Exclusive Stream: Hear Nikhita Gandhi Turn to Lo-Fi, Intimate R&B on New EP ‘Saazish’
The singer-songwriter and producer takes a quick detour from her film and mainstream pop projects for a three-track record in Hindi and English
Singer-songwriter and producer Nikhita Gandhi. Photo: Courtesy of Kush PR
To some, Nikhita Gandhi is the established playback singer who has become the go-to choice for everyone from A.R. Rahman to Amit Trivedi, Tanishk Bagchi, Pritam and Badshah. To others, she’s very much a singer-songwriter and producer who’s also been a part of independent music circles in Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai.
As it turns out, in the process of collaborating with musicians, she created her new EP Saazish. The three-track record explores Hindi and English R&B, pop and lo-fi production, all anchored in Gandhi’s inimitable melodic style. Created last month, Gandhi says she was getting “flustered” when the music was not “not ‘commercial’ enough.” She adds, “So one day I just did what I do best and ignored the brief and began writing songs on whatever flowed out of me. I actually wrote all three songs in a span of two to three days.”
Driven by “raw momentum,” songs like “Khushnaseeb,” the title track “Saazish” and “Pitch Black Dark” showcase an underplayed side to Gandhi, with the easygoing production making it a laidback, living room listen. Gandhi is clear that there was really no intention with the EP. “Accidental art is my sweet spot. But now that this EP exists, I felt like it set the tone for an upcoming album that I’m now going to write,” she adds.
The tracks on Saazish were all produced by Gandhi, right from the beat ideas. Her previous single “Bura Na Mano Yaara,” which released in March, was co-produced with composer Sunny M.R.. Gandhi says self-expression is the reason behind continuing to release independent music while also pursuing mainstream projects. She adds, “The artist Nikhita as an entity gets to express through my independent releases. Also, I think the playback singer avatar of mine that has received so much love is also a person with a story and a journey. The journey defines who you are and I want to keep releasing music so that the journey keeps growing and I keep evolving as an artist.”
Listen to ‘Saazish’ EP below.
