Composer-Singer Shashwat Sachdev Blends Classical and Lo-Fi on New Song ‘Dobara’

Gentle pianos, lo-fi hip-hop beats and future bass elements provide the bed for singer-composer Shashwat Sachdev aka Sha’s sublime classically trained vocals on “Dobara.”

It was roughly a decade ago that Sachdev – trained in Indian and western classical music – first made his way into the composing world, starting in the U.S. It was only by 2019 that Sachdev notched up acclaim in India for music on Veere Di Wedding and Uri: The Surgical Strike, earning a National Film Award for the latter in the best music direction category. At the center of the artist’s music making decisions is wanting to visit a different “sonic universe” with each work.

With “Dobara” – featuring YouTuber/singer-songwriter Shreya Jain and part of his upcoming album Sha – Sachdev points out that there were no other tracks he found with this combo of lo-fi, future bass, classical piano and Indian classical vocals in raag Bhimpalasi. He adds about releasing the music via record label Malsons, “Working with Shivam [Malhotra, Malsons founder and CEO], we were both skeptical if people would understand what we’re trying to do.” With the song racking up nearly 400,000 views on YouTube, Sachdev says the reception reinforces his belief in experimenting.  

The 10-track Sha started gathering steam during the lockdown since Sachdev and a lot of other artists and collaborators were living with him during that time of curtailed movement. Jain, for example, features on another song slated for release in August and has added backing vocals on several tracks.

Meanwhile, Sachdev has followed up “Dobara” with another love ballad called “Meri Jaan,” featuring singer Jubin Nautiyal. The airy, sweeping track is the second release off Sha, with at least two to three tracks releasing each month. “There’s one with [singer] Shirley Setia coming out on July 2nd. It’s a proper lo-fi sounding track,” the composer adds.

Although squarely in the chill music space, Sachdev doesn’t necessarily agree that people are only seeking out soothing songs to get through the pandemic. “I feel that everybody has various states of being in a single day. I feel that if it’s an honest expression, people want to hear it, especially if they’re perhaps under stress,” he adds.

Alongside releasing Sha, Sachdev is working on music for upcoming films like action-thriller Attack starring John Abraham, teaming up once again with Uri director Aditya Dhar for The Immortal Ashwatthama and a Ronnie Screwvala production. “It’s a slow process for me with films, but I’m still really excited about it,” Sachdev says.

Watch the lyric video for “Dobara” ft Shreya Jain below.