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

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Divyam Sodhi & Khwaab/ Baalam 

Label: first.wav

Rating: ****

After releasing the fantastic 'Piya' earlier this year, singer Divyam Sodhi and producer/ co-composer Khwaab are now out with 'Baalam', a song about love and separation.

The song has a semi-classical feel and Divyam has good control over the nuances. The back-up vocals by Kavya Singh and Suhavi Kalsi complement his singing wonderfully. The lyrics, by Aaghaz, use metaphors like, "Bikhre bikhrè gesu mere, aankh se kajra dhul gaya, ab na bole paayal meri".

Gorkey Patkal's video keeps it simple, showing Preeti Panigrahi and Divyam in alternate shots. Both song and video have been beautifully done. 

Five YearsFromNow/ Kya Hua

Label: Robach

Rating: *** 1/2

Hyderabad trio Five YearsFromNow blend ambient textures and a drum n' bass influence their new track 'Kya Hua'.

The group consists of singer and lyricist Kai Gurung, producer Sumanth Krishna Battu and drummer Shan Paul. The mood is captured through lines like, "Kya hua, mera ishq dhal gaya yeh kya hua, main kahaan sambhal gaya yeh kya hua, ek saaz ban gaya yeh kya hua, ke main fisal gaya".

Despite the brooding words, the song has a clubby feel with layered sounds, tempo changes and distorted vocals backing up. The build-ups and drops are smoothly done and one can tap one's feet.

Adarsh Rao/ Laage Re

Label: ffs/ Times Music

Rating: ***

Indore-bred singer-songwriter Adarsh Rao has been releasing singles regularly for the past two years. He's recently released 'Kho Jaun' and 'Laage Re'.

'Laage Re', part of his forthcoming EP, has oft-used sentiments like "Man yeh mera tere bin kahin na laage" and "Tu jo muskuraaye, roshan kar de jag saara". But it has a certain simplicity that makes it grow after a few listens.

The instrumentation has been pleasantly done, with guitar lines, ambient backing textures and gentle percussion. Good song for a drive.

Bodhi And The Omega Force/ Destroyer

Label: Self-released 

Rating,: ****

Kolkata guitarist Bodhisattva Ghosh, known for his pathbreaking work with the Bodhisattva Trio, plays with a different set of musicians on 'Destroyer'. They go by the name Bodhi And The Omega Force.

The track is a prog-rock guitar instrumental that reminds you of the Joe Satriani and Steve Vai compositions. Bodhisattva's playing is smooth, as he's joined by rhythm guitarist/ keyboardist Subhaghata Singha, bassist Mainak Nag Chowdhury and drummer Gaurab Chatterjee.

The video, directed by Shan Bhattacharya, blends live performance shots with AI-generated images. Mythology and war scenes are depicted in style.

Joel Jossy feat. Sonna Rele/ Hold On

Labeĺ: Joel's Music Lab

Rating; ***

Mumbai-based producer and composer Joel Jossy won two Clef Music Awards for his debut single 'Main Musafir' this year. He now teams up with UK-based singer Sonna Rele on 'Hold On'.

It's a simple pop song with positive lyrics like, "Never turn back around, look to the sky, now's your time, listen to your heart's desire, hear when it's calling".

What's interesting is the blend of instruments, guitars, bass and drums mingle with bansuri and tabla. Indian back-up vocals by Akanksha Tripathi add a fresh flavour, as Joel's production and Sonna's vocals match.








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