Naren's indie round-up/ April 2026, Ep 2


BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Uday Benegal/ Fireflies 

Language & genre: English, acoustic

Label; Self-released 

Rating: ****

Indus Creed frontman Uday Benegal is due to release his five-song EP Human Be next month. For the first single, he has put out a stripped down version of Indus Creed's number 'Fireflies', originally heard on their 2012 album Evolve.

This version is backed by some wonderful acoustic guitars, played by Sharad Rao, Zion Mathew and Aria Nanji, who's also produced and arranged the song. 

Uday's singing is expressive on lines like, "Oh the sun went down today, for reasons you won't say, and I just can't look away from those fireflies". Listeners may obviously draw comparisons with the earlier version, with its lush keyboards and electric guitar, but this one has an acoustic charm of its own. 

Aria Sengupta, Rajkumar Sengupta & The British Raj/ Who's That Knockin' On My Door?

Language & genre: English, blues-rock 

Label: Black & White Records

Rating: *** 1/2

Guitarist and composer Rajkumar Sengupta and his daughter, vocalist Aria, have been releasing songs as a blues-rock team for a while, using the name Ths British Raj. Last year, they released their take of the song 'Funky Monkey' from the soundtrack of the 2008 animated feature Sita Sings The Blues. They now come out with 'Who's That Knocking On The Door?' from the same OST.

In contrast to the country-laced original sung by Annette Hanshaw, this one is blues-rocking, complete with two guitar solos by Rajkumar and a supple bassline. The song has humorous lyrics like, "I've been waiting on so long, I'll just die if I'm wrong, who's that knocking at my door?" She's convinced it can't be the milkman, grocer, breadman, butcher or any similar visitor.

The song is only two minutes long but quite a fun ride.

Samiha/ Yours For The Taking

Language & genre: English, dream-pop 

Label: 5082824 Records DK

Rating: ***

Singer-songwriter Samiha gets into dream-pop space on 'Yours For The Taking', a song that talks of the hopelessness one feels with intense desire.

Using a strong guitar backdrop, she talks of emotions one faces in love. She sings, "Tell me a lie, and I'll still believe it, I'm not naive, I just want you baby, maybe you're mine or maybe you're faking, I'm yours for the taking." Straight and to the point.

Samiha says she has released four singles earlier but hadn't pushed them. This track should give her a much-needed boost.







Naad/ Bairagi; A Divine Presence In A Restless City

Language & genre: Sanskrit & Buddhist chants, sitar trance

Label: Mahal Studio 

Rating: **** 1/2

The brainchild of Bengaluru-based software engineer Ayon Ghosh, Naad has been regularly producing some cutting-edge electro-fusion. The latest track 'Bairagi: A Divine Presence In A Restless City' offers a splendid spell of sitar trance.

Based on raga Bairagi Bhairav, a composition by Pt Ravi Shankar, it blends Sanskrit and Buddhist chants with sitar, bansuri and electronic textures and groove. The result is a heady five-minute trip.

A highlight is the stunning video, featuring an uncredited mystery woman dressed in orange, coming out of and heading to nowhere, attracting devotees. With some great sub-plots, themes and visuals, it's a treat to watch on loop.

Radhika Das/ Lightfall (EP)

Language & genre: Sanskrit, spiritual

Label: Self-released/ Community Music

Rating: ***

One of the best-known names in the kirtan genre, London-based Radhika Das just concluded a tour of India. It was preceded by the launch of his new EP Lightfall, a five-track record spanning 19 minutes.

Radhika Das has been using mantra, meditation and bhakti yoga as the base of his music, transporting listeners on a spiritual journey. Though the mantras are traditional, the orchestration uses a mix of older and newer styles.

Of the tracks, three are dedicated to Radha-Krishna - 'Radha Ramana Haribol', 'Bhajau Re Mana' and 'Radhe Radhe'.  There is one each for Sita-Ram ('Sita Ram Jaya') and Shiva ('Hara Mahadeva'). The choruses are quite prominent and one can sing along.

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