Fresh Indie Fridays #38

Nirvik, Mohak – “Aadat”

Mumbai artists, singer-songwriter Nirvik and hip-hopper Mohak join forces on the melancholic “Aadat.” According to the artists, the track emphasizes on one’s fixation with “certain activities, feelings and people.” While the song is built with quaint guitar parts, Nirvik sings sombrely as Mohak delivers melodic rhymes.

Koloma – “Swrapsa”

Tripura folk fusion band Koloma’s latest offering is the nostalgic “Swrapsa.” Through the track, the group fuses alternative and post-rock with their Tripuri folk melodies to create a vibrant and exciting sonic experience. When it comes to the lyrics of the song, the band said in a statement, “It captures the feelings of love, loss, and longing. It essays the missed opportunity and a deep heartache felt due to unrequited love and bring out our fresh outlook towards emotion.”

Hashbass – “Lotus”

New Delhi-bred bassist and producer Harshit Misra aka Hashbass’ newest single “Lotus” comes wrapped beautifully in a sitar melody. The track encapsulates zen energy and captures a sense of calmness and serenity as you listen to it. In a statement, the artist said, “‘Lotus’ is both a meditative journey and a gentle reminder to focus on peace rolled into one.”

Harpreet Bansal – Parvat

Norway-based Harpreet Bansal offers quintessential Indian classical music juxtaposed with playful jazz on the journeying body of work that is Parvat. There are times when the record floats quite brilliantly between a sense of mystery with deep double bass and an encompassing soundscape, and at other times, it is frantic with the use of the tabla and string arrangements.

Aaditya Rakheja – “Mehfooz”

On his latest ballad “Mehfooz,” Bhopal-bred and New York-based singer-songwriter Aaditya Rakheja calls upon heavy hitters such as guitarist Warren Mendonsa aka Blackstratblues, drummer Darshan Doshi, keyboardist Jarvis Menzes and bassist Vivian D’souza to play on the song. The track is filled with luxuriant instrumentation as Rakheja’s breathy vocals cut through the mix splendidly. In a statement, the artist said, “‘Mehfooz’ means secure and safeguarded. This song explores how intimacy comes in many forms, but the underlying emotion is the feeling of having a safe space. This emotional safety is a canvas that can be painted in different forms of affection and this song goes through them—romance, love, friendship, trust, and healing.”

Spotlight – “Fall in Love”

Chennai alt-rockers Spotlight have dropped their raucous debut single “Fall in Love.” The in-your-face track includes everything you’d want in a rock song. From dynamic drumming to hooky guitar lines, soaring vocals and a tight groove, “Fall in Love” packs a punch. In a statement, the band said, “It is about heartbreak and how one cannot stand the anguish of losing a loved one while yearning for them to return. The song consists of themes of unrequited love and loneliness.”