Naren's indie round-up/ Dec 2025, Ep 2

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Jatayu/ Jewel Tones (EP)

Label: Self-released 

Rating; ****

Chennai band Jatayu's style involves an innovative blend of Carnatic elements with contemporary arrangements. On their new EP Jewel Tones, they take one composition by Muthuswamy Dikshitar and three by Thiagaraja and add doses of jazz, funk and world music to create something marvellous.

The band comprises Shylu Ravindran on guitar and kanjira, Sahib Singh on guitar, Manukrishnan on vocals and drums, and Kashyap Jaishankar on bass. They are joined by guests Ghatam Krishna on percussion and Wesley Crispus on saxophone.

Using the track names 'The Wick', 'The Triumph', 'The Mirage' and 'The Resolve', they create many magical moments in the 28-minute record. The way Thiagaraja's 'Marugelara O Raghava' in ragam Jayantasri has been fused on 'The Mirage' with guitar and bass is a good representation of the Jatayu sound, with Manukrishnan's vocals brilliantly controlled. Likewise, the instrumental 'The Triumph' uses ragam Kadana Kuthukalam with imagination.

The coordination between the musicians is fabulous, and though the structures are complex, there's a lot of clarity in the notes and rhythms. One looks forward to their show in Mumbai's G5A on Sunday, December 21. 

Anurag Halder/ Main Tumhara

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Words like "Tere khushboo ka jo safar hai, mere kapdon mein raha hai, tere chehre ki jo muskaan, mere chehre pe likha hai" seem to be influenced by ghazal poetry. But Anurag Haidèr uses a typical pop ballad style on 'Main Tumhara'.

The song has been rendered with romantic feeling, and has a hook that'll make one sing along. A short guitar solo by Arnab Chakraborty adds to the charm.

The video, directed by Anurag with Soumya Karmakar, features Ananya Guha and Sukanta Kundu. It has a nice seaside look, and a simplicity that goes with the melody.

Aur/ Phool

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Aur is a group from Karachi, comprising Ahad Khan and Usama Ali, who are joined by Raffey Anwar on the song 'Phool'.

It's a rap number with poetic lyrics, using 'Phool' as a symbol of different situations and emotions revolving around love and relationships. "Kisi ne kabr pe daala, kisi ne haar banaaya, kisi ne rondh diya is tarah paaon mein, ke itna bura kisi ka na chahoon meon", go the lines.

The video has been shot in one take, using dark green and brown as the colour themes. While the video has its own charm, it's Ahad's smooth vocal style that lifts the song, as he sings about heartbreak and regret.

Lyla & Surel Ingale/ Mistletoe Espresso 

Label: Tiny Tunes Studio

Rating: *** 1/2

Earlier this year, singer Lyla and pianist Surel Ingale released their four-song EP Heart On Rent. They now team up again on the Christmas song 'Mistletoe Espresso'.

The song, composed by Lyla (Kasturi Aphale), has a warm jazz flavour and lines like, "Baby it's Christmas, where's the wine?" and "If you gonna kiss me just make it divine, merry be the Christmas for yours and mine".

At just a minute and 30 seconds, it seems a bit short. But 'Mistletoe Espresso' has quite a few musical ingredients packed in that short duration.



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