New Music: Psych-Rock from Kolkata’s Easy Riders, Trip-Hop from Tankbund, Kerala Act Postcard17’s Stirring Video and More

Virtual Lives EP by Easy Riders

Kolkata rock quartet Easy Riders are among the latest on the block to imbue new energy into a classic sound on their three-track EP Virtual Lives. Comprising drummer Arka Das, vocalist-guitarist Sumit Bhattacharya, bassist-vocalist Soumyajit Dutta and guitarist Rohan Ganguli, Easy Riders traverse pleasant, wandering psychedelic rock on “Strange Land” and “Sweet Leaf Like Thing” and rely on fuzzy guitar leads to surf through on “Mr Mountain,” all centered around travel and nature.

“Dirty Ways” by Tankbund

It’s been years since we’ve heard from New Delhi act Tankbund and now there’s a new surprise single called “Dirty Ways,” which lives up to their hypnotic trip-hop sound. With vocalists Subhadra Kamath and Smiti Malik adding an understated kind of cynicism in their lyrics, producer Ritwik De goes to town on synth work, with a high-energy movement propelled by drummer Aman Kumar Singh.

“Starting Now” by Postcard17

Kerala indie act Postcard17 find a new way with words and visuals each time they have a release. With “Starting Now,” the wavy, dreamy rock song, there’s a message entwined in philosophy, spirituality and even a bit of entertainment. The music video directed and edited by Kiran Ottur and made by production house The Odyssey Collective is focused around an angel on the verge of giving up, until a woman comes to his rescue, with the odd pair forging a friendship that heals and frees.

“Rulaya Kyun” by Radnyi Tyagraj and Inder D Last Level

Mumbai artist Radnyi Tyagraj teams up with Punjabi rapper Inder D Last Level for “Rulaya Kyun,” which serves as the singer’s way of being openhearted and questioning track addressed to a former flame about why they took her for granted. In the music video shot in Mumbai, Radnyi shrugs off her past relationship and does it over hip-hop and pop informed production, plus a quickfire verse from Inder.

“Hey You” by Axl Stace

DJ-producer Axl Stace conjures a driving, swiveling beat, his techno prowess and emotive lyrics (delivered in a somewhat robotic manner) on his latest single “Hey You.” A clear call for provoking thought through dance music, Axl Stace says proceeds through streaming and song sales will go towards Animal welfare non-profits in Ukraine and Turkey. There’s also a fundraiser show in Mumbai in the works, which will go towards aid required in the aftermath of the Balasore train accident in Odisha in June.

“Dirty Dunes” by Bodmas

Bass music and Rajasthani folk have always found their best fit with the likes of producer Bodmas. His latest single “Dirty Dunes” cements his reputation further. With praise already coming in from the likes of EDM artist Afrojack, the roving track is all about mixing melodic Rajasthani group vocals with high-energy bass music. It booms at times, making it perfect for clubs and each drop changes things up on seismic levels.

“Thedi Thedi” by Rahul Sridhar

In advance of releasing his debut album I, Sai, Chennai-origin multi-instrumentalist Rahul Sridhar’s music video for the Tamil song “Thedi Thedi” is a dive into slickly-produced, philosophical and metaphorical storytelling. Aided by rock, folk and fusion elements, the song is heightened with the music video directed by Manu Hassan, which portrays a journey of forgetting and remembering one’s roots.

“Road to Sangla” by Goya, Mir Kashif Iqbal

New Delhi producer Goya aka Abhishek Sekhri teams up with guitarist-singer Mir Kashif Iqbal for a wholly different kind of ode to traveling and curiosity on “Road to Sangla.” A heavy-footed bassline is juxtaposed with Kashif’s bright guitar melodies, with the song playing out like a jam between synth and guitar. “Road to Sangla” is accompanied by a trippy music video created by artist Ansh Kumar.

“Keh Bhi De” by Gaurav Tophakhane

Pune singer-songwriter Gaurav Tophakhane teams up with producer Prateek Kelkar for “Keh Bhi De,” from his upcoming EP. Over shimmering pop production, Tophakhane presents a simple way with words as he addresses a partner with a few inhibitions but ultimately yearning to stay close and overcome differences.