Naren's indie round-up/ April 2026, Ep 3


BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Daksh feat. Agni Varan Ruhela/ Nadiya

Language & genre: Hindi, pop-rock

Label: AFL Collective 

Rating: ****

This song just popped up through some algorithm, and I was instantly hooked. I couldn't find much about singer-composer Daksh, but he's created quite a rocking tune, with a strong hook and good lyrics.

'Nadiya' talks of the desire to escape the daily drudgery of city life and be surrounded by nature. Daksh sings, "Yeh nadiyaan hai meri saheliyan, yeh pahaad hain mere sagey, in pedhon ki chaanv mein gaaoon naghme".

The arrangement is by Agni Varan Ruhela, and there's some smart use of acoustic and electric guitars. One looks forward to more from Daksh.

Mahesh Kaale/ Gatra Veena

Language & genre: Traditional, spiritual 

Label: Meridian Media

Label: *** 1/2

Singer Mahesh Kale gets into meditative mood on the four-minute-50-second track 'Gatra Veena'. As the title suggests, the words describe the concept of the human body being the first instrument.

The composition is in raag Bairagi, though the drums and guitars have a contemporary feel. Mahesh receives assistance from producer-arranger Rohan Puntambekar, besides a team of singers. The opening words are, "Mann gaaye gatra veena, kar omkar, kar nirakaar". Rajesh M. Dharpale directs the video showing a performance of the song.

Mahesh is largely known for his Abhangwari concert series. But his forays into meditative spiritual music are welcome too, as they lend a feeling of inner peace.

Pelican Shuffles/ Move On (Let The Sirens Play)

Language & genre: English, alternative/ punk

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Kolkata band Pelican Shuffles blend a punk energy with their alternative guitar-fuelled rock sound on their new song 'Move On (Let The Sirens Play)'. 

Guitarists Varun Gujadhur and Prashant Gujadhur are joined by bassist Subhomoy Mitra and drummer Sounak Roy on this tight track. Varun sings, "If I turn the other way, what would you ever say?, Sunday morning's burning away, would I kneel? I pray, come on come on come on come on, move on again". Ellerene Lyngdoh Nongbri completes the line-up on backing vocals.

The group has released some fab tracks like 'Catch A Cab', 'Thinking About You' and 'Endlessly'. Add 'Move On' to the playlist.

Dolorblind/ No Signal (EP)

Language & genre: Instrumental, electronica

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

If you're into digital sounds and ambient music, Dolorblind's six-track EP No Signal is right up your alley. The producer and visual artist, whose real name is Rohan Sinha, uses a heady mix of pop, hip-hop, intelligent dance music (IDM) and ambient over his carefully crafted tracks.

The EP begins with 'UVB-76', whose title is inspired by a mysterious Russian radio signal. It features Indonesian guest vocalist Hara, who sings about the exploitation of nature. 'Ombre' makes reference to a meteorite and 'OD' is about schizophrenia and anxiety.

The first single 'NRG" features singer Raunak Matti. 'Silo' and 'Omni 2' use interesting blends of chaotic sounds, going in line with the album's turbulence.

This kind of music may require a specific kind of taste, mood and ambience. But for those who've appreciated electronic music and trippy sounds, this is ideal. And yes, observe the brilliant interplay between the electronic melodies and the rhythms. 




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