The three-track record retains the New Delhi musician’s jazz sensibilities while he also covers fresh territory

New Delhi guitarist-producer Raj. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
After the release of his 2020 singles, “New York Cheesecake” and “Her,” New Delhi-based guitarist-producer Rajkanwar Sodhi aka Raj began working on fresh music while also seeking collaborations in India and overseas. Simultaneously, the musician was also putting together his just-released three-track debut EP Safe Space. “I produced it between July to December last year,” he says.
According to the artist, he wanted the record to be warmer and more downtempo as compared to his previous material. Raj also experimented with sonic elements that originated from Japanese hip-hop. He says, “All three tracks have an old school dusty lo-fi vibe and are layered with choppy vocal samples adding depth.”
Safe Space opens with the moody “Forever” which also features a hooky guitar line before we hear the dreamy piano-aided “Sakura” while the record closes with the groove-based “Kyoto.” The artist says, “For me, these songs are my safe and comfortable space.” He adds, “I envision a meditative and therapeutic experience for anybody who connects with this EP.”
For the moment, Raj has been using social media to promote the record and has also tied up with South Korean record label Smile For Me which has helped him make his way onto playlists on streaming platforms. The musician is also keen on taking his music live by putting together a lo-fi hip-hop guitar-driven set. Looking ahead, he says, “More music is in the pipeline for 2021, I plan to keep experimenting and evolving my sound.”
Stream ‘Safe Space’ on Spotify below:
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