgive'. As the title hints, it's about a woman who's broken off a relationship, but wants to move on by forgiving her former partner.

"I will forgive, I will forgive, but I don't know if I'll love again", is the song's catch-line. Music, credited to Neela, Akeel Henry and Kofo, is subtle in the background.

The animated video, directed by Purusha Anokhei and Neela, has been tastefully done.