New Music: Aditya Jassi, Nyalee, Kekhrie Ringa, Music UnLtd. and More

“I Promise” by Pratzapp, Shikha (from AKOG)

Bengaluru artists Pratzapp and Shikha from rock band AKOG aka Another Kind of Green aim for anthemic pop-punk in the vein of Blink-182, Simple Plan and possibly recent Machine Gun Kelly on “I Promise.”  It pulls and pushes in a typical way, drawing from the nostalgia of the sound while adding a few other rock flourishes. According to the artists, the lyrics “delve into the aftermath of a breakup, as the protagonist reflects on past moments and expresses a heartfelt promise to the one they still hold dear.”

“Puzzle Pieces” by Soha

Hyderabad singer-songwriter Soha’s new song “Puzzle Pieces” takes the glimmering synth-pop route, and adds a new dimension to the narrative with a music video directed by filmmaker Ayush Saxena. It centers around what Soha calls a “human-robot love triangle story,” where an android is tinkered with by its creator, only for it to gain sentience as they grow closer.

“Pina Colada” by Bhau x Insi8 x Fakeer

Although Jammu-origin artist Bhau has just released his new guitar-centric album Kasrod this month, he prefaced it with the collaborative track “Pina Colada,” featuring hip-hop artists Insi8 and Fakeer. Gliding on the lo-fi and acoustic guitar solos of Bhau and his comparison between a girl and a pina colada, Insi8 and Fakeer bring similar girl stories, turning on the charm. The cherry on the cake, is the ultra-camp, intentionally amateur and arcade-style music video.

“Jaanejaan” by Aditya Jassi, Muheet Bharati

Seasoned artist Aditya Jassi has had several years in film and commercial music under his belt, but it’s on his new song “Jaanejaan” that he lets listeners in on a different side to him – as a rock crooner. With producer Muheet Bharati, the song released by music duo Salim-Sulaiman’s Merchant Records has all the makings of a soaring, arena-rock record, with Jassi’s high-pitched vocal range taking centerstage. It helps that he takes the song in more directions as it progresses, introducing saxophone and slide guitar, among other elements.

“Yaadein” by Aneesha, Chazz Bhalla

Singer-composer Aneesha teams up with New Delhi guitarist-producer and composer Chazz Bhalla for the melancholy dance-pop song “Yaadein.” While the first version of the track was composed and produced by Aneesha, Bhalla built upon it to arrive at the journeying, melodic house-informed song that might remind listeners of electronic artists Bonobo and Ben Bohmer, except “Yaadein” has soulful Hindi lyrics to lead it.

“Faasley” by Advait Sawant, Shashwat Singh, Akanksha Bhandari

Composer Advait Sawant teams up with singers Shashwat Singh and Akanksha Bhandari for “Faasley,” which rounds off his three-track EP. Released via Merchant Records, there’s a marked electronic-pop direction taken by Sawant, the swerving beats and glitchy synths serving as a buoyant foundation for  Singh and Bhandari to put their vocal chops to optimum use.

“Kahani” by Ady Manral

In his distinctly pitched vocals, Landour, Mussorie-based singer-songwriter Ady Manral sings about the ways of the world and those we perceive to be in control on his new song “Kahani.” Recorded and co-produced with Kochi-based Vivek Thomas, there’s a folksy and percussive guitar approach that paints an ominous picture. The artist says the song portrays “a controlled state of living, reflecting the turmoil, instability, and chaos prevalent both within the country and elsewhere. It calls on individuals to find their inner strength and stand against external forces in the present.”

“Rozana” by Nyalee

Mumbai singer-songwriter, rapper and producer Nyalee aka Nihal Shetty makes his debut with “Rozana,” produced by Harithelion. If any of these names sound familiar, then you’ve been following pop and hip-hop for a while now in India. Both Nyalee and Harithelion are part of the group Sixk and “Rozana” clearly takes off from their songwriting there. At just a minute and 20 seconds, the hip-hop/R&B-informed song might leave some wanting more, but that’s perhaps the point.

“Catch a Cab” by Pelican Shuffles

Kolkata rock band Pelican Shuffles marked World Music Day last month with the announcement of their new song “Catch a Cab.” With twinkly guitars and an additional voice with singer Ellerene Lyngdoh Nongbri, the song also introduces synth by Tirthankar Ray but mostly stays true to the late Nineties and early 2000s alt-rock vibe that Pelican Shuffles have championed so far.

“It Crossed My Mind” by Music UnLtd.

Mumbai rock band Music UnLtd. take the spacey rock route on their new song “It Crossed My Mind.” Led by founder and songwriter Milin’s longing vocals and keyboardist Krunal Shah’s nimble work that reminds one of Pink Floyd, the song also brings in drummer Yadhunandan Nagaraj and bassist Nikhil Nair.  “The song says that separation – contrary to its negative connotations – is a good thing if a relationship is not great or simply in a state of inertia. It sets you free to explore better relationships,” a description for the track adds.

“Cure and Love” by Kekhrie Ringa

Nagaland singer-songwriter Kekhrie Ringa’s “Cure and Love” takes listeners right into a calming, seductive R&B/pop style in the vein of artists like Raveena. There’s a lushness – amplified by the trippy and otherworldly atmosphere in the music video – that makes “Cure and Love” a swaying listen. The artist says the concept was inspired by “something dreamy, the power of words and self-love, inner healing and femininity.” She adds about a prominent element in the music video, “The headgear represents glory with responsibilities while the set represents a safe place that one gets to live in as a result of growth and acceptance.”

“Khushi Khushi” by Anushka Jag

Intended as a “spiritual pop” song, Los Angeles/Mumbai artist Anushka Jag’s “Khushi Khushi” talks about chancing upon happiness and harnessing it in a way that it becomes a feeling she can turn on. Propped up by club-friendly and bright pop songwriting and beats, the song aims to land among the new wave of Indian and Indian-origin artists who work in Hindi and English lyrics in their hook to reach wider audiences.