Avanti Nagral Addresses the Messiness of Growing Up on Debut Album ‘Quarter Life Crisis’

Oscillating between India and the U.S. for half her life has left Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Avanti Nagral imbibing aspects of both cultures not only into her artistry, but as a person too. Over the years, Nagral has trained in devotional, Indian classical, Broadway and gospel music, which according to her have all made their way into her pop sound. Nagral also recounts how it was music that healed her when she was suffering from a brain virus that affected her vision as a 15-year-old. “I found my voice when I realized the healing impact that music had,” says Nagral.  

Nagral has been releasing music since 2017 and has a number of singles under her belt as well as 2021’s four-track EP Double Standards. Now, the singer-songwriter has taken the leap to release her full-length eight-track debut album entitled Quarter Life Crisis. “I feel like an album is an opportunity to showcase a narrative, or a chapter of life, in a cohesive way,” says Nagral. She adds, “Even though streaming audiences don’t necessarily listen to full-length albums anymore, or at least in the way they used to, I think there is so much value in being able to build bodies of work to capture snapshots in time, both sonically and narratively.”  

The multi-genre Quarter Life Crisis includes songs that Nagral has had in her locker for years as well as newer ones. Recording for the album began this past April and the musician admits that this is her most vulnerable work yet. The record revolves around the difficulties of growing up and Nagral says, “Being in your 20s is hard these days. The album outlines an experience familiar to many; feeling accomplished yet behind, feeling young yet responsible for everything, falling in and out of love, and the pressures of the digital age. It’s an ode to my reality at 25, and many folks’ realities in this bizarre transitional phase of life.” 

Lyrically, Quarter Life Crisis covers themes such as “self-discovery, heartbreak, new-age relationships, friendships, dealing with the spotlight, betrayal and more.” Nagral points out that a lyrical part from her melancholic pop track “25” best sums up the album. “Half of me has it together now/ My other half just wants to scream and shout/ Quarter life crisis/ Tell me where are the prizes for making it out alive?” 

Given her varied influences and genres that she’s honed over the years, Nagral quite exquisitely juxtaposes jazz, soul, punk, cinematic elements, lo-fi beats and acoustic soundscapes to create a sleek pop concoction. Talking about the album as a whole, Nagral says, “This past year has been one of the most confusing and difficult ones of my life, at a personal, professional, public level and more, and this album is a peek into that messiness.” 

Across the record, Nagral brought on a host of artists to collaborate with, such as Yemeni-American singer Abe on the bittersweet “Cry Tonight,” U.S.-based and previously Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Ramya Pothuri on the acoustic-jazz offering “In Between,” producer-pianist Somanshu on the opening gritty number “Find Me” and lo-fi beat maker Scayos on the aforementioned “25.” Nagral also called on board producers such as Austin Armstrong, Zeek and Keshav Dhar (from Indo/American rockers Skyharbor), recording engineer David Pinto as well as co-writers Natania Lalwani, Bex and Gaia to help bring the LP to life.  

To commemorate the release of the album, the singer-songwriter has put together a launch gig at Mumbai’s G5A on December 9th. “I’m extremely excited,” says Nagral. With plans to do more shows in other cities in India too, Nagral is also working on gigs in the U.K., Canada and U.S. for next year. The musician is also putting together visuals and merch to help further promote the album. “We kind of wanted this album release to be more of a slow burn, where each song gets its moment in the spotlight,” she says.  

Away from music, Nagral – who holds a dual degree from Harvard University and Berklee College of Music – is also a staunch advocate for social change. The artist recently represented South Asia at the largest reproductive and sexual health conference in the world, organized by the Gates Foundation in Thailand. “I was there to perform my original music, and also in my capacity as an advocate for social issues, and it felt like a beautiful manifestation of the worlds I am a part of,” says Nagral. She adds, “I’m so grateful that I get to live that out being an artist today, being able to use my voice in its multiple ways, and helping amplify the voices of others.”  

Click here to buy tickets for Avanti Nagral’s album launch gig at G5A in Mumbai on December 9th and stream ‘Quarter Life Crisis’ on Spotify below and on other platforms.