Naren's indie round-up/ Feb 2025, Ep 3

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Mohit Chauhan/ Sheheron Ki Shaam

Label: Mohit Chauhan Music 

Rating: ****

When you think of Mohit Chauhan, you often think of gentle, soulful melodies and lush natural surroundings. His latest song 'Sheheron Ki Shaam', from the album Musafir, provides just that kind of a feeling.

Donning his trademark cap and strumming his guitar, he sings Prathana Gahilote's lines, "Sheheron ki har shaam udaas lage hain mujhe, door pahaadon par koi yaad karein hai mujhe". A harmonica adds to the guitar beauty.

Parasher Baruah's video has been shot partly in the Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh and partly in the midst of well-lit highrises. Mohit's voice is captivating as ever, and the song has a serenity that takes you back to the 'Boondein' title track.

Sadu/ Tujhme Dooboon Zara

Label: Sadu Music

Rating: *** 1/2

A former member of the Indipop group Aryans, Sadasivan K.M. Nambisan aka Sadu has displayed melody in his solo pop tunes and ghazals. His latest love song 'Tujhme Dooboon Zara' is another instance of a good, melodious composition.

The song is enhanced by a simple video, featuring him, Unnikrishnan and Amrutha Balakrishnan. Directed by Ameen Sabil and produced by Sunitha Sadasivan, it has some pleasant and fresh shots, specially those taken by the sea.

The words, written by Sadu himself, contain poetic lines like, "Honton mein shaayari hai, sheron mein tu, bhigodey mujhe, tujhme dooboon zara". Sumesh Parameswar's guitars go perfectly with the composition.

Suyash Bijalwan/ Aa Bhi Ja 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

On 'Aa Bhi Ja', singer-songwriter Suyash Bijalwan sings about a subject that's being covered too often, of a man asking his partner to return. While Suyash has a pleasant voice backed by guitars and keys, the composition gets repetitive with too much of 'Aa bhi jaa'.

Though the words "Aa bhi jaa, aa bhi jaa, lautke paas mere tu aa, aa bhi jaa, aa bhi jaa, mere saanson mein tu hi basa" are simple and convey the song's message, similar feelings have been expressed a zillion times before.

Sarthak Nautiyal's video had a mix of sad solo shots and flashbacks of the couple. Radhika Joshi joins Suyash in the film, which is predictable but cute.

Jaimin/ Techno Girl

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

One thing that's admirable about Kolkata singer-songwriter Jaimin Rajani is the way he keeps changing his sound. His fantastic debut album Cutting Loose had elements of western folk and pop-rock, and later he moved to an old-school duet, bluegrass and even a humour-laced song with a country-ish mandolin. A visit to his Spotify page will showcase his range.

On his latest single, he goes in for synth-pop and calls it 'Techno Girl', using cover art that would suit a Revlon ad. He also teams up with producer National Animal, who mostly does electronic and pop music. As the song is about two people torn apart by different lifestyles, the combo of musicians works.

A good dose of electronica meets the guitars of Subharaj Ghosh and piano of Sambit Deshmukhiya. And with Jaimin, you have to expect your dose of intelligent lyrics. "I love rock n' roll, you're a techno girl, I wrote this just to let you know; Suddenly I don't feel the same about the songs I wrote a year ago", he sings. And though the composition may take a few listens to absorb if you keep comparing it with his debut album, it slowly settles in.

Pelican Shuffles/ Lay Down

Label: Self-released

Rating: *** 1/2

Barely two months after releasing their brilliant track 'Endlessly', Kolkata band Pelican Shuffles is out with 'Lay Down'. The song is a good blend of 90s-styled alternative rock and punk, though it also has a pop-rock vibe.

Composed and written by Varun Gujadhur, it has the lines, "I'm losing my way, losing my way, Oh God, can you help me out, lay down by my side, I'll lay down all my pride, stare into my eyes, and make me feel so high, can you free, yeah free me tonight".

The song has been produced by Rohan Ganguli and Varun. Some good guitars out there, with a short solo at the end. Finally, a special nod to the art-work, which uses their motif of pelicans with a twist.



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