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. Take Me to a Place by Firuzeh
Pune-based singer-songwriter Firuzeh released her latest single Take me to a place. This soothing, ukulele aided track with dreamy vocals has the ability of putting the listener in a tranquil state of mind. The song reflects on self-love and depression during these times and aims to create a safe space to share and grow through these experiences.
2. Lemon Drops by KOYTOYBOY x Landslands
Singer-songwriter and film composer Sohrab Nicholson who goes by the moniker Landslands collaborated with Pune-based multidisciplinary designer KOYTOBOY aka Kunaal Kyhaan Seolekar for their latest single Lemon Drops. With distinct, yet strong artistic backgrounds, both artists come together for this single and music video, giving an aesthetic visual delight to the audience. Not only is this track sonically engaging with groovy synths and some rap sections, but visually appealing, giving a glimpse both artists’ individual style.
3. AQI by naqaab47 x Raj
Delhi-based hip-hop artist naqaab47 collaborated with instrumentalist-producer Raj to release their latest track AQI. Lo-fi beats produced by Raj, naqaab47 sticks to his lyrically heavy song writing with this track where he talks about the ever-increasing air pollution in Delhi. The song talks about the existential dread which manifests within a person living in the world’s most polluted city in the world.
4. Ginti by Raajmusic, Dromme, Mc Kode
Jamshedpur-based rapper Ritik Raj who goes by the alias Raajmusic collaborated with fellow rapper MC Kode for his latest single Ginti. This song narrates their stories of hustle and gradual evolution in the hip-hop universe.
5. Daal Bhaat by Rada x Vedang
Pune-based rapper Rada Vishay collaborated with producer Vedang Deshpande for his latest single Daal Bhaat. This track is a dark humoured satirical song which shows the conditions and lifestyle of a middle-class boy stuck in a routine and feeling trapped with Daal Bhaat as the only way of survival. With a short monologue in Marathi at the start and towards the end of the song along with the video and lyrics sum up the life of a middle class in an apt way possible.
6. Bas Ab Sukoon by ZelliX
Delhi-based singer-songwriter, music producer and DJ Abhishek who goes by the moniker ZelliX released his latest single Bas Ab Sukoon. This song was made with the artist’s Instagram followers where they gave him a few words and he made a song out of them. The light breezy vocals and a pop tune make this song a casual track to listen to while chilling or on a drive.
7. Saare Chann Te Taare by Roop Ghuman
Singer-songwriter, music producer and composer Roop Ghuman collaborate with fellow composers Vibhuti Joshi and Arjit Singh for his latest single Saare Chann Te Taare. This Punjabi song is a celebration of fresh love. With jazz, pop elements and Ghuman’s soulful vocals and heartful composition, sweet romantic lyrics compels one to take a moment and appreciate their life with a loved one.
8. I Deserve Better by Tarini
Chennai-based singer-songwriter Tarini collaborated with Pune-based soul/pop band Easy Wanderlings’ producer Sanyanth Naroth for her debut single I Deserve Better. This indie pop song depicts the internal conflict and pain of choosing between love and self-respect. Tarini’s soulful, yet soaring vocals define the conflict she is talking about in the song with the music reaching various crescendos to suit the tonality of the conflict she wanted to depict.
9. No Stress by YÜSH
Kolkata-based singer-songwriter and rapper Piyush Choubey who goes by the moniker YÜSH released his latest single No Stress. This track is about dealing with cognitive dissonance, internal and external conflicts, finding a purpose of being, and delving into vices when supremely stressed out. With a smart wordplay and catchy beats, this song is enough to grip the listener’s attention till the end.
10. Third Wheel by Aamir Rizvi ft. Oh Arya
Kolkata-based singer-songwriter Aamir Rizvi collaborated with DJ and producer Oh Arya for their latest single Third Wheel. This song is about the artists’ third wheeling experiences. With soft acoustic melodies, laid back vocals and a catchy hook, this song is indeed an anthem to ‘stay home all alone, with a guitar and the television on.’
11. Can’t You See by Emmanuel Beck
Singer-songwriter Emmanuel Beck released his debut single Can’t You See. This song is about a series of emotions he felt during the lockdown last year at one particular moment. The dulcet guitar strumming and Beck’s soothing vocals make this song appear to be like a lullaby which one would listen to, tucked in on a rainy day. However, the smooth, calming guitar solo definitely not only compliments the song but also puts it apart from the usual singer-songwriter genre.
12. Safar by Reeshabh Purohit
Pune-based singer-songwriter Reeshabh Purohit released his latest single Safar. Inspired by the original ghazal by Padmashree Nida Fazli, an Urdu-Hindi poet and writer, Purohit created a melody around it. The song is about embarking upon one’s life’s journey and with all its hues and colours and staying true to your “safar” and moving one step at a time. Purohit’s calming vocals, paired with a simple piano composition and a soulful violin arrangement is enough to leave the listener introspecting about their life.
13.Intellectual by Timeship
Siddhart Pradeep who goes by the alias Timeship released his latest single Intellectual. This song follows the story of an egomaniac who spends all his time talking about himself in a desperate attempt to climb to climb to the top of the social ladder. The song not only is a seamless amalgamation of electronic elements, indie-rock and 80s progressive rock elements but also a prominent bassline to make the listener groove but also witty lyrics to watch out for!
14.Brian O’Conner by Tienas x GHIZ PUR
Mumbai-based hip-hop artist and rapper Tienas collaborated with producer GHIZ PUR for his latest single Brian O’Conner. Tienas is known for bringing forward a Nujabes-inspired sonic aesthetic. He is known for crafting complex narratives which can be seen for this single too.
15. Flora’s Song by Gatha
Dehradun-based singer-songwriter Gatha released her latest single Flora’s Song. This song is about the fleeting feelings of hopelessness and confusion. Gatha’s dreamy soothing vocals and relatable lyrics with a mellifluous composition comprising of a soulful violin arrangement is enough for the listener to resonate with this song on a personal basis. This song is like a conversation with oneself and even if it’s called Flora’s Song, it can be literally anybody’s song if it speaks to them.
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.
