A Personal Journey Told Through Letters
Debut albums often serve as an artist’s grand introduction, but Ekum’s first full-length project, Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe, feels more like an open diary. The album is framed as an epistolary piece, essentially a collection of musical letters and confessions. Ekum (with producer Reshabh Chhabra as a key collaborator) pours his life story into these songs, addressing himself, past friends, lost love, family, and even listeners who don’t know him.
Inspiration and Evolution of the Project
The spark for Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe came from Ekum’s own life experiences. “I’ve been through a lot of layers of life experiences and I try to pen them down via my writing and music,” he says, describing the album’s genesis. Initially, he planned a small conceptual EP of 3-4 songs, letters he wanted to write to himself and certain people from his past. “Originally, I wanted to create a conceptual project, an EP of just 3-4 songs… a collection of letters I wanted to write to myself and certain people of my past,” Ekum explains. However, once he started the writing process, the vision expanded. “I realized that a small project would not do my life story justice, so I just let my flow state kick in,” he says, and the music kept pouring out. With Reshabh Chhabra’s production guiding the sound, those initial letters evolved into a full-fledged album. After countless studio sessions with Reshabh helping visualize the project as a whole, the result is Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe, what Ekum calls “an epistolary piece, letters and confessions I have made for myself, for people of my past, for my love, for my family, and for the people who don’t know me.”
Creative Process and a Heartbreaking Detour
For the most part, the creative process behind the album was smooth and organic. Ekum arrived at the studio with many compositions and lyrics already fleshed out back in February/March of this year, making the song-making sessions efficient and on point. But life threw an unexpected tragedy into the mix: “In April, my father passed away,” he reveals. This heartbreaking loss delayed the project and forced Ekum to step back and recalibrate. “That led the creative process to slow down, and I had to go back to the drawing board for the album,” he says. In the end, this detour profoundly shaped the record’s direction, in his words, “This shaped it to be better, to be very honest.”
Throughout Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe, Ekum strives to capture reality and truth in a way that listeners can feel in their gut. “I wanted to capture the essence of reality, of truth, of relatability,” he emphasizes when describing the album’s emotional core. This is not an abstract or fictional concept album, it’s grounded in everyday experiences and honest feelings. Importantly, he keeps the storytelling accessible: “I wanted to keep everything simple, not complex or far-fetched from what was actually my story.” That simplicity gives the album a relatable, everyman charm, whether he’s reflecting on family, lost love, or personal growth, you never feel like he’s putting on a persona.
Collaborations and Diverse Soundscapes
Considering the intensely personal nature of the album, one might expect minimal outside involvement, but Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe smartly employs collaborations to add different perspectives and sonic flavors. “Each collaboration on this album brings such a different vibe and flavor to it,” Ekum notes, and this becomes evident as the tracklist unfolds. The opening track “Khudse Hi” features singers Sahaj and Mahika, whose soulful vocals and lyrics make for what Ekum calls “the perfect intro song.” Their contribution sets a reflective, melodic tone; he’s even confessed, “I can’t stop listening to ‘Khudse Hi’ every day on loop.”
On “Woe,” a mid-album highlight, rapper AMR8 drops a cool guest verse, “AMR8 brought the vibes,” according to Ekum, complementing Ekum’s style with a more laid-back flow that enriches the song’s mood. Khushi Kaushik appears on the standout track “Tu Hi Tu,” her graceful vocals interweaving with Ekum’s to elevate the song’s emotional and musical maturity.
Then there’s “Andhera,” which boasts a fiery feature from rapper Bellicose. Ekum is especially excited about this one: “Bellicose’s verse on ‘Andhera’ is the hardest and the realest thing that has been said concerning today’s society,” he proclaims. Indeed, Bellicose’s gritty social commentary on that track sharply contrasts with the album’s introspective moments, bringing an outer-world dimension to the record. Throughout these collaborations, producer Reshabh Chhabra adapts the sonic palette, tweaking beats and instrumentation as new voices come in, so that each feature feels organic to the album’s flow. Ekum also acknowledges that having these talented guests pushed him to up his own game: “These features made me bring out the best in my parts too,” he says. The result is an album that, despite being rooted in one man’s story, never grows monotonous; each collab adds a new color without diluting the personal narrative.
“Tu Hi Tu,” arguably the sonic high point of the album’s first half. This fifth track ups the energy with a fast-paced beat and an intricate arrangement, you’ll catch flute melodies dancing between synth lines and an almost electric, retro Bollywood undercurrent. Khushi Kaushik’s vocals soar here, adding a layer of elegance and maturity to the track. The production is bold, even a bit rough around the edges in the mix, but that rugged quality actually fits the song’s passionate delivery. “Tu Hi Tu” feels like a heartfelt duet dropped into a club, a fusion of traditional and modern that’s both catchy and emotionally resonant.
Conclusion: Growth, Takeaways, and the Road Ahead
As Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe draws to a close, one thing is clear: Ekum has arrived, and he’s arrived with purpose. In his own estimation, “this project, my debut album, is genuinely my best work yet.” After listening, it’s hard to disagree. The growth from his earlier releases is evident in everything from the heavier lyrics to the more polished (yet adventurous) compositions. “If I compare myself right now to 2024 Ekum, I can confidently say there has been an evident shift in my music,” he reflects. The album’s improved soundscape and songwriting depth owe a lot to the synergy with producer Reshabh Chhabra, as well as some honest feedback from Ekum’s inner circle. He credits Reshabh’s guidance and “reality checks from my family and friends” for pushing him to new heights, and you can hear that elevated ambition throughout the record.
On the whole, Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe is a compelling alt hip-hop album that succeeds by staying true to its creator’s reality. Its minor flaws, a slightly uneven flow here, a rough mix there, maybe a track that could’ve hit harder, are ultimately overshadowed by its authenticity and inventiveness. Ekum set out to tell his story without pretension, and in doing so he’s crafted music that feels meaningful.
In many ways, Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe is just the beginning: “This album is just the start of the bigger picture… I hope to channel this growth into better music and bigger projects,” Ekum declares. With the confidence earned from this deeply personal debut, he makes a bold promise: “EKUM has arrived. I am here to stay, and takeover… I will prove myself and bring my story and my writings the justice they deserve.” After experiencing the sincerity and creativity on display in Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe, one can’t help but believe him. This is an artist on the rise, armed with the lessons of life and a clear vision of where he wants to go, and we’ll be more than willing to hear the next chapter of his story.
