Naren's indie round-up/ May 2025, Ep 1


BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Eva Kudwa/ I'm Only 13

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

Eva Kudwa is only 13, but she has a wealth of stage experience, having accompanied her guitarist-father Chandresh Kudwa on many shows. She's now out with her first solo song, and appropriately, it's called 'I'm Only 13'.

And what a delightful rock n' roller it is. Besides the singing, Eva takes to the guitar herself, coming up with a crackling solo. Chandresh plays the very prominent bass-lines, besides co-writing and producing the song. The brilliant Gino Banks is on drums.

The video is pretty straight-ahead, alternating shots of Eva singing and playing guitar. The song has a strong hook too, and one looks forward to hearing it live.

Ditty/ Dunya (For Our Children)

Label: Clouds Hill

Rating: *** 1/2

Delhi-born, Berlin-based singer-songwriter Aditi Veena aka Ditty released her second album Kali two months ago. The album's title is a symbol for darkness, dark-complexioned women and the goddess Kali, as the album talks of race, gender and the search for peace.

The video of 'Dunya (For Our Children)' was released a month ago. It's a powerful number which expresses concern over the future of mankind. Ditty sings, "Afraid that our times are corrupt and contorted, for growing up believing war is normal, as genocide continues in our minds".

There's a Hindi stanza which goes, "Yeh kaisi ajeeb aur gareeb duniya hai, daulat ke bhookhe insaanon ki duniya, badmashon ko sar pe chadhaati hai duniya", before she ends, "No, we don't want this for our children". There's a maturity in the words that transcends her age.

Phosphenes/ Nightmare

Label: Robach Music

Rating; ***

Indie band Phosphenes has songs in both English and Nepali. Their latest release 'Nightmare' is in English and talks of seeking escapism without really succeeding.

The sound has a distinct Radiohead influence, specially in the arrangements. Vocalist Prajwal and guitarist Abhishek blend very well, creating a smooth flow.

The words have lines like, "And oh superficial talks, and mediocre balls, they are ones who talk loud". There's a lot of personal touch out here.

Devika & Michael Brook/ Wisteria

Label: Faith Records

Rating: ***

Among Indian audiences, Canadian producer Michael Brook is best known for his work with late Sufi legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and late mandolin maestro U..Srinivas. He now teams up with Punjabi singer Devika.

'Wisteria' is a loungey track with lush soundscapes. The main lines "Beliya haaniya haaniya beliya' are sung almost chant-like, while the vocal and background sonic structures keep changing. The lyrics are quite routine. While Brook plays guitar and bass, Julie Rogers chips in with violin and string arrangements.

Shreya Mehrotra's video uses AI subtly. The song has a loop-like quality and an aura that's very typical of Brook's music. Maybe, at two minutes and 41 seconds, it's a trifle short.

Badshah/ Galiyon Ke Ghalib

Label: Pentertainment 0075

Rating: *** 1/2

Whenever rapper Badshah releases a song, his marketing team has to use the term 'latest banger'. Well, the great poet Mirza Ghalib must be banging his head to hear that there's a song called 'Galiyon Ka Ghalib' in his name.

Yet, to be fair, it's one of the more catchy songs Badshah has released. It's got a neat intro and nice lilt, and can work well on the dance floor. The video, directed by Piyush-Shazia and featuring Simona J, has some cool choreography, with Badshah's moves blending well with the rap. Hiten's production is super.

The words? Well, we have "Karde kamaal ab, bichade Jaana akhiyon ke jaal ab, hue saal ab, aise tu na taal ab, dekho meri haalat, banaaya tu ne Ghalib, hum galiyon ke Ghalib, hum galiyon ke Ghalib.". In other words, the shaayari is more gaayab than Ghalib.





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