Many many years ago (trust me, this is not a bedtime story), Sir Edward William Elgar, in a letter to a friend wrote, “My idea is that there is music in the air, music all around us; the world is full of it, and you simply take as much as you require”. This, to me, is one of the realest set of words spoken when it comes to describing the simple joy of living in a world where music exists too. And I had a similar feeling when I started listening to the album Modern Naga by Nagaland-based bandThe Gluttones.
The 8-track album kicks off with For You and I was pretty elated right from the moment it started playing. The track is pure synth-pop, instantly hitting a sweet spot for me since I’ve always had a soft corner for all things retro-futuristic. Delivering a gorgeous mix of nostalgia and modernity, the track immediately reminded me of Sun City—listening to them for the first time was such a splendid moment too. The production is crisp, dropping you straight into a neon-coloured dream where the notes hit immediately. It sets the bar high, giving listeners a big slice of bliss.
Next up is Up All Night, which serves as a major emotional anchor for Modern Naga and has quickly become the most popular track on the album. Heavily synth-based and featuring the Mizoram-based artist H.O.M, this track represents a really fantastic cross-state collaboration that elevates the region’s interconnected independent scene. It’s a relatable, romantic number about staying up all night replaying memories, a feeling the band even brought to life visually with a music video. What makes it stand out is its casual, bilingual songwriting, which balances the indie-pop vibe with a natural linguistic switch. As the band shares, “Switching between languages is normal for many Nagas today, so incorporating that into our music felt authentic rather than intentional,” it beautifully captures the universal experience of being young and falling in love without any bounds.
As you listen serially, the record dips into a cluster of tracks driven by a very distinct, youthful energy. Toxic Anxiety and Tatembang keep the momentum going with a vibrant vibe, as the latter brings its own bilingual flavour to the table. Both songs make for a genuinely fun listen, proving a major plus point of the album: every track manages to hold its own unique character rather than blending into a monotonous background hum.
The sonic palette shifts beautifully with Make You Mine, a track that brings soul to the tracklist, elevated by a stellar feature from Akhrieze. It slows things down just enough to appreciate the band’s range before transitioning into Something, another track bursting with that same distinct, youth-filled energy that keeps the album’s vibrant pulse alive. From there, it moves into It All Matters, a slow pop number that allows the production to breathe in a new space. The band states that they aimed for a sound that balances energy and emotion while preserving the essence of a live band and they have been successful in delivering the same.
The ultimate payoff comes at the very end with the title track, Modern Naga, featuring Vivi Yepthomi, completely resonating with the classic saying “all’s well that ends well.” It closes the album on a high note, packed with a bilingual delivery and an undeniable youthful spirit, anchored by empowering lyrics like “Love yourself, believe in yourself. Go on and take what’s yours. You’re gonna be just fine.” Instead of lazily throwing in traditional instruments just to check a box of promoting the culture of Nagaland, the band weaves cultural themes directly into a contemporary indie-pop frame.
When asked about what makes The Gluttones’ take on the “Modern Naga” experience unique and how that vision is reflected throughout the album, the band explains, “Our interpretation of the ‘Modern Naga’ experience comes from lived experience. We’ve grown up deeply rooted in our culture while also being exposed to global influences through music, the internet, and travel. We don’t see these as opposing worlds; we see them as parts of the same identity.” Ultimately, Modern Naga succeeds in giving a good time to the listener because it is filled with honest, youthful energy, sounding exactly like a band comfortably telling their own stories on their own terms.
If you are a fan of the musical styles of The 1975, NIGHT TRAVELER, or LANY, this whole album is going to be a delight for you, as similar signature sonic textures run beautifully across the entire tracklist. More than anything, Modern Naga is a fun listen. It captures a vibrant, youthful spirit that is deeply relatable, serving as the perfect soundtrack for anyone experiencing the highs and lows of growing up while trying to stay true to who they are.
