Tarang Joseph, Afterall, Simplemanradio and All The New Songs to Know This Week

Indian indie artists have often found a way to put a new spin on the love song trope. From singer-composer Shubham Roy reflecting his regrets on “Kaise Kahoon” to artists Abhinav Saxena and Yana Fortep’s intimate duet of vocals and guitars on “Naked & Bare” and DJ-producer Afterall delivering an eerie new EDM song “Saajan” about a past love. Beyond love, Bengaluru rock band Simplemanradio offer a song of healing on “Beware” and singer-songwriter Tarang Joseph brings determination on walking one’s path over disco-funk on “One Track Mind.”

Simplemanradio – “Beware”

Bengaluru indie rockers Simplemanradio open their arms wide for a warm, pop-punk-inspired hug on their latest single “Beware,” which comes with a music video directed by filmmaker M.K. Abhilash. The trio incorporate catchy hooks, a heartwarming lesson about healing and a fun merch idea (for band-aids) all in the span of six minutes. The band says in a statement, “‘Beware’ is a raw, emotionally charged rock anthem rooted in themes of love, healing, and the messiness of being human.”

Daaku Haseenaa, Bongoland – “Dynamite Eyes”

In true youthful indecisiveness, New Delhi artist Daaku Haseenaa aka Kritika Goyal’s song “Dynamite Eyes” puts forward the need for a tall guy, cheap thrills and a “toxic nice guy.” Over skittering beats from producer Bongoland, Daaku Haseenaa roams London’s hotspots looking for the perfect match, tired of dating apps in the Hindi-English bop. She says, “The track weaves hypnotic melodies with evocative storytelling—sultry yet empowering—reflecting my multicultural roots and modern sensibility.”

Tarang Joseph – “One Track Mind”

Bengaluru singer-songwriter Tarang Joseph has a penchant for taking all kinds of lyrical themes and moods and giving them the disco-funk treatment. “One Track Mind” is exactly that.  “This song came from being exhausted by people telling me what I should do, whether it was keeping music as a hobby, following a certain career path, or fitting into someone else’s idea of who I should be,” he says. Over fluid basslines, wistful guitar lines, saxophone, and colorful rhythms, Joseph introspects and also pushes back against societal expectations. He says, “For a long time, it filled me with angst to be shoved into a box of conformity. ‘One Track Mind’ is my rejection of all that. It’s about tuning out the noise, rejecting what doesn’t align with the deepest parts of my soul, and following my own truth and intuition unapologetically.”

Rishab Rikhiram Sharma – “Kantara”

Fresh off his shimmering single “Burning Ghat,” sitar virtuoso Rishab Rikhiram Sharma puts his lyrical dexterity on full display with a hypnotic reimagining of cult film Kantara’s “Varaha Roopam.” Anchoring the track — immortalized by playback singer Sai Vignesh and composer Ajaneesh Loknath — in ragas like Thodi, Mukhari, and Kanakaangi, Sharma filters its spiritual core through a neo-classical and LoFi lens, transforming its intensity into something meditative, modern, and deeply moving.

Enamour & Anyasa – “Bazaar”

Goa electronic artist Anyasa toured India with Los Angeles producer Enamour in December 2024 and they were undoubtedly ragers in several cities. That’s when their new song “Bazaar” was born, which is decidely fun house track with all the playful elements, from whistles to scratching to the catchy bassline. The song is released via electronic artist Solomun’s label Diynamic.

Anyasa says in a statement, “Enamour is one of my favorite producers, and I’m thrilled to release this incredible single with him on Solomun’s legendary Diynamic label – truly a bucket-list moment! ‘Bazaar’ is a track that truly bridges worlds. It’s rooted in India but designed for dance floors everywhere.” Enamour says in his statement, “‘Bazaar’ was the result of a few fun sessions across India and Los Angeles; Anyasa and I wanted to capture the raw energy of classic Bollywood dance scenes but within the context of a timeless house record.”

Rashi Mal – “Na Jaa/Stay”

Singer-songwriter and actor Rashi Mal lets you take your pick between English and Hindi versions of her music with her Hindi single “Na Jaa” and its English version “Stay.” The lamenting song has an appropriate acoustic production courtesy of Rahul Popawala, offering a gentle foundation of piano, acoustic guitar, and minimal percussion that keeps her message of unfulfilled love at the front and center. She says in a statement, “‘Na Jaa’ is an ode to the love that could not be — the dream we hold on to in spite of everything and the fragile hope that softens the ache of a reality that does not mirror the heart’s desire.”

Blue Morfo – “Main Hoon Yahan”

New Delhi-based rock band Blue Morfo’s upcoming debut EP Main Hoon Yahan opens with a metaphor-filled music video for their title track, a love ballad that stands out for its use of sarangi to convey a mournfulness. It builds up into pained pop-rock territory, reminiscent of bands like Strings. “With this release, we wanted to push our creative boundaries and deliver something totally unexpected from a Rock and Roll band like ours. It’s more than just music. ‘Main Hoon Yahan’ explores the bittersweet feeling of having arrived at the place you always dreamt of — only to realize you’ve left something irreplaceable behind,” the band shares.

Abhinav Saxena, Yana Fortep – “Naked & Bare”

Guitarist and composer Abhinav Saxena has taken on everything from rock to soothing acoustic guitar tracks in the past. With his latest, “Naked & Bare” with singer-songwriter Yana Fortep, there’s a sensual funk direction, punctuated by deep basslines, airy keyboard, and Fortep’s forthright, intimate vocal. Saxena gets to throw in a guitar solo, making it even more playful. The artists share that the song originally began as a poem by Saxena that was “reflecting on vulnerability, trust, and the nature of love.” Reflecting the artists’ own love story, the pair say, “The song evolves from the declaration ‘My skin is my home’ to the deeper recognition that ‘Your skin is my home,’ capturing the movement from self-acceptance to intimacy and shared connection.”

Shubham Roy – “Kaise Kahoon”

Singer-composer Shubham Roy’s latest single “Kaise Kahoon,” like Saxena’s “Naked & Bare,” also found its start as a poem before it found melodies to become a song. The fusion song is co-composed by Roy and Rohit Gandhi, aka GNDHI, and floats gently like a nostalgic story, reminding us of the ghazal style. Roy does exercise his vocal range a good amount, and flautist Arjun Mpn adds an intense shade to the track as well. Roy says in a statement, “‘Kaise Kahoon’ is an indie fusion track that beautifully captures the emotions people often struggle to express to the ones they love. At the beginning of every love story, countless feelings remain unspoken, leaving behind the lingering thought, ‘I wish I had said it…’”

Magen Fernandes, Cyril Fernandes – “Talking to the Dead”

Introduced as a story from “the wild wild west of Ambernath,” singer-songwriter Magen Fernandes pays tribute to her father Cyril Fernandes on “Talking to the Dead,” finishing the song that was originally written by him 16 years ago. Magen completed the song after his passing last year, and with producer Yung Troubadour, “Talking to the Dead” becomes one of the few country/hip-hop beats in Indian indie we’ve heard. The music video sees Fernandes bring in her community, friends, and family as they remember their dearly departed as well. It’s at times unflinchingly morbid but also resilient. She says, “It’s a song born out of a simple town, woven through mixed roots, and built on love, loss, and the unbreakable bond between generations. Through this piece, I want to show that while I can step into my father’s shoes, I can also very rightfully fulfill his dreams — making his voice live on through mine.”

Afterall – “Saajan”

Mumbai-based, Jaipur-bred DJ-producer Afterall is championing Bollytech and adds a bit of Afro and Middle Eastern sonic palettes on his new song “Saajan.” With a slick video shot in Dubai, there’s an added cinematic nature to the producer’s urgent, haunting, and hypnotic beats. The artist says in a statement, “‘Saajan’ is a story of love, loss, and destiny. It’s about being haunted by a past love — the one you can’t forget, no matter how far you go. After the song blows up, I perform in Dubai, and in the middle of the crowd, I see her — the same person who inspired it all.”

Raghav & Arjun, Amira Gill – “Khasma Nu Khaniye”

Music duo Raghav & Arjun enlist singer-songwriter Amira Gill for a breezy new track, “Khasma Nu Khaniye,” that kind of makes you forget it’s about heartbreak. The buoyant Punjabi track has dreamy synth and Gill’s sublime vocals and comes with a music video starring Aditi Sandhya Sharma and Anuj Rampal as they go through the motions, directed and shot vibrantly by Akshay Nair. Raghav & Arjun say in a statement, “We’ve tried to weave the two sides with equal care in this ‘end of an affair’ song.”

Akhil Sahni – Puzzle EP

New Delhi/London singer-songwriter Akhil Sahni bares his heart on his latest EP Puzzle, with five piano pop songs that recall the likes of John Mayer and Daniel Powter, with more R&B leanings reminiscent of Craig David. Lush vocal harmonies make “Make You Love Me” stand out, while “Waiting For You” is comforting with its guitar pop direction. Sahni says, “I want to do for the piano, what John Mayer did for the guitar. The way he made that palatable to young and modern audiences, became a feature on tracks and toured with bands as a guitarist alongside his career adding his own flavor to everything he touched, having diverse listeners and critical appreciation at the same time.”

Pt. Nayan Ghosh and Ishaan Ghosh – “Raga Deepawali”

With “Raga Deepawali,” the father-son duo of Pandit Nayan Ghosh on sitar and Ishaan Ghosh on tabla craft a luminous ode to heritage, harmony, and the enduring spirit of Hindustani classical music. The composition traces its lineage to a rare gem — a raga originally conceived by Pandit Pannalal Ghosh, the pioneering maestro of the bansuri and Ishan Ghosh’s granduncle. Musically, “Raga Deepawali” is a graceful confluence of contrasts, with the serenity of raga Yaman meeting the meditative depth of raga Lalit. The result is a soundscape that feels both spiritual and celebratory as Nayan Ghosh’s sitar flows with soulful precision, while Ishaan’s tabla pulses with intricate, joyful energy.

“It’s very rare to find great musicians composing ragas, not just compositions. And ragas stay on for eternity.” Ishaan Ghosh says in a statement. “Deepawali is a raga that can feel deep and spiritual on one hand, makes you feel joyful and exuberant on the other hand. It’s been a special experience putting this track together with Baba – we’re putting out music together after a while. And what better occasion than Diwali to share a composition like this  with the world.”

Yashraj, Badshah — “DAF”

Mumbai hip-hop artist Yashraj‘s latest single “DAF” opens with a hook from none other than hip-hop/pop star Badshah, marking their first collaboration. For Yashraj, the single marks yet another sonic pivot after the disco-informed Meri Jaan Pehle Naach EP from 2024, with producers Hiten and Neversober teaming up to deliver a house and glimmering R&B-style sonic palette. Yashraj says in a statement about the uplifting track, “We spend so much time worrying about how we’re being perceived, when in reality, the most beautiful moments come from just being free and present. It kind of ties back to that iconic line ‘Kuch toh log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna’ – people will always talk, but you’ve got to keep moving to your own rhythm.”

Sharing his thoughts, Badshah says, “Yashraj feels like a little brother to me – I’ve been following his journey for a while and really admire his hunger and creativity. Working with him on ‘DAF’ just felt effortless, like we were speaking the same language. I’m genuinely happy we finally got to make this one together.”