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


BY NARENDRA KUSNUR
Amithav Gautam/ Presence (EP)
Language & genre: Instrumental, jazz guitar
Label: Self-released 
Rating: ****

Six years ago, Chennai guitar prodigy Amithav Gautam had released the single 'Blossom'. He's also put up some wonderful Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers covers on YouTube.
The 21-year-old, who's pursuing his bachelor's in jazz performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, has now released a four-track EP Presence. It's got some stylish guitaring and a good amount of variety, using different formations.
The record opens with the vibrant 'Old Madras Blues', featuring bassist Keith Peters and drummer Shyam Rao. The same combo plays on the last track 'Sunshine After Rain', which has a nice lilt.
'Bounce' is a wonderful composition, with Amithav playing both guitar and bass, joined by Jai Row Kavi on drums. The title track brims with gentle melody, as Shreyaas Sanjeev joins on bass and Alex Maddy plays drums. It's a compact set, with a lot of artistic playing. We're looking forward to more from this youngster.


Indo Warehouse feat. Dj Harry Romero & Surya Sen/ International Party
Language & genre: English, EDM/ house 
Label: Indo Warehouse 
Rating: ***

New York-based electronic duo Indo Warehouse teams up with DJ Harry Romero and British-Bengali producer-rapper Surya Sen on 'International Party', a blend of Indian flavours with global house music.
It's a typical club piece running into six minutes. with the words "I get this party started right" repeated often. The music is very early 2000s house, and with some crazy sonic effects, is good to shake a leg to.


Joel Jossy & Siddharth Basrur/ Bagaawat
Language & genre: Hindi, hard rock
Label: Self-released 
Rating: *** 1/2

After a bout of crashing drums and screaming guitars, vocalist Siddharth Basrur takes over. 'Bagaawat', composed and produced by Joel Jossy, talks about the fight against injustice and the importance of standing for one's rights.
The genre is Hindi hard rock, and the message comes in the aftermath of the youth protests. The video naturally contains footage from the various rallies that took place.
Sujeet Thakur's lyrics are, "Yeh meri bagaawat hai, mujhko hai sach ki aadat". The song also features bassist Vian Fernandes of Thaikuddam Bridge and drummer Ujwal KS of Pineapple Express. The emotion is something the youth will identify with.


Daboo Malik & Shruti Mishra/ Dil Ki Yeh Kaisi
Language & genre: Hindi, love song
Label: MVM Entertainment 
Rating: *** 1/2

Composer and singer Daboo Malik is joined by singer Shruti Mishra on this short and wonderful duet that takes you back to the 1990s.
The words by Ajai Sinha begin, "Dil ki yeh kaisi majboori hai hum unhe dekhte rehte hain, kehna chaahe keh na sake hum bas unhe dekhte rehte hain". Arbaaz Khan chips in with guitars.
The singers show wonderful understanding and Karan Vish's video has them alternating in studio shots. In the intro, Shruti talks of old-school charm. That's precisely what the song is about.


Sarthak Bhardwaj/ Noorani
Language & genre: Hindi, love song
Label: Vianet Media
Rating: *** 1/2

Dehradun singer Sarthak Bhardwaj has released quite a few singles this year. He has a warm and pleasant voice, suited for love songs.
His latest song 'Noorani' talks of being grateful in love. It begins, "Yeh jo aadat bigadi hai meri, aa tu chalna ab saath har ghadi, nazron se dekho jo mere tum kabhi, kaise basti ho mujhmein har ghadi".
The song begins in a very lullaby-style, and has a beautiful melody. One wishes the chorus ending wasn't so abrupt.





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