#ReviewRundown: September and October 2023

KING – New Life

★★★★

Among the most anticipated albums of the year, hip-hop/pop artist KING doesn’t miss on his latest album New Life. The artistry on the album, produced by the likes of David Arkwright, Karan Kanchan and Section 8, demonstrably reflects the massive impact hip-hop has had on pop music and how accessible it’s become. Songs like “Aafat” and the Kendrick Lamar-esque “Crown” ft Natania are party-starters, while the pacey, house-informed cut “Runaway” ft Julia Michaels has depth. In a bid to follow-up songs like “Maan Meri Jaan” off Champagne Talks, he’s included “Tu Jaana Na Piya,” “Tum Saath Rehnaa” and “Sarkaare” to tap into radio-friendly pop. Where he really levels up are on hard-hitting and arena-ready songs like “We Are The Ones” ft Gucci Mane and “High Hukku” with Nikhita Gandhi, making New Life live up to the hype.

Aditya Prakash – Isolashun

★★★½

Chennai artist Aditya Prakash checks his privilege on his latest album Isolashun, which also proves that the world can (and should) accept albums that are born out of the uncomfortable truths that came to the surface during the Covid-19 pandemic’s peak periods. The title track is haunting and immediately reels you in, while “Insirgents” and “3AM” get even more experimental in its unconventional use of layers, loops and Carnatic vocals. While “Maya” is in a calmer strain, “XenoF.O.B.” is hair-raising in its intent. A 12-and-a-half minute odyssey that feels like a cathartic, cinematic journey, Prakash is at his most visceral and powerful, making Isolashun a must-hear album.

Anmol Jaswal – Dhun

★★★½

After about 10 years of honing his craft, Jammu-origin singer-producer and lyricist Anmol Jaswal puts his skills to the test on his new EP Dhun. It goes over smooth Punjabi pop, hip-hop and R&B production flourishes, so it helps that there’s a fusion to boost his ambitions. “Jugnu” is that straightforward yet sublime opening effort that makes a great first impression, while “Ghar Aaja” and “Das Ve” are transportive in the way that it tells you different stories about love and heartbreak. Jaswal professes everlasting love on “Tere Qisse” over slinky guitar lines and a vocal sample for a hook that sticks, and waxes eloquent on “Bathera.” With his voice at the center, Jaswal makes Dhun count where it matters – singing from the heart.

Hridayam – Aarambh

★★★

Pune rock duo Hridayam take a crack at writing heartfelt Hindi love ballads on their new EP Aarambh. Singer-songwriter Aishwarya Tiwari and drummer Shubham Chand Sahu probably speak from experience when it comes to these five Hindi songs on the EP. “O Bandeya” leads with a tone of empowerment, while “Jo Tera Hai” builds like a typically starry rock ballad. “Phir Ek Dafa” has a bit of prog energy that steers the EP’s overall sonic mood into an exciting direction, making it the strongest song on the EP, while “Aaina” and “O Humnawa” build on that and keeps things in a pop vein with its vocal melodies.

TntBeatz – Lucy

★★★½

By his own admission at the start of his EP Lucy, New Delhi producer TntBeatz has always wanted to put out a work he can call his own after working with artists across the board, including The Siege. Lucy hits the spot when it comes to a producer-led EP that has the right selection of rappers, from BISON and Krrway on the tumultuous “Summoning” to the loud and proud “Aar Paar” with PST, Aryxn and Scoolboypax. “Main Aur Mera” brings in the sadboy hours, and there’s more reflection on the shapeshifting “Maahi.” TntBeatz stays explorative, like on the minimal “Darmiyaan” and “Cashflow” bringing in Proakshat, Priyam and Tjointt for a Travis Scott-informed bop that caps off a confident EP.

Nok Nok – NVRSTP

★★★★

New Delhi trio Nok Nok have slowly and steadily built up to releasing their EP NVRSTP, which came out in August. Vocalist-guitarist Sumant Balakrishnan, bassist Amar Pandey and drummer Nikhil Vasudevan keep things as fluid and sublime as ever on the five-track release, which is produced with an assist from Ritwik De. “Disinformation” heaps on crunchy riffs that can keep anyone’s head nodding in agreement and “Worth Your While” doubles down on psychedelic blues solos. Nok Nok prove they’re one of the loudest sounding trios out there, with power-packed songs like “One True Friend” and the jam-driven, funky, math-rock title track that, even at six and a half minutes, you wish never ended.