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

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Syncopation/ Side On

Language & genre: Instrumental, jazz-funk

Label: Self-Self-released

Rating: *****

Delhi band Syncopation is back with a banger of a tune, blending jazz and funk in a delightful manner. Composed by guitarist and bandleader Risshi S Sachdeva, 'Side On' has some incredible solos, and flows seamlessly.

Saxophonist Aniket Chaturvedi lights up the opening part, and Risshi's guitar solo firms up the middle section. After a brief horn fill-in, keyboardist Noushad Ashraf takes over. Through all this, Vishrut Shankar Shukla's bass and Nikhil Vasudevan's drums hold the piece marvellously. All this is captured live in a studio setting by videographer Anuj Goswami of Basement Company.

The sound is reminiscent of some of the Brecker Brothers and Joe Sample records of yore. It keeps your feet tapping to the groove.

Mohit Mukhi/ More Ways Of Going Nowhere (EP)

Language & genre: English, pop-folk

Label: Melo/ self

Rating; ****

Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Mohit Mukhi arrived on the indie scene 10 years ago with his album Running Shoes and a Thousand Dreams. He's now out with his fourth record, an EP titled More Ways of Going Nowhere.

Over four songs and 15 minutes, Mohit sings about self-doubt, resilience and search for meaning. The songs are deeply personal with lines like, "A broken heart, a restless mind can never seem to find a time of the day all alone" on 'Just Another Day', and "worn out faces in these empty nights, find worn-out places in these worn-out times" on 'These Days'. The opening song 'Do My Bit and Let It Be' talks of a simple, no-nonsense approach to life.

The sound uses elements of folk and pop, with some smooth guitars. Producer Soutrik Chakraborty keeps the arrangements appropriate and rich. The EP may take a few listens to grow, but if one pays attention to the words, there's a lot of depth here. Most important, one can relate to these songs which take you back to the retro days.

Shashaa Tirupati feat. Ben Parag & Shabeer/ Raynnn

Language & genre: Hindi, neo-classical indie

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ***

Indian-born Canadian singer Shashaa Tirupati has done a good chunk of film songs in both Hindi and south Indian languages, including many with A.R. Rahman. She's simultaneously tried to balance her independent work, and is gearing up for the release of her new EP Mahhirr.

The first single 'Raynnn' uses inspiration from an Amir Khusro work, with Shashaa adding a few lines herself. It's rooted in raga Megh, but music producer Shabeer adds electronic sounds to give it a contemporary flavour. Ben Parag joins in the vocals, but it's strange his name is missing from the cover artwork.

The voices complement each other well, and supple taans lead to a robust climax. Theja's video has a period look but the storyline is predictable and facial expressions are bland. There could have been more soul to match the song.

Tina feat. Shoobay/ Jaadugar

Language & genre: Hindi, love/ sad song

Label: Times Music

Rating: ** 1/2

There hasn't been much buzz about this song 'Jaadugar' but it's got a certain simplicity that makes you hum along. Tina Jindal's singing is just average as she tries to sound more expressive but goes haywire in diction.

But the catchy melody, pleasant music by Shoobay and a melodious flute by Ajay Prasanna would make you want to hear the song a few times, and wonder why you're doing that.

The words, by Tina, are pretty average too, with lines like "O jaadugar, o jaadugar, gaya tu kidhar, tu kidhar". And the video is again short on fresh ideas. Yet, the tune stays behind, and that's what matters. Was that because of a 'jaadugar'?

Aniket Gundewar/ Ode To Mumbai Rains (EP)

Language & genre: Instrumental, Hindustani classical

Label; Asli Music

Rating: ****

Though we thought the Mumbai monsoon season was over, there have been these erratic showers. To keep with the mood, one could check out raga Miyan Ki Malhar, but this time on electric guitar.

Mumbai-based artiste Aniket Gundewar plays classical ragas on his Strandberg Boden Essential guitar. He sticks to the traditional form of unfolding a raga, beginning with solo alaap, jod and jhala. Tabla player Dhaivat Mehta then accompanies him on two compositions in medium and fast tempo. The first one begins with the tune.of the film song 'Bole Re Papihara' from Guddi, which used this raga.

In keeping with the album's title of Ode To Mumbai Rains, the album uses sonic effects like thunder and winds, with KJ Singh on sound. Aniket's approach to the raga is methodical and meticulous, bringing out the rain atmosphere effectively.