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

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Siddhant Chaturvedi, OAFF & Savera feat. Wamiqa Gabbi/ Ittefaq

Presented by: Anshul Garg

Rating: ***

OTT star Wamiqa Gabbi had a great run in 2023, with Jubilee, Charlie Chopra And The Mystery Of Solang Valley, and Khufiya. Now she makes a brief appearance in the music video of 'Ittefaq', along with actor Siddhant Chaturvedi (Gully Boy, Gehraiyaan).

It's fine for Siddhant, as he's written the lyrics and is one of the singers, along with Savera. Music directors OAFF and Savera have a catchy disco-styled hook and a rap stretch using a smattering of English within the Hindi lines.

The song talks of a chance meeting between two people, and the wish to make the best of it. Sadly, there are no close-ups of Wamiqa, and one barely notices those famously gorgeous eyes. Music videos, that too with only a few dance moves, may not be the best thing for her at this stage.

Seasons/ Farishta

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Formed in 2015, Delhi band Seasons has produced some neat numbers in the pop-rock space. Their latest single 'Farishta' is led by vocalist Dhritiman Goswami's pleasant vocals and rhythm guitars, besides Teerthankar Chaki's lead guitar.

The words go, "Tere honton se tune jo mera hi naam liya, farishta, farishta, farishta sa aa gaya". The song has a pleasant melody, and though the guitars are reminiscent of Pakistan band Strings, the band has an approach of its own.

The group had earlier released the single 'Teri Nazar', a love song worth checking.

Pragnya Wakhlu/ Kal Nahin Aata 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Lyrically, it's yet another song that advises you to live in the moment. But what gives Pragnya Wakhlu's 'Kal Nahin Aata' is the folk-fusion direction it takes. Besides the sarod, we have a blend of percussion bols, lead guitar solo and a supple bass line.

The lines are happy, as Pragnya sings, "Na beeta kal phir aayega, aane waala kal bhi ek sapna banke reh jaayega". However, the spoken stretch in the middle gets overshadowed in the mix.

The piece is supported by an animated video created by Gunpowder Productions. It goes with the changes in the song.

Rekha Bhardwaj & Shamir Tandon/ Shaam Hai Jaam Hai

Label: Zee Music Company 

Rating: ****

Music director Shamir Tandon has been recording a series of ghazals with established singers. The latest features Rekha Bhardwaj, whose voice texture is perfect for the matla (opening couplet), "Shaam hai jaam hai, aur tera naam hai; roz ki baat hai, roz ka kaam hai".

The words have been penned by Anurag Purohit and Niket Pandey, and the good thing is that they have three other shers to follow the opening one. The ghazal thus gets into six minutes, but the expressive singing and pleasant instrumentation keep the interest alive.

There are some good lines, like "Hum ko deke tum bhala kya mazaa paaoge; Dard hi humdard hai, dard hi aaram hai". Nothing like the traditional ghazal style 

Bluestackface/ Won't Be A Thing Like You 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Mumbai blues-rock band Bluestackface has released its video for 'Won't Be A Thing Like You'. It's a montage of live footage taken from different gigs.

Comprising Rohan Soulkar on vocals and guitar, Jatin Jitendrakumar on bass and Evan S. on drums, the band has some crisp guitars, with a brilliant solo at the end.

The words have a harsh touch - "I know I've been through you, and so I know you're a fool, I won't be a thing like you, to be with you I rue". Rohan's vocals have that rough edge.







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