New Music: Bengali Metalcore, Alt-Rock from New Delhi, Punjabi Folk-Pop and More

“Obyakto” by Radionuclides and Pritam Adhikary

Kolkata metallers Radionuclides’ latest single “Obyakto” packs just the punch we’ve been waiting for from the city’s modern heavy music space. Rattling breakdowns, intensely spiraling riffs and a vocal combination of the band’s Akash Bhattacharya with Siliguri-origin Pritam Adhikary Goswami makes for a towering return for Radionuclides on the studio material front.

The Story of Jonah Stone by Mocaine

While New Delhi act Mocaine may have given an indication with their album The Birth of Billy Munro that they would move into a different sonic space, we didn’t expect the follow-up album The Story of Jonah Stone to start off in the heavy-rock way that it does, with “Wicked” and “Youth.” Sure, to suit the storyline (there’s another novella penned by Mocaine’s Amrit Mohan, just like Billy Munro) the album does mellow and heighten the emotional quotient much more, with songs like “Arizona,” “Fuck You, Goodbye” and “Edna’s Song.”

“You Filled In The Blanks” by Lefright

Describing themselves as a progressive pop duo, Assam’s Lefright comprises vocalist-composer Prachurjya Goswami aka Suraj and pianist-producer and composer Pran Sarmah, who serve up a piano ballad with “You Filled In The Blanks.” It has all the makings of a typical song you set your lighters up to, complete with a hushed outro by Suraj, who’s also vocalist for metal bands like Rage and Infinite Decibels.

“Salvation” by SystemHouse33

Mumbai metallers SystemHouse33’s single and music video for “Salvation” sees them try their hand at a narrative visual in a rare outing. Taken from the album of the same name, the title track and its music video pumps in the intensity with wiry solos and frontman Samron Jude’s impassioned growls. The music video, for its part, revolves around a story of a young boy (who is later revealed to be Samron) who is faced with trauma and life-changing decisions.

“Maekhana” by Roop Ghuman

Ever the experimentalist with his sound, Punjabi artist Roop Ghuman turns up with upbeat pop on his new song “Maekhana.” Punctuated by his distinctively sublime and heartfelt vocal style, there’s a certain Nineties pop and early 2000s hip-hop production injected into the mix, courtesy of Ghuman and producer Agaazz, including turntable scratches. The music video – directed by Piyush Singla & Angad Singh – also sees Ghuman play a protagonist on a mission in a high-octane thriller of a plot.

“Dhaaga” by Bombay Bandook

Mumbai act Bombay Bandook traverse a tender path on their lightheaded track “Dhaaga,” which strengthens their amalgam of Indian classical and jazz elements. Where they’ve dived into prog, rock and pop waters before, “Dhaaga” clearly remains more measured, with gentle vocals and a balance between Indian and Western elements that somehow keeps both sides subtle and clever.