New Music: From New Delhi Prog to Tamil Rock and More

”˜Sirius’ by ArrowBridge

Rather quietly and on his own time, New Delhi-based guitarist Karthik Ram took his studio project ArrowBridge to the level of a competing band and began working on proggy songs that not only tipped their hat to the likes of Porcupine Tree and Devin Townsend, but also went one step ahead and involved musicians close to his idols. The nine-track debut album Sirius features Porcupine Tree guitarist John Wesley (“An Idea”), multi-instrumentalist Dave Young (part of the Devin Townsend Project) on the galloping “Happy” and French extreme metallers Betraying the Martyrs’ guitarist Lucas D’Angelo on the tabla-infused “Telangana.” Top-notch guests aside, Sirius stands on its own as a diverse record, even if they don’t stray too far from familiar prog territory.

”˜Empty Spaces’ by Granular

Kolkata-based producer and synth artist Diptendu Das has released his first collection of songs as Granular. Apart from his love for modular synthesis, Das roams ambient and cinematic soundscapes on the six-track Empty Spaces. He likens it to diving into a vast ocean, starting with “Visibility” and building up to a hypnotic beat on “Unknown” and “Now I Try To Know.” Blips and a poignant piano run through “Explorer,” “10000 Feet Down” and by the end of it, there’s a happier, joyful tone on “Only Empty Spaces.”

“Thedadhey” by Oorka

Their first single since the release of their 2016 self-titled debut, Chennai-based rock band Oorka get funky, laidback and almost nostalgic on their smooth yet emphatic “Thedadhey.” Part of Sony Music’s South Indian song series 7UP Madras Gig, Oorka amp up on a song (“Thedadhey” translates to “stop searching”) about quests and introspection. Within two weeks of its release, the video has racked up over two million views, which can only be a shot in the arm for the Chennai rockers.

“King of Dreams” by Overhung

Indo-American rockers Overhung have also returned with their first release since a full-length album. After Moving Ahead released in 2016, the Mumbai band signed up with American label Test Your Metal Records, who reissued the album in North America earlier this year. “King of Dreams,” however, furthers their glam metal influences, making for an anthemic thumper.

“Floating” by Layer ft KC Loy

Whittled down from its six-minute simmering original cut, Mumbai-based producer Chaitanya Bulusu aka Layer’s latest collaboration is the two-and-a-half minute version of “Floating,” a spectral take featuring vocalist K.C. Loy, who also doubles up as director for the music video that dabbles in visual metaphors of entrapment and fate.