Fresh Indie Fridays #100 Featuring Jhalli, Maqta, Anoushka and More

Jhalli – “Don’t Come Back”

Fresh off starring in the Bollywood film Jawan, Mumbai-based pop artist Aaliyah Qureishi aka Jhalli also put out a new single, the peppy number “Don’t Come Back.” The song includes Jhalli’s brand of pop music, with lyrics about a relationship gone sour as well as her infectious vocals. In a statement, she said, “It’s for someone who absolutely shattered my heart and disappeared but keeps coming back every time it’s convenient for them.”

Maqta – Silsile

Mumbai musician Sarthak Karkare – who fronts alt-rockers Unohu and St. Cyril – has just released his debut EP for his solo Hindi outfit Maqta. The three-track Silsile showcases Karkare’s softer side both sonically and lyrically. In a statement, he said, “The songs are inspired by Hindi and Urdu poetry, literature, ghazals, retro Bollywood music of R.D and S.D Burman, classical Indian and Western music and cinematic scores.”

Pritom Gohain – Khiriki

Dibrugarh-bred guitarist-composer Pritom Gohain is now out with his eight-track debut album Khiriki. The Assamese record traverses country folk, ambient pop, alt-rock and psychedelia. In a statement, Gohain said, “It is a musical album or rather a collection of stories based on some significant stages of life. It is divided into seven stages to draw a parallel to the seven musical notes. The special use of sound design on this album gives the album a more realistic touch and attempts to explore a new space. With some very powerful lyrics by multiple writers, it speaks of my emotions related to each of the seven stages.”

Suman Sridhar – The Black Mamba – I

Mumbai/Goa vocalist-composer Suman Sridhar has released the first of three EPs entitled The Black Mamba I. The record includes three songs that feature contemporary R&B sounds, introspective lyricism and more.  

Anoushka – “Anomalies”

After a two-year hiatus from releasing music, Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Anoushka Sivasankar – who goes by her first name – is now back with a fresh pop banger entitled “Anomalies.” The groovy track includes a slick bass line, scintillating horn parts as well as Anoushka’s soaring vocals. In a statement, she said, “During tough times, I adopted the perspective that the universe was on my side despite the challenges I faced. Embarking on a search for anomalies — interpretations of signs and synchronicities from the universe confirming I was on the right path, ‘Anomalies’ reflects this personal journey and my unique coping mechanism during crises.”