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


BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Gideon/ Everything Unfolds 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

On his song 'Everything Unfolds', singer-songwriter Gideon sings, "Our love was like a summer breeze, but now it's just a distant memory; You're the one who filled my heart, but now you're left, I'm torn apart".

Get the drift? Though the emotion has been expressed millions of times before, there's a certain freshness in Gideon's rendition that makes it likeable. The gentle piano and the backing vocals at the end go with Gideon's expressive style.

The song is from the Audacity album. Jojin John's video alternates the singer's close-ups with shots of a couple. The grayish look adds to the nostalgia.

Justin-Uday Duo feat. Aditi Paul/ Tu Jahan

Label: Judo Music & Films 

Rating: ***

Singer Aditi Paul appears on composer team Justin-Uday Duo's latest single 'Tu.Jahan'. The song takes a couple of listens to settle in, but has a trendy style.

Lyricist Akshay Raje Shinde writes, "Tu jahan hai dikhe, tu jahan hai dikhe, dil udey holey halka sa, choo le tu choo zara, zoron se yeh dhadka sa, gadbada sa yeh, dil kyon lage". Strong guitars and horns pep up the arrangements.

The video, directed by Savin Tuscano, features Jipal Pathak and Alphius Fernandes. Nothing out of the box, but goes with the song's mood.

Janisht Joshi/ Nahi

Label: Robach

Rating: ***

Mumbai artiste Janisht Joshi goes in for an alternative rock vibe on his latest track 'Nahi'. The song talks of emotional detachment, and uses words like, "Kyun na jaane hum chaahaton se bhaage, jab hai yeh nazaare sang, aur raina bhi pukaare".

While the words create an impact, one wishes the vocals had a little more robustness. Timothy Thampi's production is crisp, and the song uses guitars and drums judiciously.

The stand-out point is Amun Khot's video, with the boyish-looking Janisht in a suit and the band members in Marshmello-inspired headgear. It's got some cool shots.

Akash Kaushal/ Jaane Kahan Ghum Tum 

Label: first.wav

Rating: ***

In terms of composition, Delhi-based singer-songwriter Akash Kaushal's new song 'Jaane Kahan Ghum Tum' tries to follow Prateek Kuhad's style, with that staccato rendition and those broken words. But there's a pleasantness in his voice texture that gives him his own flavour.

The words, written by Akash himself, go, "Jaane kahan ghum tum the, aisi nazron ko liye, shaayad kahin main hi duur tha, jo tum mujhe yun na dikhe". Co-produced by Bharath Rajeevan with Akash, the song has warm arrangements and pleasant guitars. The lyric video has an interesting concept, synchonising with the delivery of words, but the letters are too small. Maybe you'll tell those images - Jaane kahan ghum tum.

Ravi Iyer/ Acrodance

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

Guitarist Ravi Iyer's new track 'Acrodance' is a fresh twist from his regular sound, in that it sounds like a cinematic score, and a haunting one at that. Over just two minutes and 10 seconds, he keeps changing the theme, thus constantly introducing surprises. Maybe it could have been half a minute longer.

Inspired by Shiva's Natraj, the piece has been composed keeping in mind acrobatic choreography. The use of the shankh gives it a temple mood.


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