Six New Releases You Should Check Out

1) “End Creation” by The Minerva Conduct

The Minerva Conduct. Photo by Himanshu Rohilla.

The Mumbai-based instrumental-metal band recently performed the track live, at the Rolling Stone Metal Awards this year. The song is classic Minerva Conduct, with heavy riffs, clean solos by guitarist Prateek Rajagopal and a non-stop double bass attack by drummer Ranbir “Kpr” Kapoor. The song also features some vocals, in the form of spoken-word by Ashwin Shriyan, their bassist.

2) “This Night” by Chayan & Smiti

Chayan & Smiti. Photo: Courtesy of the artist.

Delhi-based singers and musicians, Chayan Adhikari of Delhi-based electro-fusion band Advaita and Smiti Malik of Delhi-based jazz band Kitchensink have been writing music together for years, but only now have decided to record and release it. Their first song “This Night,” features both the musicians singing and harmonizing along with a guitar and some bass and percussion. The song is a fine blend of acoustic, folk and country music and has a melody that stays with you.

3) Obtuse + Divine by Machli

Machli. Photo by Najeeb Khalid.

This Bengaluru outfit is slowly gaining a following for its mellow electronica. Their laidback melodies are led by Sandhya Visvanathan’s sultry vocals and soothing guitarwork by Musharraf Shaikh and Maitreya Mer. The band also features Aniruddh Shivakumar Menon on percussion and samples and recently released their five-track EP titled Obtuse + Divine. The members of the band are also art students at the Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology in Yelahanka and say that it is the atmosphere in their college that keeps them inspired.

4) VitAmin Sex by IJA

IJA. Photo: Courtesy of the artist.

Delhi-based drummer Sahil Mendiratta, who also plays with Delhi’s electronic singer-songwriter Nikhil Kaul aka Frame/Frame, has collaborated with Ashhar Farooqui of Teddy Boy Kill and guitarist Punit Jantu to make trip-hop chill-wave music. Their debut EP VitAmin Sex is based on the forbidden love story of their friend Molly and hill-thug Nunni and has Mendiratta exploring his production and songwriting skills. The tracks feature samples of Bollywood dialogues, deep-synth bass lines and even some rapping by the members. We’d like some of whatever all of them are smoking.

5) “Moral Police” by Tarik

Tarik. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

Continuing to speak their mind through their songs, Shillong punk band Tarik has released a new single titled “Moral Police.” The bilingual song (Khasi+ English) will be a part of their upcoming album, which has been recorded in filmmaker, producer and songwriter Wanphrang Diengdoh’s house. Wanphrang adds, “We tried recording the album in different cities but we were not happy with the sound. We didn’t want our music to sound commercial and we wanted that DIY feel in it. So we decided to make out own studio at my place in Shillong, where we recorded with the help of producer Tirthankar Ray.” The songs talks about the lack of self-expression platforms for the youth in Shillong and has old school bass lines with raw guitars and Freddie Mercury like angsty vocals.

6) “Moby” by Write In Stereo

Write in Stereo. Photo: Courtesy of the artist.

These alt-rock indie Kolkata musicians have been making music together since 2010, initially with their band Turfe, and now as Write in Stereo. The four-member band is heavily inspired by indie/alternative rock bands like UK’s Foals and American band Mutemath. With a steady and chill bass line and delayed guitar tones, their track “Moby” proves that alt-rock music can also be calming, instead of the aggressive, high-octane performances that it is always associated with.