Naren's indie round-up/ Sept 2026, Ep 1

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Euphoria/ Koi Naa

Language & genre: Hindi/ Punjabi, folk-rock

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *** 1/2

There was a time when Hindrock band Euphoria ruled the music channels, with songs like 'Dhoom Pichuk Dhoom' and 'Maaeri'. Vocalist Dr Palash Sen and the band are back with the folk-rock piece 'Koi Na'.

The video, featuring Preeti Verma, shows Palash beginning in a disappointed manner with music labels rejecting his work. But he decides to record something on his own and embarks on a journey.

The song features guitarists Adil Rashid and Aditya Shankar Benia, bassist DJ Bhaduri and drummer Prashant Trivedi. The song has a nice folk-rock feel with inputs from the Nazar Pandhar Group. It's the video song from the new Euphoria album Dhoomsday. And it's got the band's trademark sound.

Antariksh feat. Rahul Ram & Rohan Prasanna/ Dil Ki Aawaaz

Language & genre; Hindi, pop-rock 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

Fronted by Varun Rajput, Delhi band Antariksh has collaborated with famed guitarists Marty Friedman and Jack Gardiner. On their latest track 'Dil Ki Aawaaz', they team up with Indian Ocean's frontman Rahul Ram.

The track also features sarod player Rohan Prasanna, who comes up with some clear, melodic lines. Varun and Rahul sing about overcoming difficulties, and listening to the sound of one's heart.

The song begins, "Waise toh kaafi saare raahe yahaan, kaise chuna tu ne apna karvaan, waise toh kaafi saari mushkilen, kaise kiya tu ne ab tak saamna". The coordination between the singers is superb and the lyrics are strong enough to motivate the listener.

MNV/ Gadbadi

Language & genre: Hindi, pop

Label: ffs, Times Music

Rating: ***

Delhi-based singer-songwriter MNV, pronounced Manav, makes his indie debut with 'Gadbadi', a song which talks about how one mistake can change the course of a relationship.

It's an uptempo piece, with prominent use of keys and bass by Neel Sengupta. The words are,"Nadaan tha, bechain tha, o us ghadi, nadaani mein dil le gayee ek gadbadi."

While it's a sincere effort and the keyboard backdrop is vibrant, there's a certain monotony  in the way the composition progresses. It probably needed a stronger hook.

Nihira Joshi with Brijesh J. Mehta & Mihir Desai/ Aa Kahin Chale Sanam

Language & genre; Hindi, love song

Label: Crescendo Music

Rating: *** 1/2

Here's a melodious love song composed by Brijesh J. Mehta and sung by the talented Nihira Joshi. With its sheer simplicity and waltzy nature, 'Aa Kahin Chale Sanam' takes you back to the film music of the 1970s.

Mihir Desai pens the words, "Aa kahin chale sanam, in bahaaron ke sang, kahin door hum, dekhenge mud ke na phir". Manan Mehta, who plays keys, also produces and arranges the song.

The video featuring Nihira is shot against the backdrop of greenery or on the seafront. It goes with the serene nature of the tune.

Maahi Zaveri/ Piya Bina

Language & genre: Hindi, semi-classical 

Label: Merchant Records 

Rating: ****

At 21, classically-trained Maahi Zaveri displays a certain maturity in her vocals. In 'Piya Bina', her debut as singer-songwriter, she chooses separation and longing as the theme.

The words begin, "Piya bina chain na aave, jiya mora ghabraave". The song has elements of Madhuvanti and Miyan Ki Malhar, and the instrumentation makes use of sarod, tabla, handpan and string arrangements, with Aakash Rajan's production blending traditional elements with a lounge aura.

To add to the charm, Rutu Suthar's video has a strong sense of drama. The climax with the model dancing to Maahi's vigorous taans is brilliantly choreographed. Both the tune and images linger. 





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