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

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Prateeksha Srivastava with Akarsh Shetty/ Tum Jo Ho Yahaan

Label: Self-released 

Rating; *** 1/2

Singer Prateeksha Srivastava has a pleasant voice, and has sung some likeable numbers like 'Makhmal', 'Jiya Kaanch Ka' and 'Falsafa'. This blogger also saw her live performance at the Off Stage Live event at AntiSocial, Lower Parel, last week, where she displayed good stage energy and vocal control.

Prateeksha's new song 'Tum Jo Ho Yahaan' is the first from her forthcoming EP Tinyt Truths. It's a simple love song accompanied by a video featuring her and Ishan Chaturvedi, and directed by Priya Mishra.

The video begins with a request to wear a bindi, after which Prateeksha sings, "Jabse shaamil zindagi mein tum, jeene ka mila kaayda, jabse neendein poori hone lagi, jaana kya sukoon ka mazaa".

The song has been produced and arranged by Akarsh Shetty, who also plays electric guitars. The acoustic guitars by Austin Furtado are worth mentioning too, as they compliment Prateeksha's vocals. Here's a singer with lots of potential.

Gayatri Asokan/ Dil Ke Behlane Ki

Label: BeatRootRaga

Rating: *** 1/2

Singer Gayatri Asokan's latest ghazal 'Dil Ke Behlane Ki' features her own composition and the poetry of the legendary Shakeel Badayuni. The matla (opening couplet) is, "Dil ke behlane ki tadbeer toh hai, tu nahin teri tasveer toh hai."

The song has been produced by Steve Kottor, and has Rahul Kathak on tabla and Megha Rawoot, who plays some good sitar passages in the interludes. 

The last line is very typical of Shakeel's style -"Qaid se chhoot ke bhi kya paaya, aaj bhi paaon mein zanjeer toh hai". Gayatri's singing is natural and impactful.

Tang Mizaaji/ Yaheen Kaheen 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Delhi singer-songwriter Lakshay, who goes by the name Tang Mizaaji, has released his song 'Yaheen Kaheen'. 

It begin with reflective lines like, "Baatein kuch aisi kaise bataaoon yeh kahani kuch aisi kaise sunaoon, do pal yeh baatein kar na paaon; Haan zinda main yahin hoon, haan murda main kahin hoon".

After a slow start it picks up tempo, maintaining an ambient vibe, using drum and bass elements. The words end up wondering what direction life will take, leading to a rather abrupt end.

Perfect Strangers/ Honey Words

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Led by guitarist Debjeet Basu, Bengaluru-based Perfect Strangers is known for the tracks 'On The Wild Side' and 'City Of Heartbreak'. Its sound is an exlectic mix of blues, rock, funk and jazz. 

The band has now released 'Honey Words', which has a strong funk vibe and some cool guitars, intricate keyboards (Joshua Costa) and tight drums (Preran Gulvady). Vocalist Ananya Raja sings, "You might call me crazy, but I'm drowning in his honey words". The song thus talks of a weird and one-sided association with a stranger.

The song has been produced by Raag Sethi, and other members include saxophonist Pranav Gulvady and bassist Vishal Varier. The other vocalist Pranay DM isn't on this song, but check him out at their gigs.

Aamir Rizvi/ half past nine

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

This blogger had earlier reviewed Kolkata singer-songwriter Aamir Rizvi's 'Under The Sheets', and was impressed by the quality of songwriting. His new track 'half past nine' again focuses on a simple tune and effective words.

There seems to be an influence of early Beatles and American band Bread in the sound. Aamir sings, "But I don't know why I hurts me when I see you with someone else, but it doesn't hurt knowing that you and I will never be one".

The sound builds up gradually, beginning with acoustic guitar backing and then picking up, with an electric guitar solo coming in as a surprise. Aamir is due to release his debut EP The Essence Of Timing later this year. Looking forward.



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