From openhearted struggles put to song by artists like Aarifah to Aditi Ramesh’s house-informed bop, a breakout hip-hop love song from Pho and Bhayanak Maut’s metal anthem, here are our favorite songs ranked
Best singles of 2023
Join us as we delve into the standout compositions that have enthralled listeners and set the stage for a remarkable year in Indian music.
Nagaland alt-rock band Trance Effect‘s “Blue Sweatshirt” is a delightful ode to love blossoming during the lockdown. The band maintains its upbeat and spirited sound, reflecting the hope and positivity that emerged amidst the pandemic. The track’s straightforward lyrics vividly portray the longing and desire of a couple who found love online during challenging times. — D.B.
After a few years of establishing himself in Indian indie for Hindi songs, Arunachal Pradesh’s singer-songwriter Taba Chake returned to writing and releasing English songs with “Halfway.” A pensive, prayer-invoking song of inquiry and hope, Chake ticks all the boxes of a charming and straightforward storyteller, perhaps one who’s now bound for an international audience as well. – A.T.
In trying to grasp a changing situation in her life—battling chickenpox and feeling unsure about a personal relationship – singer-songwriter Sanjeeta Bhattacharya delivers a powerful vocal and compositional performance on “X Marks the Spot.” A collaboration with fellow singer-songwriter Prabhtoj Singh, who produced the song and composed string arrangements, Bhattacharya builds the emotion steadily until she is, in her own words, “unhinged.” We always knew Bhattacharya could sing, and this year, she proved her acting chops by acting in the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Jawan. Whether on screen or I’m front of a mic, Bhattacharya seems unstoppable. – A.T.
Mumbai’s pop/punk duo The Lightyears Explode unleashes a sonic storm with “Pills,” the lead single from their just-released sophomore album Suburban Prose. The track melds new pop elements with distorted guitars, dynamic basslines, and a high-octane chorus, a nod to their punk roots. Vocalist-guitarist Saurabh Roy’s lyricism delves into personal struggles with anxiety medication during lockdown, adding raw authenticity. — D.B.
Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Tejas’ single “Some Kind Of Nothing” is a slight departure from his usual polished pop sound. The track delves into vibrant bubblegum landscapes with catchy melodies, slick production and honeyed vocals. Tejas reflects on the pitfalls of social media in his songwriting process, emphasizing the struggle to balance artistry with online demands. — D.B.
Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Meera and producer Raag Sethi from Ahmedabad’s Compass Box Studio offer plenty of freshness with the dancey number “Mango Milkshake.” The track, which is the first single off Meera’s upcoming EP Smile-Ability, leans towards a Bossa nova sound and includes her glossy vocals too. The song is also accompanied by a cutesy music video. — D.B.
How do you spark a trending reel with choreography and also keep your desi hip-hop cred? Just ask New Delhi artists Bharg and Chaar Diwaari. Taken from Bharg’s album Nikamma, “Roshni” brings a playful pop-jazz vibe that has an underlying sense of despair to it, which eventually blows up into incendiary metal, complete with shred guitar. If Indian indie needed free-spirited experimentalists, we’ve found them in this pair. – A.T.
Mumbai indie-rock outfit Long Distances – comprising vocalist Aarifah Rebello, guitarist-producer Apurv Agrawal, and guitarist-producer Zubin Pastakia, is now out with their sophomore single in the shape of the journeying “Lovesong for an Apocalypse.” It has catchy vocals, a groovy bass line, hooky guitar parts, and more, and is off the band’s upcoming debut EP How the Mighty Will Fall. The group also tapped seasoned Mumbai drummer Jai Row Kavi to sit behind the kit for thetrack, and even worked with bassist-producer Krishna Jhaveri as well as producer Sandunes who provided additional synths to the song. — D.B.
Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Maalavika Manoj aka Mali’s angsty synth offering “Semi Automatic Butane” is quite the bop and the track includes a pulsating beat that is layered with lush acoustic and electric guitar parts, synths as well as Mali’s honeyed vocals. The song has been produced by Keshav Dhar (from Indo/American rockers Skyharbor) and even features drummer Jehangir Jehangir (of ska outfit The Fanculos) while singer Aria Nanji contributed backing vocals to it. — D.B.
Mumbai-bred and Pune-based singer-songwriter Aarifah‘s sophomore single, “Anyway,” unfolds as a soulful acoustic indie-rock journey. The artist weaves a narrative of heartbreak, beautifully accompanied by poignant piano, calming vocals, and gentle acoustic guitar strumming. As the song progresses, a delicate interplay of bass, drums, and strings enriches the emotional landscape. Aarifah’s introspective lyricism explores the inevitability of heartbreak, finding solace in the realization that every detail led to a poignant connection. “Anyway” is a heartfelt ode to vulnerability, embracing the intricate dance of emotions that accompanies love and loss. — D.B.
Mumbai metal favorite Bhayanak Maut has always been serious about fun. They carried that energy right into “Just a Metal Kid,” an anthem for everyone who grew up over the last two decades with Indian metal as their guiding light. That’s a pretty big number of people, even though maybe not all of the fans (or bands) stuck around until today, but BM crafted an epic salute to everyone involved, even bringing in Indus Creed’s Uday Benegal for a sublime chorus. – A.T.
New Delhi singer-songwriter, rapper and composer Pho aka Akriti Lal, and producer Mr. Doss created one of Desi hip-hop’s deepest love songs this year on “Tu Hai.” Although Pho has never been one to stick to just hip-hop, her take on obsessive love on “Tu Hai” breaks the clutter in the machismo-heavy Hindi music narratives we’ve heard all too often. It helps that it has all the makings of a long-term earworm. – A.T.
Kamakshi Khanna’s “Breathe” is a poignant journey accompanied by the gentle strums of a ukulele. The New Delhi-born, Mumbai-based singer-songwriter showcases emotive vocals intertwined with a captivating string arrangement, pulsating drums, and a crisp bass groove. The song, a companion through Khanna’s personal struggle with self-doubt, showcases her lyrical vulnerability, which is both relatable and cathartic, offering solace to those wrestling with similar inner demons. “Breathe” is a melodic and sincere testament to resilience, providing a musical embrace for anyone navigating the labyrinth of anxious thoughts and self-discovery. — D.B.
With the sound of coffee flowing and the vibration of a phone, singer-composer Aditi Ramesh makes her choice of drug on “Filter Coffee.” There’s plenty of layers in the blend, which is what makes the artist’s first release since 2021 a comforting brew – she advocates for time away from social media trends to live in the now, something she’s sworn by like she prefers her Indian filter coffee to a cappuccino or Americano. House beats, soul vocals and jazz melodies abound, making “Filter Coffee” a wholesome Indian indie essential tune. – A.T.
Dot. might have just started her career in Indian cinema with the Zoya Akhtar-directed comic book adaptation The Archies as Ethel, but she’s always been ever the wise, measured and graceful singer-songwriter. “Indigo” proves just that, bringing an old-world charm, calming vocals and pillowy percussive work produced by Rich James Roberts to a song that simply tells us to take it slow. Weaving in vocabulary depth while also keeping the message simple is clearly Dot.’s superpower and “Let go” is honestly the kind of advice we can all do with hearing from time to time in our lives. – A.T.
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