Tejas Opens ‘The Bombay Doors’ with Sonic Complexity and Vibrancy

Four months on since dropping the hopeful “Lead,” the first glimpse into his upcoming full-length second album Outlast, Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Tejas is now out with the record’s next single, the ambitious “The Bombay Doors.”

As someone who grew up in Dubai and has spent time in Pune and Hyderabad, over the last few years the musician has grown to call Mumbai his home. “The Bombay Doors” for all its grit, complexity and vibrancy is the artist’s humble ode to the Maximum City and what it takes to live in it. The track’s high energy, multiple sonic layers and infectious vocal melodies in some way represent the madness that is Mumbai. However, towards the end of the song, the sonic imprint switches to more of a calming electronica listen as Tejas optimistically sings, “Won’t pass the test/won’t let me out/come let me out/give me tomorrow.”

“The Bombay Doors” has been produced by Tejas and his longtime collaborators and bandmates, drummer Jehangir “JJ” Jehangir (of ska outfit The Fanculos) and bassist Adil Kurwa (from rockers The Koniac Net, prog band Letterz and pop-rock group The Colour Compound). Alt-rockers Spud in the Box’s keyboardist Rohan Rajadhyaksha contributed with spitting synth parts while trombone player Ramon Ibrahim, saxophonist Rhys Sebastian and trumpeter James Miranda make up the song’s horn section and artist Mallika Barot sings backing vocals. The track was recorded at Mumbai’s Island City Studios, mixed by Jehangir and given a master from Shawn Hatfield at Audible Oddities.

Illustrator Vibhav Singh – who worked on the artwork for “Lead” – has also provided a striking visual for “The Bombay Doors.” This piece in the storyline features the main character (Tejas) and his accomplices (Jehangir and Kurwa) making their way to a gargantuan city. There’s going to be more singles released leading up to Outlast, which will be dropped sometime next year. On the other hand, Tejas is all set to perform “The Bombay Doors” this Sunday as part of online music festival From The Island.

Hear “The Bombay Doors” below or stream the song on other platforms. Click here to watch Tejas talk about the making of the track.