Top Indian Songs of the week 02nd July 2023

Here are the best songs released in India across languages and genres for the week ending 25th June 2023. 

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1. Chameleon World

Performed by Bryden & Parth

Written by Bryden Lewis, Manek DSilva

Produced by Bryden Lewis

Language: English

Genre: Alt-Rock

I listened to this song and I had a surge of excitement, songs like these can are exactly why I do this job so that the world can open up their ears and listen to this kind of amazing homegrown talent. Bryden & Parth is the name of the band and the founding members are Bryden Lewis who is the composer, lyricist and Producer, and Parth Chandiramani plays the Flute and saxophone. 

The band also comprises Bassist Osi Gomango, Keyboardist Siddart Kamath, drummers Kamal Bob and Liben Toms and vocalist Jimmy Francis John. This song's brilliant vocals are performed by Bryden and we have the magnificent Shruti Dhasmana on backing vocals. The lyricist Manek comes up with that stylish opening speech, sounding like a game show host in the US. We instantly get a taste of what is about to come thanks to the Steel Flute by Parth and the drums by Liben.

That feeling of Latin Jazz emanates the moment Kamal plays the Percussion, sounding like the Cajun. We then get all the live instruments converging, like the Keys, guitars and bass and drums. The steel flute whenever I hear it, I am reminded of Ian Anderson at "Jethro Tull", the brilliant British Rock band of the 1970s. But the overall pop tone does feel like the great times of the 1990s and the best line is "She has an outfit for every occasion, Chameleon Girl wouldn't know what's real", sung with great oomph by Bryden. 

I also pleasantly recall songs like "Two Hearts" by Phil Collins and "When the going gets tough, the tough get going" by Billy Ocean, thanks to the similar tone. Bryden is terrific on the lead vocal but we can hear Shruti's dashing voice in the background and these harmonies are well-arranged and executed. I love this along with the dominant Keys when we hear the lines "back from who you truly are, from who we are". 

As we progress Siddhart gets wild on the Keys and the combined effect of the drums and percussion works like magic. At around the 3rd minute, we get a beautiful Flute solo by Parth. Then there is this nice tete-a-tete between the Flute and bass guitars, and finally, the outro is performed at a higher vocal pitch. 

@brydenparth @brydenlewis @manekdsilva @parth_chandiramani @shrutidhasmana @libentom @kamaldrummer @siddhartkamath @osigomango @vivekthomasproductions @rahul.narayan.15

2. Closer

Performed by Sukruth Mallesh

Written by Sukruth Mallesh

Produced by Sukruth & Siddhart Kamath

Language: English

Genre: Indie Pop

A couple of months ago, I featured a fabulous single by Sukruth Mallesh called 'Without You' and before even reading this review, I suggest you please listen to that song right away. Now coming closer to 'Closer', I was playing my set of new songs that I always plan on listening to every day in the morning. This is an exercise where I don't look at my phone till a song gets over so that I avoid any biases from taking over in judging the content. 

Along came this outrageous beauty, and I thought to myself, maybe this is some European or UK-based producer. I loved it so much but couldn't bear to open Spotify and see who is the artist. I jumped joyously knowing it is an Indian and that to this guy Sukruth who already had raised the bar last time. Here come the Keys, laying the platform and then as Sukruth begins cooly, we get the acoustic and bass guitars to add style. 

The way the additional vocals pile on when he sings " But I have been hurt so much" and somehow the impact of the hurt sort of magnifies and that is smartly arranged. The highlight of the song is the line " Can I get closer, Will I, Will I ever get closer?". It is like that famous line in the movie 'Jerry Maguire' that goes "You had me at Hello". I have to say Sukruth had me at "Can I". 

I just feel goosebumps when he sings "Will you hurt, If I get closer to you" and the chords change magnificently. The Piano and drums create an interlude segment. The production is outstanding, thanks to Sukruth and Siddhart, with full marks for all arrangements. The bridge section lets Sukruth enter the falsetto zone singing " Is love in this life ever possible again". The recording engineer is Akash Shivakumar and the tracks are mixed and mastered by Vivek Thomas. 

@iamsukruth @vivekthomasproductions @_manas_wi @siddhartkamath @overture_ent @akashshivakumar

3. Walk Away

Written, composed and performed by Mali

Produced by Jehangir Jehangir

Language: English

Genre: Indie Pop

This supremely talented singer-songwriter probably became known to many after that illustrious meeting with Tim Cook at the new Apple Store in Mumbai, but for lovers of music, Maalavika Manoj a.k.a. Mali was already 5 stars. I had the fortune of meeting her very briefly in Mumbai, but I hope to see her perform live, soon. 

This song like all her prior work is written, composed and performed by Mali and so credit to her for evoking such relevant emotions through her lyrics, and kudos for getting a heartwarming tune and an impactful voice to deliver the lines. Let us not forget that the song achieves its end goal also because of the impeccable production by Jehangir Jehangir. Jishnu Guha pulls you in with those acoustic guitars and the mild drums by Jehangir enhance the impact. 

My heart is filled with sadness as I hear her sing " Walk away, cos I don't need you" and the introduction of additional vocal layers in the background by, Mallika Barot and Aria Nanji, is musically meritorious but it does nothing to calm me down.

Mali manages to make me believe that she is going to break down while singing, and that is the value of an earnest and excellent execution as a vocalist. She sings one more time "Walk away" and that is the voice of a more determined heart, Jehangir creates a sound that feels eerie, but more importantly like the horns of a ship. Is that to indicate that the protagonist is telling her partner "This ship has sailed"?

 Hereafter the guitars are picking up the pace, with more help from the energetic drumming. Stuart DaCosta is the bassist and all the tracks are brilliantly mixed by Aria. The guitars and drums gain traction and when she sings the title line towards the later stages, we feel that she has now come out of her sadness and is ready to move on. The song is mastered by Kristian Montano

@short___round @studirt @thejjsticks @ariananji @kristianmontano

@studioislandcity @mallikabarot 

4. Downer

Performed by Debbii Dawson

Written by Alida Peck, Deborah Dawson, Kevin Hickey

Produced by Zhone

Language: English

Genre: Indie Pop

Debbii Dawson is the artist being featured here and I am doing so for the very first time, and hence thrilled beyond words. Debbii hails from LA and she has performed this blinder along with writing the melody and lyrics along with Alida Peck, and Kevin Hickey. 

This pop exuberance takes us back to the 1970s and the tune is so well composed with variations that a music lover can feed upon. I wish I expressed how much I loved the lyrics as well as the way they have been penned. "Upon the counter, she dried my tears, she said don't you worry when it comes you will be ready", they are simple in words yet substantial in the message. 

A message of positivity couldn't have been conveyed better by combining this tune, Debbii's vocals and the collective efforts of Alida, Kevin and Zhone. The guitars, drums and backing vocals just make for some juicy production by Zhone. The song never bores you even for a second, as repetition is not the name of the game here. Some lines surprise you musically like " Give yourself some time and you'' see everything, I'll be alright". 

This single feels like a masterclass in songwriting and there are enough examples I wonder how Debbii and the team sat together and worked on this musically and lyrically. Check out this line for example " On a good day I count the hours, the skies are blue but I know soon enough they'll pour" I wish I could shower more praise. The magic follows when the next line takes a turn for the better as the additional vocals go "People think I get too heavy, Yeah they always say", kudos to the vision to frame the melody this beautifully. The outro section is mindblowing, initially, we get to hear something like a Guitalele playing, then the Piano accompanies the multiple layers of vocals singing with lags and the climax on drums and electric guitars.

@debbiidawson @rachelhigg @zhone.co.uk @garethpeck @alidadotcom @ingrooves @wemanagewemanage 

5. Naina

Vocals: Siddhartha Sarkar

Production and mixing By: Lakshay Sharma

Language: Hindi

Genre: Fusion Rock

Pune continues to sizzle as a hotbed for musical activity and talent and the fusion Rock band Nawazishein is proof of that. I have featured them a year or so before and this probably is their best work yet. Siddhartha Sarkar is phenomenal, emotionally and technically as the lead vocalist. That lone Sarangi just heightens the pathos. 

Akash Gupta raises the energy on drums and percussions, and we have Lakshay Sharma on the guitars with bassist Siddharth Sagar. This Indian classical colour along with the heavy rock influence is like cream and coffee and works wonders. I was stunned by some work on the synths just past the 2.40-minute mark. After that the musical ambience changes and we have the drums and electric guitars dominating the proceedings. Abhishek Noel is the keyboardist and the tracks are mastered by Pranav Agashe with Abhay Koyadwar as the recording engineer. 

@nawazisheinmusic @milonijhonsa @abhisheknoel @lok_fi @songdewnetwork @sagar_siddharth @sid_on_music @akashdrums 

6. Nargis

Songwriter and Composer - Saroj Kashyap

Produced, Mixed & Mastered: Ritwik Bhattacharya

Language: English

Genre: Ballad

I love a composer's skill to create diverse styles of music because at the end of the who would want to be just a one-trick pony? Saroj Kashyap blew my mind away with her earlier single called" Dancing with the Demons" and this rock/ballad was like a diamond in the rough. So I expected this new single to be along similar lines because 90% of indie musicians stick with their most comfortable genre, but when 'Nargis' started playing, I was on cloud nine. Well done Saroj. 

Ritwik Bhattacharya starts things with the strumming of the guitars and Arjun MPN serenades you with that flute solo. Saroj starts to sizzle within seconds, performing her vocals. She is undeniably one of the best out there. In this mild ballad, we get to hear the impounding strings section in the background. Well done Ritwik for the phenomenal production, programming and arrangements, because if the tune and Saroj's voice are the soul, the body and flesh and all its being are the production. 

When it draws to a close, I wish there was more, and the ending humming section with the flute, strings and harmonies stays with you forever. 

@buzzychords @ritwikbhattacharya @arjun.mpn 

7. Tu Asamani Pari

Singer: Kuldeep Pattanaik and Aseema Panda

Lyrics: Ranjan Nayak

Music: Asad Nizam

Language: Odiya

Genre: Filmi Pop/Melody

It is the second week in a row that we are featuring an Odiya song and it is a moment to feel happy about. Widespread talent in our country is evident here. This is from a movie called 'Guddu Gangster' and the songs are composed by Asad Nizam. The tune is a very hummable one and it has influences of Raag Bhimpalasi for sure. 

The singing is by Kuldeep Pattanaik and Aseema Panda and they have a ball in this number. The vocals are pitch-perfect and because of the slight Indian classical tone in the song, they do very well with their vibrato almost in Hindustani Classical style. Asad plays the fantastic acoustic guitar in the song and it is like the second hero of the song. We get some excellent production on Keys and once can even hear the solo violin intervening in certain segments. My favourite is the title line.

The interlude is driven by the Violin interlude and some able rhythm and keys programming. The stanza is beautifully composed where Kuldeep and Aseema try to have a very healthy competition to see who can sing better, and I can only say that it is one tough race and the ultimate winners are the music lovers who get to hear them both in such form. I love the second interlude where Kulpeep does something like what Arijit Singh would do, innovating and improvising heavily. All the mixing and mastering have been done at Aksh Studio. 

@aseema_panda143 @asadnizamofficial @kuldeep_pattanaik 

8. Strawberry Pancakes

Performed by Shrae

Written by Shrea Suresh

Produced by Raag Sethi

Language: English

Genre: Blues/Pop

This is one song that reeks of perfect production and symbolises the role of a producer in a song. Shrea Suresh a.k.a Shrae has penned the lyrics and composed the melody, while that contributes a lot to how the song appeals, Raag Sethi's production magnifies its impact and delivers a blistering blow when the song is taken in entirety as a final well-rounded product. 

Kandarp Kavishkar is having some fun like a kid in a candy store playing those amazing Keys and he is accompanied by Shivang Kapadia on drums. The song is exceptional in the writing bits and Shrae leaves no stone unturned when it comes to performing and delivering the message vocally. The lines "Strawberry Pancakes and Pills for breakfast, With Rainbows on my mind" are beautiful and we have lead and backing vocals enhancing. 

Shrae just raising up things a notch as the song progresses as she vocally keeps hitting home runs. The vibrato, the vocal range and every element bring a smile to your face. The mild humming after the lines " Approving not abusing myself, hoping to grow" sounds cool and the nicely composed segment that goes " one step at a time". Raag's guitar solo right then is finger-licking good and once we are past this the collective efforts of drums, keys, bass, vocals and guitars are a recipe for excellence. 

The outro that goes " Too good to be true" with an A Capella twist lights up the day and the whole song does feel like one magnificent serving of Strawberry Pancakes. Protyay Chakraborty does the mixing and mastering and the album cover art is by indie artist

Ruhdabeh. 

@raagsethi @compassboxstudio @kapadiashivang @kandarp_kavishwar

@protyaych @lightruhm @ruhdabeh

9. Put On Feet Again

Performed by Sachin Shankor Mannath

Written by Sachin Mannath, Sayli Pandey

Language: Hindi

Genre: Classical Pop

More than 2 years ago I featured this composer for a Malayalam album called "Back Packers". It had amazing songs and I featured all of them. Now here he is with this power-packed single. The Sitar is played by Paulson and he gives this Indian instrument a beautiful Western flavour, and that is a sensational skill. The composer Sachin wastes no time in captivating us. 

Sachin's vocals and Sayli Pandey's lyrics drive the song, but the phases when Paulson plays the Sitar are etched in our brains. It is not just that tough, we get some other worthy arrangements as well, with the acoustic and bass guitars and Keys. The lines "gungunathi zindagi phir" kind of reflect the influences of Raag Bhimpalasi if I'm not wrong. Where Sachin excels is making these shifts in the song and you just wouldn't have been able to predict the trajectory of notes. So you are treated with pleasant surprises right through. 

@sachin.mannath @sayli_pande @paulsonsitar @abinpuspakaran @vignesh_vyas @nitutha 

10. Neene Nanne Dilruba

Performed by Ashwin G, Sneha P

Written by Kishore Kumar, Sachin Kumar

Produced by Shahrukh

Language: Kannada

Genre: Indie Pop/Melody

Nothing makes the heart feel light like a breezy melody and that is what this song achieves 100%. The melody is its biggest asset and it is composed by Kishore Kumar and the arrangements, programming and production are done by Shahrukh. Sneha's vocals are so tantalising that you will be dragged into the song, and with the flute solo that follows, you are caught in the web. The rhythms in the background do a fair job of making the output sound fantastic

Ashwin G comes out in the Anupallavi section and he does exactly what Sneha did, making this song enchanting to hear. We get the same notes now on whistle and the flute solo in the interlude is rich in melody. The acoustic guitar and the ethnic strings combine quite well too in the interlude. The charanam just gets better thanks to the vocalists and the interventions on the flute also keep adding to the song's appeal. We also have to thank Shahrukh for his masterclass on arrangements, bringing in all these instruments and you can even hear the strings section in the background. 

@ismufilms 

11. Bikhra Dil

Written, Composed and Produced by: Siddhant Mishra

Performed by: Siddhant Mishra, Simran Choudhary

Backing Vocals: Shweta Srivastava

Language: Hindi

Genre: Electronic Pop

Siddhant Mishra is a fine composer/producer and he consistently maintains his standard at every possible outing. This suave Hindi single is written, composed and produced by Siddhant, and to perform the lead vocals we have Simran as the female vocalist and Siddhant taking over the male vocal duties. 

Another fabulous indie artist Shweta Srivastava joins in with the backing vocals. Simran's voice brings in so much vulnerability, and she displays that feeling of a broken heart when she sings 'Bikhra Dil'. I love it when she does a mild ghamaka in "DIl Nasamajh hai bechaara". Jobin David plays the guitars and Siddhant enables the brilliant pop tonality with his keys and synths. The stanza is where Siddhant starts singing and he displays incredible control singing in bass scale. 

It is not easy to have a mix of styles, and Siddhant does it by taking in a very classical-sounding sthayi and antara and intertwining it with an electronic pop-styled sanchari. The line "jahan ta main, wahin hai tu" is a very beautiful shift in that style that I just mentioned. The closing outro is wonderful with backing vocals singing the title line but Simran is on another trajectory and singing " Kyun bane ye faasle mil na paaye raaste". 

Ajinkya Dhapare is the mixing engineer, assisted by Virat Bhushetty, while Shadab Rayeen does the mastering, assisted by Pukhraj Sonkar and Anup Gandharla. Varun Uday is the vocal coach and supervisor. One of my favourite musicians Sanchi handles the album artwork. 

@siddhant581 @thisissimran_ @shwetasrivastava29 @jobindavid @mrinalkanti.das.334 @ajinkyadhapare @shadabrayeen @floatvoicegym @sanchhhii @shayadshah_s @playheadstudio @anupvanup @pukhraj.sonkar96 

12. Aaj Pehli Vaari

Singer: Sharry Maan

Lyrics: Farmaan

Music: Sandee

Language: Punjabi

Genre: Pop

Surinder Singh Mann a.k.a. Sharry Mann recently released his album and this was my favourite from 'The Last Good Album'. This Mohali-based Civil Engineer has a cracker of a voice like many Punjabi vocalists and with Sandee's production, we get a fabulous number. The Piano and guitars become important elements in nurturing the melody, but the rhythms generate the style quotient.

Sandee does a spectacular job producing and wait for the 1.50-minute mark where there is a noticeable shift in the Keys and we hear something glorious. The subtle changes in the chord progression to our surprise probably take a lot of inspiration from the great composer duo Salim-Ulaiman. There is quite a lot happening in the background and we even hear a faint strings section. Farmaan is the lyricist, and as he says 'Aj Pehli Vaari', this is the first time I am featuring Sharry Mann. 

@sharrymaan @

13. Lazarus

Performed by BABA

Written by Abhiruk Patowary

Language: English

Genre: Alt-Rock

This guy is a composer, producer and most importantly a multiinstrumentalist. Something about that last word is stylish and sexy and feels like dealing with a polymath. Abhiruk Patowary a.k.a. BABA has written, composed, performed and played the drums, keys and guitars on this solid Alt-Rock number and we have a solo act here rising and taking over our minds and sense for the next few minutes. 

This Alt-Rock number is high on energy and we get a flavour of all the well-arranged instruments with the Piano riffs going on in the background, and one of the best elements of the song is the vocal harmonies. The bridge section is admirably composed and all the keyboard programming enlivens the surrounding. 

@babaxmusic @kaiber.ai 

14. Raahiya

Singer, composer : Nakul Chugh

Lyrics : Raghav Kaushik

Music production : Nakul Chugh

Language: Hindi

Genre: Indie Pop

I have been tracking some of the good work coming from Nakul Chugh and I must say, it is all quite impressive. This guy is just 21 and he is already creating some noticeable waves with his singing and production. I am interested to go and listen to his background scores from movies like "Good Luck Jerry". A significant achievement would have to be his work with Purbayan Chatterjee in that phenomenal album "Unbounded(Aabad)". 

Nakul has composed, written, sung and also produced this song. His voice sounds like a younger Arijit Singh, and when the title line comes, Nakul captivates with the high-pitched notes and acoustic guitars by Hrishi Giridhar giving that softer and romantic colour to the song. The brilliant singer-songwriter Raghav Kaushik (check out his recent song 'Door Kahin') has penned the lyrics for this one. The guitars, vocals and the humming harmonies work well including the ending notes on the Piano. 

@nakulchugh @hrishigiridhar @raymudafare @raghav__kaushik @vaishnavi_marwadi 

15. Ruby

Performed by: Saahel

Lyrics by: RevoLekhak

Music by: WhySoAryan

This is a fun way to end this week's list of the best songs. Saahel is a 20-year-old up-and-coming indie singer-songwriter, I did feature him a couple of months back and he can create some beautiful moments vocally that keeps me inclined and glued to his songs. This is a composition by Aryan and he has also produced the song. 

The song is breezy as one can imagine and want, and even the bridge section feels like a breath of fresh air. The Keys and harmonies make this an enchanting single. Team REPRESENT is the talent management firm involved with members Tanvi Seth and Madhura Rumde. The beautiful artwork is by Wandra Art. 

@saahellmusic @wandaart @whysoaryan @revolekhak @serendipptea @momomatiz @representmgmt