In an era of thumping trap drops and high-octane producer albums, YKSDOG has taken a refreshing detour with his debut EP Boys Don’t Cry. This five-track project is a gentle love letter to his roots and a showcase of heartfelt storytelling through sound. The New Delhi-based producer (by day a tech professional in Noida, by night a passionate beat-maker) brings an easygoing conversational charm to his music that makes the EP feel intimate and relatable. Listening to Boys Don’t Cry feels like catching up with an old friend about life, love, and everything in between; breezy, honest, and elegant in its simplicity.
From Bedroom Beginnings to Debut EP
YKSDOG’s artistic journey began humbly, mixing tracks on Virtual DJ as a teenager and marveling at how two songs could blend into one. Five years ago, he started making his own music in earnest, first on an iPad, recreating favorites like Roddy Ricch’s “The Box” by ear, and later on a second-hand gaming laptop where he taught himself production with free software (LMMS) and online tutorials. He eventually upgraded to professional tools, and his DIY ethic shows: YKSDOG is largely self-taught, fueled by curiosity and a genuine love for music. His background, balancing a 9-to-5 job while crafting beats at night, has instilled a grounded work ethic in him. “Everyone has a monotonous job… that monotony helps me be creative at night when I sit in front of my computer,” he muses. Ironically, he finds that having a day job takes the pressure off his art: “When I come home and make a song, I don’t have to think about how to earn money from it.” This freedom translates into music made for the pure joy of creation, rather than chasing trends or virality.
Concept and Influences
Originally, YKSDOG imagined his debut project as a collection of hard-hitting bangers but Boys Don’t Cry evolved into something more personal. At its core, the EP became a tribute to his late grandmother, Saroj, and the rich Punjabi musical heritage she passed down. The title itself, Boys Don’t Cry, hints at an emotional depth and perhaps a bit of irony: it suggests a challenge to the old adage that men must suppress emotion. In these tracks, YKSDOG unabashedly wears his heart on his sleeve, exploring love, longing, and nostalgia.
The EP’s cover art even holds a piece of his family history. Instead of a heart, it features a lotus flower, a nod to his grandmother’s name (Saroj means “lotus”). “My grandmother was from Punjab,” YKSDOG explains, “and I wanted to bring the Punjabi folk vibe into these songs.” Indeed, Boys Don’t Cry is peppered with folk instruments and motifs from Punjab. You’ll hear the warm, earthy tones of tabla drums anchoring modern beats, the twang of traditional strings like sitar, and even lyrical phrases in Punjabi/Hindi that add a layer of cultural texture. This fusion isn’t slapped on as a gimmick; it’s woven lovingly into the fabric of the music.
Growing up in a Punjabi household in Delhi (after the family relocated from Peshawar post-Partition), YKSDOG was surrounded by the music of legends like Punjabi MC, Dr. Zeus, and Jazzy B. The EP reflects that upbringing, it’s modern music with an old soul. Each song on Boys Don’t Cry sounds contemporary and vibey, yet there’s an unmistakable echo of folk melodies and classic Punjabi pop, almost like the past and present dancing together. YKSDOG calls the record “a love letter to the music I have always loved”, and you can feel that sincerity in every track.
Track Highlights
While Boys Don’t Cry flows as a cohesive experience, each track has its own flavor and story. YKSDOG acts as the curator and producer, enlisting a close-knit circle of collaborators on vocals and co-writing. The result is a project that’s diverse in sound but unified by a mellow, heartfelt mood. Here are some highlights from the EP’s five songs:
The opener sets the tone with soft, flowery vocals (courtesy of featured artists Shy Wry and Akarsh) and a graceful blend of tabla rhythms with modern electronic beats. As the name suggests, “Devdas” draws inspiration from the archetypal lovelorn character of Indian lore. The song’s refrain “tujhko dhoonde bas woh” wafts through the mix, immediately tugging at the heart. It’s a beautiful start that feels like monsoon rain on parched soil, instantly cooling and refreshing the listener’s mood.
“Breezy Luv”, true to its title, this track is light and fun, carrying a summery breeze in its melody. YKSDOG teams up with Raztaan and Sharannn on this hip-hop-inflected jam. Bouncy 808 bass and a crisp drum groove give it a modern R&B/hip-hop fusion feel, but the song never loses its easygoing charm.
“Pink”, arguably the EP’s most cinematic moment, “Pink” was born from a one-night writing session and carries a wistful narrative weight. Featuring collaborator Pahaad on vocals, the song tells the story of two people in love who cannot be together. There’s a dreamy, vintage swing to “Pink” one can sense a bit of Peter Cat Recording Co. influence in its swirling old-school atmosphere. A deep, gravitas-laden voice sings over waltzing chords and a downtempo beat, giving the track an almost classic Bollywood romance vibe.
“Qalb” titled after the Arabic/Urdu word for “heart,” Qalb lives up to its name by delving into matters of the heart with a gentle poignancy. On this track, YKSDOG reunites with Raztaan and features vocalist Rachit, creating a collaboration that balances a silky melody with introspective verses. The production on “Qalb” is minimalistic yet atmospheric, with a laid-back beat, mellow synth pads, and perhaps a hint of Punjabi folk melody hidden in the arrangement. There’s a reflective quality here; you can almost sense the late-night creative session that might have birthed it.
Closing out the EP is “Bohot Din” which brings a confident hip-hop energy while maintaining the project’s emotional throughline. YKSDOG enlisted rapper The Siege and singer Boyblanck for this finale, and their contributions make it a dynamic closer. A moody keyboard loop and head-nodding beat drive the song, as The Siege delivers an attention-grabbing verse that adds a bit of grit to the otherwise smooth record. His feature is indeed a highlight, a razor-sharp flow that talks about time lost or waiting long. Boyblanck’s vocals provide a smooth counterpoint, giving the track another bright light. “Bohot Din” expertly straddles the line between modern rap and the EP’s softer sonic elements.
Rollout and Live Showcase
When the EP finally launched, YKSDOG organized an intimate Boiler Room-style event to celebrate. Picture a cozy venue with speakers pulsing warm grooves, and YKSDOG at the center, manning the console, surrounded literally by the friends and artists who helped make the record. All the vocalists featured on Boys Don’t Cry stood beside or behind him as he performed the set. For YKSDOG, who is used to being the man behind the scenes, this was a poignant full-circle moment. “Being a producer, you’re always behind a desk… but at that show, those guys were with me, beside me,” he says, still sounding happily overwhelmed.
Final Thoughts
Conversational and unpretentious, Boys Don’t Cry is an impressive debut from YKSDOG that succeeds by staying true to who he is. The EP is brief and authentic, a snapshot of a producer who loves what he does and where he comes from. There’s a certain elegance in how YKSDOG merges the old with the new: much like a lotus blooming in contemporary waters, the folk touches in these songs blossom atop modern beats to create something familiar yet fresh. Each track offers a different facet of love and life, but together they form a cohesive narrative of an artist embracing vulnerability (despite the title’s playful suggestion otherwise).
In Boys Don’t Cry, YKSDOG reminds us that music rooted in personal truth will always find its audience. You can dance to these tracks, you can chill to them, and you can find pieces of your own story in them. And perhaps that’s the magic here – by pouring his influences, his heritage, and his heart into the project, YKSDOG has made an EP that’s easy to enjoy on the surface and even more rewarding when you dive deeper. For now, Boys Don’t Cry has us smiling, nodding along, and feeling just a little more connected and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
