Fresh Indie Fridays #76 Featuring Long Distances, Aarya, Prakti and More
Listen to the latest releases from independent acts
Scroll down to hear new releases on Fresh Indie Fridays by indie artists (clockwise from top) Long Distances, Aarya, Prakti, Romil Hoskere, Aadya Jaswal, Radha, Naval Anchan and Ozaan. Photos: Courtesy of the artists; Rono (Long Distances) Rachit Chimnani (Hoskere)
Long Distances – “Lovesong for an Apocalypse”
Fresh off the release from their debut single “Empire” last December, Mumbai indie-rock outfit Long Distances – comprising vocalist Aarifah Rebello, guitarist-producer Apurv Agrawal and guitarist-producer Zubin Pastakia – are now out with their sophomore single in the shape of the journeying “Lovesong for an Apocalypse.” It has catchy vocals, a groovy bass line, hooky guitar parts and more, and is off the band’s upcoming debut EP How the Mighty Will Fall. The group also tapped seasoned Mumbai drummer Jai Row Kavi to sit behind the kit for the track, and even worked with bassist-producer Krishna Jhaveri as well as producer Sandunes who provided additional synths to the song. In a statement, the band said, “At the center of the song is a protagonist, who is at once vulnerable and hopeful; nostalgic, yet realistic.
Aarya – “Peace Lily”
Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Aarya professes his feelings for a beloved on his new quaint single “Peace Lily.” The track includes plucked acoustic guitar parts, with keyboards, drums and bass adding to the song’s arrangement while Aarya is at his best with his crooning vocals. In a statement, the artist said, “I hope this track could be that ‘our song’ for someone and their partner.”
Prakti – Feel Butter
New Delhi-based singer-songwriter Prakti recently released her four-track sophomore EP Feel Butter. Through the record, the musician sings about romance and all that comes with falling, being in and staying in love with someone. Sonically, Prakti ushers in a new indie-rock sound with help from her producer Amartya Ghosh. In a statement, Prakti, said, “Creating Feel Butter has been an extremely enriching process for me as a songwriter and performer. It has pushed me to make choices that felt risky as I step away from my usual soft sonic and arrangement choices. Taking this risk has turned out to be incredibly rewarding for me and has helped expand my artistic identity.”
Romil Hoskere – Pehli Diary
On his four-track debut EP Pehli Diary, Raipur-based singer-songwriter Romil Hoskere offers folksy acoustic tunes. Hoskere’s husky vocals stand out amidst jangly, plucked and strummed guitar parts. In a statement, Hoskere said, “Like the average Indian, we all have so many unused diaries in our households. This EP is a go-through of a diary that I found. This diary holds my experiences and phases that an artist or writer has gone through; some of them are not that good and some of them are really close to my heart.”
Aadya Jaswal – “Aisha”
Gurugram singer-songwriter Aadya Jaswal has released the first single off her upcoming debut album. The hypnotic track, called “Aisha,” showcases Jaswal’s outstanding vocal chops as well as her poignant songwriting. The song also includes breathy acoustic guitar parts and delicate piano playing that capture the essence of the track. In a statement, the musician said, “I could see a little girl playing in the puddles, and my words were my one-sided conversation with her. There was no girl in reality, but the song is [dedicated] to the child inside all of us.”
Radha – “One Way Street”
Gurugram-bred and Boston-based singer-songwriter Radha is now out with her hauntingly beautiful debut single “One Way Street.” The song is replete with lush acoustic guitar plucking as well as ethereal sonic embellishments. Radha, on her part, delivers a stunning vocal performance as she takes you on an emotional journey through her mature songwriting and harmonies. In a statement, she said, “The song is inspired by the thrill of first meeting someone. The world shifting around you, the memories made, and the joy of being consumed by them. The jitters, the excitement, and the rush of emotions that come with new love. As I delved deeper into the song, it found new meaning for me. It also became a song about the heartache and acceptance of unrequited love.”
Naval Anchan, Ozaan – “Reverie”
In what seems to be a recurring theme in this week’s Fresh Indie Fridays, Goa artists Naval Anchan and Ozaan also offer plucked acoustic guitars as well as punchy strumming on their new song “Reverie.” Anchan’s dreamy vocals juxtaposed with Ozaan’s production touch make the track quite the earworm. In a statement, the artists said, “The word ‘reverie’ itself means daydream, so the lyrics came about with the key words lost, daydream, vision and fantasy in mind.”
