New Music: Chennai Hip-Hop to New Delhi Electronica

“Move On Rag” by Serenade

Kolkata/Guwahati blues band Serenade add a touch of experimentation to an old-soul genre, but never falling short of delivering the right vibe. Their single “Move On Rag,” for example, nearly sounds like it ends near the four-minute mark, but they turn it into a light, slow outro jam. Hear the rest of their recently-released debut full-length album Easterly Wind here.

After Hours EP by Karun Ramani

On his debut EP, 25-year-old Chennai-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Karun Ramani comes up with one of the smoothest, slickest collection of songs that proves how much you can do if you know your sampling and beat-making. From the opening track “Pocket Change” to the guitar-charmed “How Much?” and the suave late-night soundtrack “Snacks,” Ramani effortlessly works in electronic, hip-hop, soul, R&B and funk influence for one sublime listen.

“Lonely Thirst” by Tankbund

After more than three years, Delhi electronica group Tankbund have released a new stand-alone, but hopefully that’s not to say it’s a one-off. With a slightly different lineup ”“ that now includes drummer Aman Kumar Singh ”“ Tankbund come back with hypnotic synth lines and a steady rhythm, layered with harmonies from their three keyboardists ”“ Ritwik De (who handles lead vocals on this track), Subhadra Kamath and Tarana Marwah.

Tana by Kyojin

Bengaluru-based acoustic rock outfit Kyojin’s debut album Tana is filled with melodic harmonies and delicate instrumentation, which makes for an appealing album. Apart from the track “Rain” ”“ which is an obvious rip-off from the Jack Johnson hit “Banana Pancakes” that we’ll forgive them for ”“ the three-piece outfit manage to leave a stellar mark on their first record, and with strong musicianship so early in their career, they surely have a strong grip on what the future holds for themselves.

Untitled EP by David Thangjam

Aizawl-bred singer-songwriter and producer David Thangjam experiments with synth-vocal lines, guitar strokes and electronic beats on his debut EP, which is certainly a cheesy affair as far as the lyrics go. But sonically, Thangjam seems to have hit upon a dreamy, half-awake hip-hop/pop influenced approach to making music, one that comes through strongest on piano-hook led closing track “Trip.”

“Enthavo” by Job Kurian

A famous name by many measures in Kerala ”“ owing not just to participating in singing competition Super Star, but also providing vocals for film songs ”“ Job Kurian finally gets his own solo work out there. On “Enthavo,” what you hear is Kurian’s impeccably sublime voice over an electronic/pop framework and what you see is a GoPro-shot first-person perspective of Kerala’s beaches, lakes, hills and forests, in its verdant glory. Part of his Hope Project, Kurian is expected to release four more songs with videos.