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

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Meba Ofilia/ All Night

Label: Emerdgence

Rating: ****

Shillong-based singer Meba Ofilia did a charming show at the Studio theatre of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) on June 20. In three diverse sets, she showcased her extensive discography that covered acoustic pop, rhythm n' blues, soul and hip-hop.

She also performed her latest single 'All Night', which aired on the streaming platforms and YouTube from the following day. It's a nice, peppy and danceable number backed by a well-choreographed video.

Whichever genre she sings, Meba has remarkable control over her vocal delivery. Here she begins, "It's the way you get under my skin (I'm trying), but I'm losing it (oh I'm trying), not saying I'm innocent, I don't want to fight it, keep cruising with you, all night".

Produced by B4NDIT, the song has a club-friendly RnB flavour. The video, directed by DP-BG and choreographed by Dephisha Kharbani, has some brilliant dance sequences. Both the song and the video are first-rate in terms of production and vibe.

Vaani Bhasin/ May

Label: Self-released 

Rating; *** 1/2

Delhi singer-songwriter Vaani Bhasin is out with her fifth single 'May'. She's collaborated with South Korean producer DONGUK on this dreamy pop song.

The lines cater to young people in love. Vaani sings, "I look at you now, and it feels so unreal, to be falling in love with a heavenly man". And there's a dash of humour - "I sing like a proper pop girl, and you are, you are a blues guy for sure".

The song has a nice video featuring Vaani. It's bubbly and lively, with some interesting alterations between costumes. It goes with the vim and vigour of the song.

Saroj Kashyap/ Space

Label: Self-released

Rating: ****

Bengaluru-based singer-songwriter Saroj Kashyap's latest song 'Space' is an angst-ridden exploration of a relationship gone wrong. Her powerful voice and range help her convey the message smoothly, and the sound is reminiscent of 1990s female rockers like Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow.

The song is produced by Varun Murali of Swarathma. Against a guitar backdrop, Saroj sings, "Your silence drives me up the wall, makes me want to crawl, out into space, no baby I can't face you".  Later, the lines are, "Baby when this is all over, please remember, for all that you have done to me, nobody's gonna ever treat you better".

Amogh Aryan's video has some smart streetside and driving shots. After songs like 'Nargis', 'Rabbithomes' and 'Bruises', this is another feather in Saroj's cap.

Chaittali Shrivasttava/ Baatein

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Another song in the chill-out romantic space is 'Baatein' by Chaittali Shrivasttava. She has written and composed the song too, using guitars and keyboards to back the vocals.

The song is about conversations between lovers, and feelings of hope. The theme is reflected in the lines, "Chalti rahein guftagu, chalein jaise yeh pal, tu bhi toh hai, main bhi hoon, aise rahein saare kal".

The lyrics video has been created by The Animation Junction. It has some interesting images showing a couple having conversation.

Ankita Joshi/ Zikr

Label: GenRock Music

Rating; *** 1/2

Known as a classical vocalist, Ankita Joshi has studied under Pandit Jasraj. She's occasionally dabbled in independent music, and sounded superb on UK-based musician Nitin Sawhney's marvellous song 'Insaan (Home)'.

Now, she has released 'Zikr', which she has written and composed herself. She sings, "Jab se teri jaane ka zikr hua hai, yaadein aur bhi gehri hui". Ankita has an expressive voice, and the emotions come through naturally.

The song is backed by keyboards with an electronic-flavoured interlude. It's a short song of three minutes and the voice creates an impact.






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gig review/ Guns N' Roses

Image
BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Guns N Roses/ Live In Mumbai Genre : Rock Details : Mahalaxmi Race Course grounds, May 17 Presenters : Brought to India by Book My Show Live, globally produced by Live Nation Rating : *** Let's face it. Axl Rose's vocals have lost their zing. At 63, the man with one of the most powerful voices in rock history now seems a pale shadow of the past. He athletically soldiered on for two hours and 40 minutes at the Mahalaxmi Race Course last night, determined to play all the favourites. One should give him a nod for perseverance, but one could notice the strain. Of course, the Guns N' Roses show was more about nostalgia. It was more about hearing those classics performed by a group that has been part of a generation's upbringing. It was about wearing those black GNR tees to see two idols - Axl and guitarist Slash - together on stage, though both have performed in Mumbai separately. To everyone's delight, Slash was in his element. Those fingers, shown c...
Read more

Naren's indie round-up/ June 2024, Ep 4

Image
BY NARENDRA KUSNUR The Anirudh Varma Collective feat. Divyam Sodhi & Kavya Singh/ Mausam Label: Self-released  Rating: ***** Delhi-based The Anirudh Varma Collective has been doing some exceptional work, blending classical melodies with contemporary sounds in a rather subtle manner. The new song 'Mausam', from their forthcoming album, is another such gem. It's a song about longing, sung fabulously by Divyam Sodhi and Kavya Singh, who also complement each other very well. The lyrics by Likhari uses lines like, "Mausam badalta jaaye, balma na aaye". A highlight is Anirudh's arrangement, which makes good use of sarod, guitar and ghatam. All musicians get their space and the fusion is seamless. Captured live in the studio in Saubhagya Saxena's video, with a guest appearance by model Vrinda Chadha.  Utsavi Jha/ Kaise Kaise Label: first.wav Rating: *** 1/2 Singer Utsavi Jha has been releasing songs for the past four years. After 'Piya' in April, she ...
Read more

Coldplay reviewed by a coach potato

Image
BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Like an obedient teenager, I did what he said. He asked me to clap, and I clapped. He told me to wave at a stranger in another corner, and I did that. The problem arose when he said, "Phones in the pocket, hands in the sky". I mean, how on earth could I watch the Coldplay live telecast with my phone in my pocket? I was sitting in a bus, travelling from Mumbai to Hubballi when the band's frontman Chris Martin was giving all these orders in distant Ahmedabad on January 26. He had 134,000 people for company at the final gig of his India tour. I had only 14 fellow travellers who were least bothered about why I was suddenly jumping up, screaming 'oh-oh-oh' and flashing my watch imagining it was a razzle-dazzle 'star-in-the-sky' wristband. I was in total Chris Martin mood, saying a British-flavoured 'dhanyavaad' to anyone in sight, and changing my tee twice in the journey. Even my bus was painted 'yellow' and the low AC temper...
Read more