New Music: From New Delhi Electronica to Shillong New Wave and More

“Shem” by Nion

Shillong duo Nion – comprising vocalist-composer Wanphrang Diengdoh and guitarist-vocalist Hammarsing Kharhmar – started out with their debut EP late last year and they’ve now composed a haunting new Khasi folk-leaning track. Part of the soundtrack for Diengdoh’s mystery film Lorni – The Flaneur, “Shem” features rousing traditional horns meeting Kharhmar’s steely guitar riffs and traditional percussion. Diengdoh sings cryptically about “a history of words,” tying in with the plot of the film, which stars actor Adil Hussain (Life Of Pi, The Reluctant Fundamentalist).

“Na Jaane Main Na Jaane Tu” by Gaurav

Once part of Pune prog/alt rock band Skylight Vision, frontman Gaurav Tophakhane has now turned to his eponymous solo project. His debut single “Na Jaane Main Na Jaane Tu” is a layered, buoyant love song that is breathy, cinematic and moves from gentle folk territory to an upbeat clap-along section and even a guitar solo to close things off. While it’s his debut solo single, it’s fairly apparent that Tophakhane can deliver a crowd-pleasing sound.

“When I Was a Kid” by Goya

New Delhi music producer, composer and studio engineer Abhishek Sekhri has been running his own Kintsugi Studios for a few years now, working with everyone from hip-hop artist RollsRoys to singer-producers such as Komorebi and more. Now, he’s launched his own solo electronic project under the moniker Goya. On his debut single “When I Was a Kid,” Goya starts out with blips and locks into a menacing synth pattern and a dreamy vocal sample, building up to a loud, hypnotic synth lead which can get dancefloors moving.

“Amma” by Kalmi w/Advaitham ft Shyam Sasikumar

On the occasion of Mother’s Day this past weekend, Visakhapatnam-based producer Kalmi aka Kalimireddy Nikhil released a poignant new Tamil song. “Amma,” featuring Mumbai-based producer Advait Mahesh aka Advaitham and Coimbatore singer Shyam Sasikumar. The track brings together the cinematic-electronic signature style of Kalmi, who passes the baton to Advaitham for the second half of the track, bringing in evocative string arrangements as Sasikumar sings about having the most supportive mother.

“Lighthouse” by Priya Ragu

Sri Lankan-origin Swiss singer Priya Ragu landed in Mumbai from Zurich for the music video to her latest song “Lighthouse.” The playful R&B/pop track – produced by her brother, Japhna Gold – focuses on Ragu’s sing-along vocal hooks, impassioned croons for love and a memorable clarinet lead. And then it almost does a complete 180, with the outro featuring a Tamil devotional chant and folk rhythms.