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

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Farak/ Taare

Language & genre: Hindi, Sufi-pop

Label: Mashooriya, Mass Appeal

Rating: *** 1/2

Lucknow-based artiste Farak is out with his three-song EP Duniya Ke Uss Paar. His sound uses many traditional elements including qawwali, but he also displays flavours of hip-hop and desi rap.

'Taare' is the video song from the EP. It begins, "Hamara thokro se kuch purana khaas naata, hai jisne ishq hi dekha na, woh rab ka dulara hai". There's a brief poetry interlude, and Saswat Balan provides backing vocals. 10A's production uses harmonium effectively, and there are sounds of clapping and applause to give a live effect.

The video, by Sahil Akhtar, uses a simple narrative, with Rupali Mishra as the female lead. It's an average video but the tune's hook and lilt make up.

Anvaya/ Churaya 

Language & genre: Hindi, electronic dance

Label: Indo Warehouse 

Rating: *** 1/2

DJ-producer duo Anvaya comprises US-bred Kaushal and Sonia, who fuse Hindi words with electronic textures on 'Churaya'. The three- minute, 20-second song is tailormade for the dance floor.

To be sure, the same words are recited a few times, as Sonia sings, "Tumne churaya dil door ho gayee meri mushkil, tumne churaya dil sapna bana har ek manzil". As such, it gets lyrically repetitive. What lifts the song are the groove and pulse, as Anvaya uses the desert as an inspiration, with those storm-like effects.

The duo was part of the Coachella set of New York-based collective Indo-Warehouse last year, and has performed at Sunburn in India. This track has a special festival vibe.

Pink Moss/ No Hard Feelings

Language & genre: English, disco-funk

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Mumbai-based quartet Pink Moss comes up with a heady mix of disco-funk and acid-jazz on its new number 'No Hard Feelings'. It's an uptempo, club-friendly track about moving on in life without carrying any baggage from the past.

Vocalist Sampriti Dastidar is joined by bassist Souvik Bhattacharya, guitarist Subid Khan and drummer Siddharth Rajmohan, with keyboardist Anurag Naidu guesting on a solo. The voice melds weil with the funky bassline, though one feels a specific singalong hookline would have helped. On the plus side, the bright artwork is super.

The group has released interesting tracks like 'Shapeshift', 'Xathor' and 'Find Me Again'. This one pumps up the jam.

Saransh/ Oscillate 

Language & genre: Instrumental, rock fusion

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

Having played with known indie artistes, guitarist-composer Saransh makes his solo debut with the rock fusion instrumental 'Oscillate'. It's based on the notion that things can be viewed from different perspectives with the passage of time.

Accompanying Saransh are pianist Hardik Pandya, saxophonist Harsh Bhavsar, bassist Aditya Ahir and drummer Aditya Ranga. What's impressive is the way the song is structured.

Strong melodies and an explosive climax make it worthy of repeat listening. Rock instrumentals have their own charm, specially when played on guitar. Welcome to the party.

Zoha/ Floating Seaweed 

Language & genre: Instrumental, electronic fusion

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Also in the instrumental space is Goa-based guitarist, DJ and producer Zoha's 'Floating Seaweed'. Inspired by sounds of the sea, the song came out of a freediving experience.

Zoha plays guitars, synths and drums herself while blending them with experimental electric and house influences. There's a certain calmness and loungey flavour in the track that makes it ideal for relaxation.






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