Naren's indie round-up/ Oct 2024, Ep 1



BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Ishaan Nigam feat. Brite Roy/ Jogiya

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

After collaborating on tracks like 'O Chaand', 'Gumshuda Hoon Main' and 'Roobaroo', singer Ishaan Nigam and composer-lyricist Brite Roy are back on 'Jogiya'. The song talks about the journey of a solitary man who wants to find a companion.

The use of sarod and sarangi add an Indian flavour, and the concluding vocal part uses semi-classical nuances well. The words use metaphors like. "Sadiyon se takhti raahein, nadiyon se lambi raatein", and the main lines, "Piya ishqa rang piya, jogiya tu hi man basiya" sum up the song's mood.

Ishaan's controlled singing matches the emotions and the melody has a simplicity. Though there's a tendency to use conplex words like 'matihani' and 'nau-sikhiya', the song's meaning comes out well.

Akshay-Ninaad/ Panchii

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Guitarist Akshay Redekar and vocalist Ninad Bhat, who were part of the group Tapas, now work as the duo Akshay-Ninaad. Their latest latest single 'Panchii' is a pleasant and soulful ballad.

The song begins with the sound of birds accompanied by acoustic guitar, before Ninad sings, "Oh re oh re oh panchchi, darbadar hai kyon bhatka re, raahi khud apna tu yeh jaan le".

While bansuri and tabla taking over, the song gets an organic feel. Ninad has a well-modulated voice and good pitching, which goes with the melody.

Vishal Mishra/ Aaj Bhi 2

Label: VYRL Originals 

Rating: **

Whenever you want to hear Vishal Mishra or watch his videos, make sure you carry a dozen handkerchiefs. There's so much soppiness you could fill a bucket with tears.

The latest track 'Aaj Bhi 2' is a follow-up to the video song that starred Ali Fazal and Surbhi Joshi. Only this one has an animated lyrical video and gets progressively more depressing, thanks to Kaushal Kishore's lyrics.

To be fair, the arrangements by Gaurav Vaswani and Vishal are well-done, and Manas Kumar's violin is haunting. But one wishes Vishal steps on to newer territory.

Shivangi Kale/ Stupid Friends 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

After releasing her song 'Tippity-Toe' in 2022, Pune-based singer-songwriter Shivangi Kale has released her new song 'Stupid Friends'. Here she talks about estranged relationships and selfishness.

There's some powerful songwriting as Shivangi begins, "Your face is always contorted, nothing I ever say seems appropriate, your footsteps never follow me, are you bored of my company, so why do you still call me, why do I continue to warm your bed, why do I care so much about your friends?"

The arrangements are well-done too, and the guitar burst at the end adds a twist. Importantly, Shivangi's vocals have that smoothness.

ashante/ I Am The Sun 

Label: Self-released 

Rating; ***

Mumbai-bred, Toronto-settled artiste Chantele Menezes aka ashante is out with her EP Journey To The Centre Of The Hearth. It contains the neo-soul track 'I Am The Sun'.

The song has the main lines "I am the sun, I heal I burn". The constant changes in tempo get a bit uncomfortable but the song has a trendy vibe and interesting words like "Sometimes I run so fast, I forget the past, take the foundation, I was built to last".

The sudden ending is a mystery too. Maybe the length of two minutes and 48 seconds is a bit too short.




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