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

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Siddhant Goenka/ Parchaiyan 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Singer Siddhant Goenka has been doing some good work using AI in his music videos. After creating such videos in 'Pari'; 'Farishtey' and 'Jazbaat', he is now out with 'Parchaiyan'.

It's a Hindi rock song featuring him and Shreya Phukan on vocals, with Pratham Seth working on the composition. Hamza Khan's electric guitar solos are a treat, as Siddhant sings, "Lauta de meri parchaiyan".

The video, scripted by Siddhant and Pratham, has its share of bikes, bar-rooms and live gigs. It goes with the mood of the song.

The Siege feat. Shreyas & Nanku/ Ek Din

Label: Universal/ Def Jam India

Rating: *** 1/2

After getting a good to his track 'CBSC', rapper The Siege teams up with Shreyas and Nanku on 'Ek Din'. He sticks to the same producer Devonian, and the result is a smooth-moving hip-hop number.

The Siege's real name is Siegen Moopanar, and he focuses on broken love and strained relationships on this song. Shreyas comes up a Marathi rap part that gives the song its own identify.

The strong production and the black n' white lyrical video add value to this track. As the rap brigade will say, 'hard' hai.

Jashan Bhumkar/ Sajna Badal Gaya

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ** 1/2

After releasing a few Hindi songs, including a version of 'Rangi Saari', singer Jashan Bhumkar is now out with a Punjabi number 'Sajna Badal Gaya'.

As a tune, there's nothing new in Shobbay's composition, and the vocals on dejection in love don't stand out either. The lyrics, by Amit Kumar Bisht, have routine lines like, "Tu kadey badle duniya saari, par kadi main na badloonga".

Even though Aslam Khan's video is again predictable, the presence of Palak Purswani and Kshitij Sajwan adds some glamour value.

Sai Godbole/ Laage Tu Hi

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Another Punjabi song but on a more soulful note is Sai Godbole's 'Laage Tu Hi'. Sai has a melodious voice, which is complemented well by the composition and lyrics of Niharika and Kaushal Hastwala.

Mann Jadav's flute and the group of backing vocalists provide wonderful layers. The lyrics go, "Dekh tenu vaari vaari, jaagi rain saari saari, laage tu hi mera maahi".

A lyrical video accompanies the release. It would be a good addition to a wedding song playlist.

Shafqat Amanat Ali/ Meherma

Label: Sufiscore 

Rating; ***

To wind up the trilogy of Punjabi songs, we have Shafqat Amanat Ali's 'Meherma'. The Pakistani singer has a large fan following in India for over two decades, with his band Fuzon's hits 'Aankhon Ke Saagar' and 'Tete Bina', followed by the film song 'Mitwa'.

One thing that can be guaranteed with a Shafqat song is the quality of gayaki. One hears that instantly when he begins, "Sanu kyon sataawe, main teri ya meherma, jaane tu na jaane, main teri ya meherma". Ahsan Parvaiz Mehdi's orchestration builds up slowly, and there's smart use of rhythms, handclaps and backing vocals.

Yet, there seems to be more emphasis on technical finesse than on having a hook. So it may not be a song one would hum along to. The video, with a live set, is again ordinary, and a few close-ups would be preferred. Largely, it's Shafqat's singing that keeps you interested.



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