Fresh Indie Fridays #84 Featuring Anoushka Kotak, The Lightyears Explode, FamLi and More

Jamna Paar – Strangers from Past Life

New Delhi bassist Gaurav Balani (from rockers Parikrama and electro-rockers Inalab) and flautist Shashank Singhania’s electronica duo Jamna Paar have recently released their debut eight-track full-length album Strangers from Past Life. The pair pack in plenty of soundscapes throughout the record from drum n bass to Indian classical and more. The album also includes a host of collaborators such as Apeksha Dandekar, Aditi Singh Sharma, Saptak Chatterjee and others to help bring the songs to life. In a statement, the duo said, “[We] decided to write music that reflected the whirlwind of emotions each of us experienced during the pandemic.”

The Lightyears Explode – “Fighting With Your Family”

Mumbai pop/punk rockers The Lightyears Explode are now out with the second single off their sophomore full-length album Suburban Prose. The song features a syrupy acoustic guitar riff as well as the band’s catchy hooks, up-tempo sound, punchy distorted guitar parts as well as a tasty solo. In a statement, the band said, “It deals with the generation gap, political or Ideological differences and trauma that causes tensions in many modern families, but also focuses on the love that brings them together.”

FamLi – Nobody Ever Comes To VP

Indo-Canadian producer Arnob Bal aka FamLi has followed up his 2020 beat tape Sleepless In Andheri West with the newly released 14-track Nobody Ever Comes To VP. Bal counts the new set of songs as a sister record to its predecessor. Nobody Ever Comes To VP delves into the artist’s Canadian side and includes Toronto-centric music from the mid-90s to mid-2000s. In a statement, Bal said, “The beats are weaved together using spoken word clips from podcasts and lectures. In an abstract way, the clips tell the story of decline in contemporary Western society.”

Aabishkar Thatal – Hiunda

Gangtok singer-songwriter Aabishkar Thatal first teased his debut EP in 2022 with the harmonious single “Nau Daanda Paari.” Now, Thatal is out with his five-track offering entitled Hiunda. The record includes an acoustic leaning folk sound with beautiful plucked guitar parts, Thatal’s immersive vocals and emotion. The artist takes the listener on a journey throughout the record as he sings in his native language. The artist said in a statement, “As I worked on Hiunda, I kept in mind the art of imperfection. I believe that perfection is just an illusion, and embracing the flaws and imperfections in our work is what makes it unique and special.”

Biancca – “Uljhe Dil”

Mumbai singer-songwriter Biancca’s debut single comes in the shape of the rock track “Uljhe Dil.” The song includes a groovy bassline, gritty guitars, steely drums, Biancca’s soaring vocals and more. In a statement, the artist said, “’Uljhe Dil’ talks about how complicated relationships can overwhelm us, making our hearts feel tangled. It need not be a romantic one, it could be any relationship. And sometimes we have to let go of a loved one, which is never easy. But even after we do, at times we find a part of them still living in us and our tangled hearts still longing for love.”

AB! and Natascha – “Keeping You Sane”

Mumbai artists AB! and Natascha collaborate on the saccharine new song “Keeping You Sane.” The upbeat pop track includes infectious melodies from both artists while they harmonize at parts too which makes for great ear candy. The song is also accompanied by a colorful music video. In a statement, AB! said, “I made this song a while ago with the intention of communicating how I felt through lyrics. A lot of emotions attached while making this and it took a year to find the right artist to work with who could reciprocate my feelings on the song and write what the song needed.”

Anoushka Kotak – “Time’s Up”

Mumbai-bred singer-songwriter Anoushka Kotak shares a soulful number as her debut single entitled “Time’s Up.” The R&B-laced song also features pop and jazz elements, Kotak’s strong vocal performance and blissful harmonies. In a statement, the artist said, “’Time’s Up’ is an empowerment anthem about finally having the courage to cut people, who leave you bruised and broken, out of your life.”