Exclusive Stream: Tejas’ ‘Museum’ EP Delivers Shimmering Pop

Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Tejas’ new EP Museum takes a time-warping dive into fantastical stories inspired by works like Hamlet and The Lion King while also reflecting on life after the passing of his father. Hear the EP exclusively a day ahead of its release below.

Tejas, who has been releasing singles like “Some Kind of Nothing” since his 2021 album Outlast and also sang for The Archies film with songs like “Sunoh,” introduces a new sonic direction on the four-track Museum EP, which starts with “Exspiravit In Machina” that includes a voice sample of his father, who passed away in 2021. Sarangi artist Vanraj Shastri shines as Tejas introduces more classical elements, including a smattering of Hindustani vocals on the title track and the bulbul tarang as well.

Tejas says the inclusion of the sarangi came from knowing it was a “beautifully haunting instrument.” He adds, “There’s something very royal and beautiful about it on a sonic level and I’ve always admired it from when I was a kid to even hearing it on contemporary albums and even [New Delhi fusion band] Advaita’s records. When I was looking to do something darker on the record which became ‘The Clock’ I knew this was the right instrument for it.”

With songs like “The Clock” and “Read Your Mind,” familiar elements include Tejas’ proclivity for funky, groovy and shimmering pop, now infused with regal synths and more. Produced by Tejas, Jehangir Jehangir, and Adil Kurwa, Museum also draws from the Beatles – not just in the way that the artist has always leaned on. Tejas worked on The Beatles and India documentary film soundtrack, which came out in 2021 and says it was a “re-education and return to my roots” after a promo tour in Spain. He adds, “There’s a reference to ‘The End’ and definitely an influence from ‘The Inner Light’ on this EP.”

Although only comprising four songs, Tejas notes that it may be the “first in a few editions of this phase of my career.” The singer-songwriter says, “I am trying to challenge myself artistically and specifically for this project, question and engage deeper with my own family and identity and see where those answers lead me.”

With the sarangi now in the mix, there’s a chance of it finding space at his live shows, even if it’s just a “special set at some point once the full record is out.” The goal is that his shows become a “deeper experience” for listeners, whether through the music, the storytelling or the visuals. Museum EP has artwork designed by filmmaker, animator and visual artist Nisha Vasudevan.

To promote the EP, Tejas says a small run of shows is coming up, including a special session at The Apple Store in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai in May. Museum has a lush sound that’s further propelled by being specially mixed for Dolby Atmos. “We will be doing some more visualizer/lyric content before we plan for more post monsoons,” Tejas adds.

Pre-save Tejas’ Museum EP on streaming platforms.