Fresh Indie Fridays #97 Featuring Riya Duggal, St. Cyril, Abdon Mech and More

Riya Duggal – “Na Tha Woh Pyaar”

Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Riya Duggal (one-half of pop duo Simetri) has just released her debut solo single in the shape of the mellow pop number “Na Tha Woh Pyaar.” The bilingual track includes laidback soundscapes that sit perfectly under Duggal’s mellifluous vocals and hooky melodies. In a statement, Duggal said, “’Na Tha Woh Pyaar’ is about realizing that a relationship I was in, was heading towards a dead end. It talks about feelings of confusion, insecurity, and convincing yourself that if you are going through these, it mustn’t be love after all.”

St. Cyril – The Most Amazing Exhaustion of the Century

After debuting in 2022 and releasing five singles last year, Mumbai rockers St. Cyril – comprising brothers; vocalist-guitarist Sarthak Karkare and drummer Shashwat Karkare – are now out with their debut three-track EP entitled The Most Amazing Exhaustion of the Century. The record features the duo’s brand of riff-oriented rock music juxtaposed with plenty of melodies, groove and singalong sections. In a statement, the band said, “Modern life has brought up new challenges that people toil with and often succumb to. There is a constant pressure to be a certain person and project a lifestyle that will be aspirational. Through our debut EP, we highlight these things that we are exhausted by with each song addressing one theme.”

Abdon Mech – “Paper and Gold”

Nagaland singer-songwriter Abdon Mech’s newest offering is the piano-aided pop ballad “Paper and Gold.” Mech’s vocals stand out across the track while the song’s soft and poignant soundscapes are filled with plenty of emotion. In a statement, Mech said, “’Paper and Gold’ is a post-breakup reflective monologue.”

Mehr – A Shade of Blue I Mistook for Red

New Delhi singer-songwriter Mehr Khurmi – who goes by her first name – recently dropped her new seven-track record called A Shade of Blue I Mistook for Red. Sonically, the record houses an alternative and dystopian rock sound while Mehr’s hauntingly beautiful vocals carry the songs. In a statement, Mehr said, “The EP takes listeners on a journey through different emotional landscapes, capturing moments of vulnerability, rage, introspection and acceptance.”

NOUMAD – “Polaroid”

Kolkata singer-songwriter NOUMAD’s sophomore single “Polaroid” is a gentle and soothing number. The track includes ambient and wistful soundscapes as well as NOUMAD’s breathy vocals. In a statement, NOUMAD said, “I wrote ‘Polaroid’ when I moved away from home for the first time. Spending the entire summer alone, working and fending for myself, nobody I knew or loved was even in the same city. On many nights, I desperately craved the ease and comfort of the years that had passed, but ended up feeling hollow and alone. The warm, fuzzy landscapes of film photographs from childhood, and those years of innocence were long gone, a distant echo from a thousand streets away.”

Matteo Fraboni Trio – Standards

Italian-bred and Goa-based drummer Matteo Fraboni is out with a new dexterous eight-track jazz album entitled Standards. The fluidity and high-level musicianship is felt right across the record and it includes plenty of remarkable moments.

Darshan Doshi, Mark Hartsuch – Better Than Sax

Mumbai drummer Darshan Doshi and American saxophonist Mark Hartsuch collaborate on the five-track jazz-rock meets electronic EP Better Than Sax. Both Doshi and Hartsuch are at their effervescent best throughout the EP as they blend multiple genres to create a slick and smooth wall of sound. In a statement, the artists said, “We feel that this album introduces a new sound to the ether of modern music, especially concerning the instrumentation and sonic vibe.”

The RedMoone – meraki

On his debut four-track EP meraki, singer-songwriter Alan Joy Mathew aka The RedMoone offers delicate and introspective tracks over acoustic instrumentation and heartfelt lyrics. In a statement, the artist said, “meraki is a manifestation of love from my point of view, and the very essence of that emotion. As someone deeply rooted in the realm of hopeless romantics, I always wanted to create songs that perfectly captured my feelings.”

Dishaan – Bad Timing

Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Dishaan brings his playful melodies and R&B-laced pop sound to life on his new seven-track sophomore EP Bad Timing. The record showcases the musician’s breezy vocals, nifty songwriting as well as crisp instrumentation.