Hear Mumbai Alt-Rockers Alchemy’s Debut Album ‘Izhaar’

We first came across Mumbai-based Hindi alt-rock band Alchemy when they made it to the final four of the third edition of the Parx Band Hunt in 2018. Since then, the band began chipping away at songs for their debut eight-track album Izhaar which released late last year.

Alchemy – comprising guitarist Yash Rajput, guitarist-vocalist Aniruddha Deshpande, bassist Nilesh Dalwani and drummer Ankit Gangwani – came together in 2016 while the members were in college. “We started playing college competitions where the band was pretty successful,” says Deshpande.

The group’s debut record is a total riff party, bringing forth scintillating guitar solos over a bed of steady grooves and steely vocals which clocks in at just over 40 minutes. Deshpande tells us that the captivating album opener “Chhodo Bhi Yeh” is about “letting things go and having faith in finding the silver lining” while on the chunky “Manzil” the band talks about “the basic aspects to lead a great life and try to induce a moral force.”

The mid record title track is a crunchy rock ballad that leans on the theme of love. On the pulsating “Chal Le Chal,” the band sings about breaking free. “Roll up your problems, inhale the good vibes and exhale the bad ones,” says Deshpande. According to the guitarist-vocalist, the dynamic album closer “Tum Aao” addresses the “longing to meet someone” and “how people hide behind a facade.”

Izhaar was recorded at the band’s Mumbai home studio and also at the city-based Trinity Studios. Kerala’s Vivek Thomas mixed and mastered the album. Next, the band has plans to put out official merchandise and also have shows lined up at college festivals. With music videos out for “Izhaar” and “Tum Aao,” Deshpande says, “A lot of things are being planned and getting into action. We’re also curating a mini India tour in the month of June.”

Hear ‘Izhaar’ below: