Free Download: Prateek Kuhad’s “Chahe Ya Na Chahe”

The last time we checked, Delhi-based singer-songwriter Prateek Kuhad had recently completed a course in Mathematics and Economics from NYU. In barely six months of returning to the country, he had managed to snag spots at festivals such as Bacardi NH7 Weekender and Escape. His eponymous debut EP’s minimalist sound had invited comparisons with Nick Drake and The Tallest Man On Earth, artists he wasn’t shy of calling his influences.

This month, as Kuhad readies the release of his second EP, the comparisons are more homebound. On Raat Raazi, his five-track EP that releases tomorrow, the 23-year-old brings in acoustic-driven Hindi pop rock that is simple and unhurried, a trait popularized by Mumbai-based Hindi rock band Ankur Tewari and the Ghalat Family. “Maybe the comparison is more to do with Hindi music. There are very few people in the country writing Hindi music in the kind of style that Ankur and I do,” says Kuhad, whose band includes Vir Singh Brar on percussions and Sahil Warsi on double-bass. “It’s not intentional if it sounds like that.”

What sets Kuhad apart is the complex arrangement of guitarlines. On the title track, the plucky guitarist is seen showcasing his fingerstyle technique. “Over time, my sound has evolved in terms of the complexity of the chords I play and I think it’s lyrically improved as well,” he says. While the language has changed, Kuhad maintains that his sound is just the same: “Sound wise, it’s very similar to my debut. It’s the same vibe in the sense that it’s still very acoustic driven. Only thing that’s changed is that this is in Hindi. At some point, about a year and a half ago, I naturally started writing songs in Hindi. I went through a phase when I was listening to a few old Hindi songs and it just sort of organically happened that I started writing in Hindi.”

The singer-songwriter, who writes and sings in Hindi and English, adds that his next release may be a completely English record, though the essence will remain the same. “Musically, I was pretty sure from the beginning in what I wanted with this EP. I wanted a clean, minimal acoustic sound and that’s what we have come close to achieving,” he says. Through the five songs on Raat Raazi, the singer-songwriter writes about life and relationship. “Some of the songs are about me. The primary themes are youth, passion and love,” he adds.

Ahead of the release, ROLLING STONE India is offering one track from the EP as a free download starting today. “Chahe Ya Na Chahe” will be available for download until August 31^st. Says Kuhad about the track, “This is probably the first Hindi song I wrote. All the five songs on the EP were written over one and  half years, so they are all different. This one’s just a very simple fun song about falling in love.”

 

Download “Chahe Ya Na Chahe” here [right click and press ”˜Save As’] 

Raat Raazi releases on August 18th. For details, click here.

 

 

Prateek Kuhad Collective EP Launch Tour

Mumbai- August 21st, 2013 - Cheval Bar & Restaurant. Details here.

New Delhi- August 23rd – Garden of Five Senses. Details here 

Jaipur – August 24th – Ta Blu, Hotel Clarks Amer 

Pune – August 28th – High Spirits 

Bengaluru – August 31st – The BFlat Bar