New Music: The Revisit Project’s Groovy Tribute, Meewakching’s Indie, Sinister Pop from Nikitaa

“Narazi” by Taaruk Raina 

Singer-composer Taaruk Raina has been known to some for his role in romantic shows like Mismatched, but there’s more to him. His latest single “Narazi” – co-composed and co-written with Charan Singh Pathania, who also produced it – takes the lush pop route as it addresses a past relationship. Aided by a music video starring Raina and actor Tanya Maniktala as they revisit the difficult and blissful parts of their time together, filmmaker Rahul Singh Datta (from Starving Artist Films) elevates “Narazi” with visual metaphors of journeying and reconciliation. 

“Scheming” by Nikitaa

Singer-songwriter and producer Nikitaa brings out a menacing R&B and pop side to her with her latest English song “Scheming.” Often labeling her music as “goddess pop,” this dark tune was inspired by a TikTok video of a girl calling out her cheating boyfriend. With a few eerie samples in the mix, “Scheming” boldly flips Nikitaa’s goddess motifs with the hook, “She may be a goddess, but I’m a demon.” 

“Critique Me” by Trichia Grace-Ann

Equal parts dark-comedy, confrontational and introspective, Mumbai singer, rapper and songwriter Trichia Grace-Ann’s new song “Critique Me” is all about having no regrets for being who she is to get to where she’s at as one of the most resolute MCs in the country. Unapologetic and playful while she’s at it, the artist goes all-out on a beat by producer Xtacy. Trichia posted the video with a note hinting that “this may be the last of rap that I put out,” which leaves us all wondering what’s next. 

“Tum Na Ho” by Gaurav Tophakhane

Ahead of releasing his debut EP in March, Pune singer-songwriter Gaurav Tophakhane brings a familiar warmth with his Hindi song “Tum Na Ho.” Built up by keys, guitar and electronic production, it’s a sign that Tophakhane continues to step further out from his outpost as a typical singer-songwriter, exploring more sonically while keeping the lyrics largely relatable in matters of love. 

“Herbs” by The Revisit Project

New Delhi’s jazz/funk fusion band The Revisit Project was started as a tribute act, so it’s no surprise they still keep that side of the act going, but not in the way they play cover songs. Their latest single “Herbs” is a tribute to jazz and groove pioneer Herbie Hancock, with the artwork indicating just how many other artists owe their love for jazz to the celebrated American artist, from Snarky Puppy to Anderson .Paak. The Revisit Project, for their part, serve up funky keyboard sections, jazz rhythms with bandleader Abhay Sharma’s saxophone leading it all. 

“Shall We Go Somewhere Else?” by Meewakching

The shiny, wavy indie rock of Manipur act Meewakching is very much popping up on radars everywhere, with their English/Manipuri song “Shall We Go Somewhere Else?” bringing together everything from dreamy sections to pacey rhythms. The band’s bilingual track is charming and openhearted when it comes to talking about commitment, which makes it instantly affable. 

“IDRC” by Koustuv Ghosh 

Mumbai-based pop artist Koustuv Ghosh hits the road in the video for his song “IDRC.” While that stands for “I don’t really care,” Ghosh only retains that hook in English in a predominantly Hindi song about brushing off the naysayers as he forges his own path. While driving bikes across the city, Ghosh sings in a style that he’s dived into with songs like “Playing Games” and “MAD,” reminiscent of American R&B/pop artists like Chris Brown. 

“Ghanta (So Much BS)” by Vineet

New Delhi artist Vineet Singh Hukmani takes on quick hustles and grifters on his latest single “Ghanta (So Much BS),” keeping up with his genre-hopping catalog. With the Hindi word as a hook, Vineet takes on hip-hop and Punjabi pop production, singing about all the bullshit he’s encountered in the entertainment business as both, an executive and now as an artist. The video piles on the humor element, with a cutout of Vineet’s head over comic choreography animated in a seemingly self-deprecative manner.

“Watermelon” by Cherry & Cream

Ahmedabad-based producer Raag Sethi teams up with his studio Compass Box Music’s regular collaborator and guitarist Dwit Hathi (now based in Toronto) to form a new jazz duo called Cherry & Cream. Their first single is the instrumental, mostly acoustic guitar-driven playful jazz tune “Watermelon.” As the name would suggest, “Watermelon” – recorded in one take – has a suitably cooling and calming effect, with tasteful jazz melodies and solo work from both Sethi and Hathi helming guitars. 

“Ye Sama (Keepsake)” by Muzaffer

A straight-up “lovey-dovey” song by the artist’s own admission, singer-songwriter Muzaffer Ali (who goes by his first name) wrote “Ye Sama (Keepsake)” about five years ago and it now finds its place as his fourth solo release. Complemented by a music video shot by photographer and filmmaker Maan Boruah, “Ye Sama” makes for an affectionate love song, which won’t be in short supply this month, given that Valentine’s Day is just coming up.