Coming from a city rooted in formal Carnatic concerts and classic rock, Jatayu has carved out this nu-jazz space for themselves. Their songs feel like modern India in motion rooted in something ancient while inviting new sounds, new cultures, new players into the circle. They have performed at major festivals such as Fuji Rock Festival (Japan), Axean Music Festival (Singapore), Wonderfruit (Thailand), Lollapalooza India, and others across Asia and beyond.
It’s Carnatic jazz, so we know the music is going to run on heavy grooves, odd time signatures, and that effortless kind of precision that feels almost otherworldly when you hear it live. Their new EP Jewel Tones takes that same spirit forward. Four tracks reinventing timeless Carnatic compositions through contemporary jazz and rock. It’s complex, yes, but the kind of complex that feels natural in the body and almost spiritual in the mind. In simple words, a proper trip. Keep reading to know what the EP promises.
“The Wick” opens Jewel Tones with a slow, atmospheric pull, like a voice calling from a dimly lit room. The track is actually inspired by true events from their drummer Manukrishna. The chanting gives it a sacred vibe before the guitars step in with a serious, deliberate progression. Halfway through, the whole thing erupts. Heavy riffs, tight rhythms, a surge of energy and that tiny spark has now become a fire. It’s grand without trying too hard, emotional without being dramatic. Seven minutes fly by. As an opener, it sets the tone right or in context of this EP, ignites the journey.
The second song in the EP, “The Triumph” opens with a light, swaying groove which is almost playful. The tabla and guitar pickings bounce off each other like old friends trading inside jokes, and the whole arrangement has this bright, funky ease that makes you want to just lose yourself in the swirl of it. Across seven minutes, the track rises, dips, and rises again, celebrating that moment of breakthrough when everything suddenly clicks. It’s intricate and feels like catching your breath after a burst of joy.
Jatayu’s nu-jazz approach comes into full focus on the third track “The Mirage.” The vocals lean into the idea of desire tangled with doubt, while the rhythm section moves like shifting sand. Complex timestamps, bold vocal play, and that unmistakable Carnatic-jazz language give it a mind-bending quality. The final stretch turns fast, almost transcendental, ending on a surprisingly funky note. It’s the EP’s disappearing act — beautiful, clever, and slightly disorienting in the best way.
The final song “The Resolve” opens as if you’ve just entered an underground jazz club with dim lights, steady pulse and everything intentional. Midway, you’ll hear a burst of distortion, lifted by soft snares that lean into an R&B haze. By the end of it, you’re in a full trance. It’s a calm, assured closing statement for the flame is steady now and the journey is complete.
The band shared that the core intention behind this EP was to honour the tradition they grew up with. These four Carnatic compositions are classics we’ve all heard at some point, and Jatayu wanted to bring them forward for a new generation. The process was as organic as it gets: meet, jam, follow whatever feels true. Someone throws in an idea, someone twists it, and slowly the song reveals itself. Nothing was forced and it gets evident as you listen to it. You can let it run in the background or tune in fully and hit that bliss point. I had several “oh wow” moments myself. Go give it a listen if you need inspiration or just want to listen to something genuinely fresh.
