2020 has been brutal to everyone in the music industry. One thing which kept us all going these past few months, or in fact through this entire year has been music. Despite the fact that the music industry was probably one of the first to shut down, and still not be able to reopen completely, Indian musicians have taken this time to let their creative juices flowing. Every day we see a plethora of new songs being released and we at the Indian Music Diaries are creating our monthly compilation of the latest releases in the music scene.
1. Tornado by Piya Podder
Delhi-based singer-songwriter Piya Podder released her debut single Tornado. This song expresses the struggle behind a mind that doesn’t stop overthinking and worrying. With soaring soundscapes and poignant lyrics, this song almost appears to be like a journey. A self-shot video also supports the meaning behind the song.
2. Interrupt Me by Rounak Maiti
Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rounak Maiti released his latest single Interrupt Me. This track has experimental electronica vibes which make this a different musical path for Maiti. This song is about the dissolving of one’s ego. The intriguing, simple but well directed music video is a must to watch, rather than just listening to the track!
3. Beiraada Nazar by Pranita Nair Pandurangi ft. Kabeer Singh
Mumbai-based singer-songwriter and producer Pranita Nair Pandurangi collaborated with Delhi-based multi-instrumentalist and producer for her latest single Beiraada Nazar. This Urdu shayari is in a traditional ghazal style, with a modern playful twist. With modern electronic piano, tabla, and a catchy groovy hook, this song describes love at first sight.
4. Games by Anisha and SuitStatic
Aneesha Das collaborated with producer SuitStatic for their new single Games. This pop R&B track features laid back beats, sultry vocals, and a playful catchy lead. This track is about the initial exciting feelings of intimacy and flirtation.
5. Pata Nahin by Shivansh Jindal
Delhi-based singer-songwriter Shivansh Jindal released his latest single Pata Nahin which has been produced by Salim Merchant, one half of the renowned musician duo Salim-Sulaiman. Sticking to his usual style, this track has Jindal’s simple yet relatable lyrics, along with a hybrid of an urban and classical sound. With electronic beats and classical elements, this song is set to take one on an introspective journey of what they really want, who they want to be and about their dreams.
6. The Winds of Bihu by Vishrut Pande, Kartikeya Vashist, SMESH
Delhi-based music producer and composer Vishrut Pande collaborated with artists from various backgrounds such as Kartikeya Vashist and SMESH for his debut track The Winds of Bihu. This ambient instrumental track s a fusion of various electronic and western elements along with a mellifluous flute composition, giving it a chill vibe. It is a rendition of an Assamese folk tune.
7. Switch Lanes by Karonik ft. Mohit
Pune-based record producer and artist Karan Adlakha who goes by the moniker Karonik released his latest bi-lingual single Switch Lanes in collaboration with hip-hop artist Mohit. With energetic beats and a catchy hook, this song retains the basic theme of “Change is the only real constant.” This track is about breaking out of your comfort zone and adapting as things around you change.
8. Gentle Scars by GrooveBot feat. Siddharth Basrur
Mumbai-based industrial rock/metal project GrooveBot which is the brainchild of guitarist Chinmay Agharkar released their second single Gentle Scars. Besides thumping drums, distorted guitars, this track also features powerful vocals by Siddharth Basrur. The video supporting the song has an immersive 3D gameplay kind of effect.
9. Oh My Love by Samaksh
Delhi-based singer-songwriter Samaksh Lekhwar released his debut song Oh My Love. With guitar strumming, heartfelt lyrics, this is a perfect mellow song to listen to on a quiet night in. The song is about someone actually wanting his/her lover to come back and not leave their side.
10. Waiting For Someone by ASHWYN & Tyler Simmons
Bangalore-based electronic music producer and classic rock and blues guitarist Ashwin Sriram who goes by the moniker ASHWYN collaborated with Toronto-based singer-songwriter Tyler Simmons for their latest single Waiting For Someone. This emotional blues track has laid back chill vibes with soothing vocals and instrumentation.
11. Road Less Travelled by Tripp Pilots
Five-piece metal band Tripp Pilots released their latest single Road Less Travelled. With rock and metal elements such as thumping drums and distorted guitars, this song is such which would make metal-heads headbang. This song is about embarking on a journey by coming out of your comfort zone and discovering yourself. With things getting back to normalcy, this song is about taking a leap of faith.
12. In my head by Shachi Pathak
Gwalior/Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Shachi Pathak released her latest single In My Head which is also her first English single. This lo-fi pop song has heavy bass, laid back trippy harmonies, ideal for a trippy experience according to Pathak. This song is for everyone who is stuck in a spiral of thoughts, which they know they need to come out of but have found some kind of euphoria in it.
13. tfru by Water and Rum
Mumbai-based duo Water and Rum which consists of Tanya Shah and Ramya Pothuri released their latest single tfru. The B-side release of their last single, the duo claims this song to be a “coming of age” song. With laid back, gentle production, this song has a chill vibe to it. It is actually an attack disguised as a realisation of one’s own self-worth and finally developing a tolerance for people who take people for granted.
14. Song About You by Alan Ebe
Chennai/UAE-based singer-songwriter Alan Ebenezer who goes by Alan Ebe released his latest single Song About You. The songs, though its heartfelt lyrics aims to expose layers of stories that lead up to simple feelings we experience daily. The song pays homage to the little moments in life that are secretly the big ones.
15. Baalam by Ragasuram ft. Pooja Gaitonde & Prasad Gaitonde
Aryaman who goes by the moniker Ragasuram released his latest his single Baalam in collaboration with Pooja Gaitonde and Prasad Gaitonde. This upbeat groovy track is a fusion between electronic music and Indian classical along with dominant tabla arrangement throughout the song, giving it a unique vibe.
With the future of live music still bleak, musicians can definitely use all your support. Stream their music, encourage them, give feedback, support them in any way possible. After all, music is what has helped in getting us through this year full of uncertainties.
