Fresh Indie Fridays #40

Sahirah – “Juicy” feat. NEMY

Mumbai/London artist Sahirah Oshidar (who goes by her first name as an artist) recently released her sophomore single in the shape of the saccharine “Juicy.” The playful track oozes with pop production, Sahirah’s quirky lyrics and syrupy vocals as well as a short verse from U.K. artist NEMY. Talking about the track – inspired by French toast and a crush Sahirah had – she said in a statement, “I was in Goa with my best friend at her house and she sent a video of me eating French toast to this boy and his reply was ‘yummy… and the French toast too.’ That’s how ‘Juicy’ was born.” The song also comes with a colorful music video that see’s the singer performing the track amidst a whole bunch of breakfast items.

Ankit Dayal – “Good Way to Die (Quarantine Edition)”

A year into their existence, a jangly acoustic-leaning pop-rock track made the rounds in 2012 amongst indie music fans of a track called “Good Way to Die” by then newcomers in the scene, Mumbai alt/rock outfit Spud in the Box. While the band went on to release an EP (Attention Please, 2013) and a full-length album (Lead Feet Paper Shoes, 2016), “Good Way to Die” never found itself on either record and was also not an official single released by the group. Now, the band’s vocalist-guitarist Ankit Dayal – who penned the track over 12 years ago – has given the song a new lease of life, this time jacketed in dazzling electronic undertones, a slower tempo, crafty percussive work as well as hauntingly-beautiful vocal textures. In a statement, Dayal said, “Inspired by the film Into the Wild, it is a song about escaping the rat race and giving up everything materialistic.” He added, “While I sang the words for almost a decade in various iterations, I couldn’t have ever imagined they’d make so much more sense during a worldwide lockdown. This edition is a reinterpretation of my younger self as well as a first step towards who and where I want to be.”

Rishab Nair – If Not For You

Earlier this month, Bengaluru-based composer and producer Rishab Nair released his nine-track debut album If Not For You. The angelic and devotional fusion record calls upon a host of collaborators as we hear emotive, enchanting and poignant performances across the album. There’s quaint piano parts, Hindustani classical vocals, calming instrumental offerings as well as uplifting moments that hit the spot. If Not For You covers Sufi music, bhajans, pop, Gospel rock and more. In a statement, Nair said, “This album is an expression of my spiritual journey through the ups and downs of life.”

Ruhaan79, Trap Monk – Lost & Found

Jaipur rapper Ruhaan79 and producer Trap Monk team up on the freshly released five-track EP Lost & Found. The record blends together ambient music with dark trap while also juxtaposing trap soul, R&B and pop elements. Lost & Found packs a punch with Ruhaan79’s catchy and melodic delivery as Trap Monk lays the foundation with moody and vibrant production work. In a statement, the artists said, “Lost & Found is an album about the deepest connection between two individuals who are combating the darkest parts of their own personalities while they confront the self-destructive, toxic and reckless nature of their relationship.”