Fresh Indie Fridays #115 Featuring Shreya Bajpai, Nush Lewis, Aarya, Jaden Maskie and More 

Shreya Bajpai — “Not Just Your Body” 

Goa-based singer-songwriter Shreya Bajpai‘s latest single, “Not Just Your Body,” blends sensuality with wit and sass. Produced by Mahesh Hiremath, the song features captivating guitar work by Mrinal Sharma and Cyril Gabriel. In a statement, Bajpai said, “There is a clear description of physical attraction but at the same time real emotions are involved which are stronger and become the chant ‘Not Just Your Body” throughout the song. The overall idea of the song is just about having fun while feeling all this and not losing oneself in the process. The song acts like a breath of fresh air in the contemporary world of situationships by introducing new ideas and terms of forming meaningful bonds.” 

Lush Lightyear — “Two Cents” 

Canada-based Lush Lightyear’s “Two Cents” delves deep into his roots and upbringing, serving as a heartfelt reflection on his past. The track captures pivotal moments from his childhood and explores themes of religion, identity, and loss. Produced by DEYS, the song incorporates Indian influences, including flute sounds and Hindi verses, paying homage to the artist’s heritage. In a statement, Lush Lightyear said, “It [the song] is essentially a self-reflection of my past and how that has shaped my thoughts and beliefs today. I am quite literally giving my ‘two cents.’” 

Aarya, Jaden Maskie – “Dreams” 

“Dreams” marks the first collaboration between singer-songwriters Aarya and Jaden Maskie, blending their unique sounds into a captivating track. Inspired by their chance encounter years ago, the song explores different perspectives on dreams, from love to nostalgia for simpler times. With elements of dream-pop and heavy synth, the upbeat track tells a compelling story while inviting listeners to ponder. 

Nush Lewis — “In the Shadows” 

Singer-songwriter/harpist Nush Lewis’ new song “In the Shadows” is a poignant exploration of grief and despair, set against a backdrop of war and loss. Evoking a sense of helplessness, the song invites listeners to confront their own experiences of darkness and sorrow. Derived from Lewis’s EP Fused, it’s an elevated rendition of her song “Frozen Eyes,” produced by Ayan De. Retaining the essence of the original, it weaves emotive lyrics and haunting melodies, offering a space for introspection and catharsis. 

pruthvi — “twentytwo” 

Mumbai-based singer-songwriter pruthvi unveils her latest indie pop single, “twentytwo,” produced by sudan. Reflecting on the whirlwind of emotions and experiences that accompany one’s twenties, the track captures the fear and uncertainties of growing up. With catchy lyrics and a poignant narrative, “twentytwo” serves as a relatable soundtrack for those navigating the rollercoaster of early adulthood.

Jaimin – “No Vices”

After a thoughtful piano introduction by master pianist Pradyumna Singh Manot and a laid-back guitar from Anchit Sengupta, setting the mood for a pensive dialogue between Kadambari Zokarkar and Jaimin Rajani, the song flows in a slow waltz tempo. It emphasizes the wistful lyrics by singer-songwriter Rajani on this single. As in a previous release from Rajani, “No Vices” steers the listener to dig into one’s own life experience; the lyrics are clever and quite universal in emotion. The voices of both Rajani and Zokarkar are well chosen for conveying the sparring between the two emotions, first exploring, then walking away from moving further. A lot is conveyed in less than five minutes! — (Written by Sunil Sampat)