The Best Indian Indie Songs of 2023 So Far

Long Distances — “Lovesong for an Apocalpyse”  

Mumbai indie-rock outfit Long Distances – comprising vocalist Aarifah Rebello, guitarist-producer Apurv Agrawal and guitarist-producer Zubin Pastakia – released their sophomore single in the shape of the journeying “Lovesong for an Apocalypse.” It has catchy vocals, a groovy bass line, hooky guitar parts and more, and is off the band’s upcoming debut EP How the Mighty Will Fall. The group also tapped seasoned Mumbai drummer Jai Row Kavi to sit behind the kit for the track, and even worked with bassist-producer Krishna Jhaveri as well as producer Sandunes who provided additional synths to the song. – D.B. 

Dot. — “Indigo”  

New Delhi-bred and Bengaluru-based singer-songwriter Aditi Saigal aka Dot. released a fresh single earlier this year, the easy-going pop-folk song “Indigo.” The fabulously written track includes slick production, quirky lyrics, Dot.’s breezy and smooth vocal delivery and more. – D.B. 

Yungsta x Sez On The Beat — “Ruhbaru”  

New Delhi hip-hop artist Yungsta tells his story in a whole new way on “Ruhbaru,” the lead single and opening song off his album MEEN, produced by Sez on the Beat. The confessional tone is sharp and delivered with a conviction that says he wouldn’t change a thing about his journey so far and it’s capped off by a starry guitar solo. – A.T. 

Tejas — “Some Kind of Nothing”  

With “Some Kind Of Nothing,” Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Tejas delves deeper into the pop realm with bubblegum soundscapes, upbeat and catchy melodies, slick production, honeyed vocals, harmonies and more. The track also features Tejas’ longtime bandmates, drummer Jehangir Jehangir and bassist Adil Kurwa. – D.B. 

Raftaar x Prabh Deep — “TRAP PRAA” 

One of the best surprises in Indian hip-hop came with the announcement and drop of Raftaar and Prabh Deep’s collaborative EP PRAA. Across four tracks, one of the most shape-shifting Punjabi artists of our times and a rap frontrunner like Raftaar ran riot without a care for boundaries. The song “TRAP PRAA,” however, encapsulates just the kind of sparks that fly on a powerful collaboration like this. – A.T. 

Hanumankind ft. Parimal Shais — “Go To Sleep”  

Rapper Hanumankind and producer Parimal Shais joined forces on the explosive “Go To Sleep.” The track includes a dancey yet in-your-face beat influenced by South Indian soundscapes while Hanumankind delivers hard-hitting rhymes about wrestler Jeff Hardy, Fight Club and more. – D.B. 

Irfana — “Sheila Silk” 

Kodaikanal-bred rapper Irfana’s first release via Def Jam India is the hypnotic “Sheila Silk.” The track includes a gritty beat while Irfana’s flow and rhymes stand out. The song is also a tribute to South Indian film icon Silk Smitha and appropriately brings out dominating bars from Irfana. – D.B. 

The Lightyears Explode — “Pills”  

Mumbai pop/punk band The Lightyears Explode began teasing their sophomore full-length album Suburban Prose earlier this year with the record’s lead single, the jittery and explosive “Pills.” The Lightyears Explode interject the song with distorted guitars, steely vocals, blitzing basslines and a high-octane chorus with jumpy drums that are a nod to their punk roots. – D.B. 

Donn Bhat, Sakur Khan Sufi — “Swali Hu”  

Nearly seven years after the release of the future-classic record Connected, Donn Bhat comes back just as evocative with the mystical and philosophizing vocals of Sakur Khan Sufi on “Swali Hu.” Bhat always knows his way around making an entrancing beat, but this time, he also brings in Rajasthani folk elements alongside wiry guitar melodies that are seemingly informed by African desert blues. – A.T. 

Bhayanak Maut — “Just a Metal Kid”  

Mumbai metallers Bhayanak Maut reference some of India’s best-known metal outfits such as Demonic Resurrection, Scribe, Undying Inc, Inner Sanctum, Skyharbor and Providence on their scorching track “Just a Metal Kid.” The song includes blistering guitars, pulsating drums, growls as well as rock band Indus Creed‘s frontman Uday Benegal singing a hooky vocal refrain. – D.B. 

Kamakshi Khanna — “Breathe”  

New Delhi-bred and Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Kamakshi Khanna kicked off the year with a resounding new single, the ukulele-aided “Breathe.” Apart from Khanna’s emotive vocals, the song also includes a string arrangement, heart-thumping drums and a crisp bass groove. – D.B. 

Aditi Ramesh — “Filter Coffee”  

Bengaluru-based singer-songwriter Aditi Ramesh’s first release in two years came neatly wrapped in soul, R&B and pop with the caffeinated “Filter Coffee.” The song includes the artist’s witty lyricism, her mellifluous vocals as well as slick synths that drive the track. – D.B. 

Gauley Bhai — “Aunty Ko Tato Bagaicha”  

The exploitation of natural resources in the name of development can have far-reaching effects and Bengaluru-based, Kalimpong/Kozhikode-bred band Gauley Bhai shine a spotlight on the psychological toll that ecological problems can bring on “Aunty Ko Tato Bagaicha.” It’s metaphorized storytelling set to frantic, jazz-informed rhythms and unshakeable grooves that the band has championed since their 2019 album Joro. – A.T. 

Dhanji, Neil Ck, Circle Tone — “Thaltej Blues”  

There’s something wholly challenging about listening to “Thaltej Blues,” in a good way. Where other hip-hop artists in the country are staying within their lane, Ahmedabad’s Dhanji is all about pushing in all directions. “2023 much more bayiyayiyounce,” he declares on the song that’s playful, raucous and centered around ideas of home and personal growth. – A.T. 

Tech Panda x Kenzani, Rusha & Blizza — “Dilbar”  

Both producer duos Tech Panda x Kenzani and Rusha & Blizza have spent years chipping away at perfecting the present-day “Indian electronic” sound so it was no surprise that when they teamed up for “Dilbar,” it was going to be a banger. The track takes a vocal hook, samples it and drops it into several different treatments in less than three minutes, making for a journeying dancefloor hit. – A.T.