Top Indian Songs of the week 11th February 2024

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Here are the best songs released in India across languages and genres for the week ending 11th February 2024.

1. All I Need - RIKA

Vocals, composition: RIKA

MUSIC PRODUCER: RIKA, JOE KEARNS

LYRICS BY: JOE KEARNS, RIKA, BILL MAYBURY 

Language: English

Genre: Ballad - Pop

Mood: Pathos

Check out Rika's sensational new EP called " Conversations I've Never Had". I just did a review of the EP and gave it a 4.25/5 rating. The EP boasts 4 fantastic songs and I urge you to stream it right away. The guitars are striking in the intro and nothing comes close to grabbing our attention like Rika's spectacular vocals. This British-Serbian singer-songwriter of Indian descent mesmerises us with every note uttered. 

The pre-chorus segment slowly adds to the tension, as Rika shows her vulnerability in her voice and then when we hit the chorus segment, she rises like a phoenix with her loud and majestic vocals and the strings section in the background levitates our spirits further. Tobie Tripp handles the glorious string arrangements. You will be swayed into paradise when the strings conclude and Rika ends the chorus with a super falsetto at the end of " Yeah you're all I need". 

The intense lyrics are penned by Rika, Bill Maybury and Joe Kearns, and Rika writes the hummable melody. A lot of credit must go to Rika and Joe for the solid production, as all the programming and arrangements boost the song's output and likability. We have some musicians like Zahra Dry, Huw Robert Edwards, Cellist Alex Marshall, Violonist and Pianist Athena Octavia, and Violonist Nat Willow, involved in this song.

The layers of Violins and the Cellos along with the guitars and Pianos make the heart swell in joy and sadness at the same time. The outro is sheer magic with the strings and Rika's humming and ending with the words " Yeah You're All I Need".

@rika @rizshain @shekkkkp @billmaybs @gbakermusic @the_kearnal_86 @thrdlife @nikitaathewhild @rizshain @glvssounds @_alexmarshall @natwillowmusic @athenaoctaviolin @zahradry 

2. Dil Banaane Waaleya

Singers: Arijit Singh, Jonita Gandhi, Vishal Dadlani & Sheykhar Ravjiani

Composers: Vishal & Sheykhar

Lyrics: Kumaar

Music Producer: Abhijit Nalani

Language: Hindi

Genre: ALt-Rock

Mood: Patriotic

The EP was reviewed by me a couple of weeks ago, and it was not good enough to tease or tantalise the average music lover. Check out the video review of the EP on my IG page. I picked "DIl Banaane Waaleya" as the best song of the album and here is my review of the same. The patriotic mood is usually a very redundant style adopted by many musicians and many lack the melodic freshness that this song provides.

It might tick the usual boxes needed for a spirited anthem like this, but Vishal and Sheykhar surprise me in some important instances in the song and make it worth the time and effort to listen to this one. The Piano sets the tone and here things might seem run-of-the-mill, even after Arijit Singh, but it just keeps getting better. Rhythm Shaw hits you hard on the electric guitar at the start and right through, he also plays the acoustic and bass guitars which provide all the support. Arijit, once he hit the higher vocal registers, we get that rush of blood to the head.

The interlude has amazing juice with the electric guitar solo, the stylish bass notes and Aatur Soni's drums. Jonita sizzles with her baritone-ish delivery and the short but interesting stanza works well in furthering the beauty of the song. Abhijit Nalani is the producer, and so he deserves a lion's share of the credit for the arrangements and programming. I love it when Jonita and Arijit sing in two different registers and here she showcases such a vast vocal range in the song, just around the 3rd minute. 

The Choir is one of the highlights and helps in selling a patriotic song like this. Prince Mulla is the arranged for the Choir and the singers are Leena Rajan, Deepanshi Nagar, Shivika Rajesh, Nikitha Venkatesh, Dhanshree Rajvarsh, Ann Fernandes, Shreya Jain, Chaitanya Shinde, Vaibhav Rawal, Garvit Soni, Priyansh Shrivastava, Sakar Apte, Vaibhav Rajvarsh, Ajay Tiwari, Jobin David, Pankaj Dixit, Manish Sharmaa, Siddharth Dixit, Nishant Adhikari and Nimish Shah. Kumaar writes these passionate and inspiring lyrics and the tracks are mixed by Eric Pillai. 

@vishaldalani @shekharravijani @abhijitnalani @arijitsingh @jonitamusic @aatursoni @rhythm_shaw @princemulla @deepanshinagar @shivikarajesh @nikitha_venkatesh @dr.dhanshreerajvarsh @shreyajainmusic @annette_xo__ @sakarapte @garvitsoni_ @priyanshhhsrivastava @vaibhav_rajvarsh @kumaarofficial @

3. Tham Zaraa

Vocals, Composition, Vocal arrangement - Anurag Mishra

Lyrics - Ronkini Gupta

Music Production - Siddharth Pandit

Language: Hindi

Genre: Pop

Mood: Relaxed

I released an EP review of Anurag Mishra's 'Rang' just a few days ago and you should stream this multi-genre EP right away. It has 3 excellent songs according to me and here is one of my favourites. The song like the rest in the EP is composed and performed by Anurag with this one penned like a beauty by Ronkini Gupta. Ronkini and Anurag combine to deliver this message of love, and Anurag matches the tenderness of the lyrics with his delicate delivery. 

 I feel he is one of the best out there when it comes to composing and performing with a purpose. The keys and rhythms straightaway draw you like bait. Kudos to Siddharth Pandit for producing this with such amazing style and elegance. "Bezubaan ye dil, sambhal na paaye ye" is touching musically and lyrically. I get that texture of Udit Narayan when he sings the line "bezubaan ye dil" and that is a super compliment according to me. 

The song feels complete because Anurag goes ahead and makes this short but melodious stanza as well. Siddharth Pandit piles on the beauty with the strings section in the background. The mild but meaningful ghamakas by Anurag impact the listener so much and feel so real. Siddharth also does the mixing and mastering. Ayra Upadhyay and Joey are part of the visuals team for the music video. 

@anuragmishramusic @panditjeeee @chakoridwivedi @joesymovie @guptaronkini 

4. Bediyan

Performed by Rashmeet Kaur, Reble, Tracy De Sá

Lyrics by Daiaphi Lamare, Rashmeet Kaur, Tracy De Sá

Produced by Saurabh Lokhande

Composer - Rashmeet Kaur

Language: Punjabi/English

Genre: Alt Hip-Hop

Mood: Energetic

Just about a week ago I made a full video review of the album by Rashmeet Kaur called 'Kaura'. This was a worthwhile album with some very good songs, and the album's forte was the strength of collaborations and the diverse styles of songs. This one was one of the best in teh album and it has the melody written by Rashmeet, with lyrics by Daiaphi Lamare, Tracy De Sá and Rashmeet. 

This is Alt Hip-Hop of some terrific quality. We get some folk Punjabi music getting intertwined with Hip-Hop music. Rashmeet thumps with the Punjabi lines and her delivery is so stylish, showcasing great control and skill. Reble and Tracy De Sá are enthralling in their hip-hop leaving no space for slackness. Saurabh Lokhande amps up the sound with his terrific keys rhythm programming and overall production. This could easily be one of the best Hip-Hop songs of 2024 when it ends. The heavy horns-like sounds are a product of some skilful keyboard programming. 

@rashmeetkaur @kauraverse @tracy.desa @musicalsaurabh @rebleofficial

5. Mom's Song 

Performed by Cana Nongkhlaw

Written by Cana Nongkhlaw

Produced by Gregory Ford Nongrum, Aidan Wankhar

Language: English

Genre: Ballad

Mood: Contemplative

This is part of a new EP by Cana called "Meet Me in Gad Smane", taken from a place mentioned in the Bible. This is one of the best EPs of 2024 yet with some solid vocals, apt production and intense writing. Here comes a song that is one of my favourites from the EP and I did compare the impact it had on great songs of the past like "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton and "Candle in the Wind" by Elton John.

The Pianos we hear are playing in solo mode by Aidan Wankhar and at the interlude he plays in such soulful fashion. We do hear the strings section in the background, but playing ever so mildly, without taking away any attention from Cana's vocals and beautiful words. I feel tears at the end of my eyes when she sings " I love to hold her close, so close, she makes me whole". Gregory Ford Nongrum and Aidan Wankhar produced the song with such amazing sense and sensibility and the beauty lies in not overdoing any element. I urge you all to check out Cana Nongkhlaw's new EP soon. 

@cananongkhlaw @gregoryfordnongrum @aidaneu

6. Kaafi Ho

Performed by Kakkey

Written by Aalok Shrivastav, Kakkey

Language:

Genre: Pop

Mood: Pathos

A while back, maybe more than 2 years ago I had once featured Kakkey in a song in one of my weekly reviews. So it was not surprising to hear this beautiful song coming from him. Kakkey a.ka. Divyaansh Mehta composed the melody and Aalok Shrivastav has written the lyrics. He also sings the lead vocals with such passion, and oozing style, that it becomes impossible to focus anywhere else. 

The electric guitars are impressive and they act as solid layers in this Alt-Rock-styled song. Many vocalists try and copy the styles of famous singers like Arijit, and today many sound like his clones. Kakkey however sounds fresh, original and impressive, with his beautiful vibratto. The feeling of guitars and drums is unsurpassable and we get a truckload of that goodness here during the interludes. Mayukh Sarkar plays the guitars, Raghav Sharma is on Keys and Kalki is also on programming duties. The electric guitar solo towards the end by Mayukh is mind-boggling good. 

@kalkiofficial24 @kakkey_ @rackkeys @mayukhgtr @aalokshrivastav

 7. Teliyadhe

Performed by - KASYAP & Lipsika

Written by - Andukuri V.N. Madhusudhan, KASYAP

Produced by - KASYAP

Sound design & Background Score - KASYAP

Language: Telugu

Genre: Pop

Mood: Energetic

This young talented composer/producer and multi-instrumentalist has been featured by me more than a few times. One interesting fact is that his track " Start the Machine" was used for the TV spots for Marvel's 'Spiderman: No Way Home'. This indie song in Telugu is composed, produced and performed by KASYAP with Lipsika in the female lead vocals. 

The Keys and guitars become the core support elements, and when we get to the anupallavi section, the fingerflicks are very catchy. After that, the chorus segment is aided by some super rhythm programming. The lead guitar riffs add style and zest to the song in the interlude. Lipsika gets on board with a groovy humming and her lines start off in the second stanza, with her reaching the Altos zone with great ease. 

The pop song doesn't lose its style of substance for even one second and could easily be one of the best Telugu Indie songs of 2024. Hanish Taneja is the mix/master engineer, Andukuri V.N. Madhusudhan is the lyricist. 

@kasyapmusic @lipsikabhashyam @madhusudhan_andukuri @sonymusic_south @nayani_pavani @suneel_reddy_s @mixedbyhanish 

8. Katha

Music and concept - Debjit Mahalanobis

Language: Instrumental

Genre: Classical

Mood: Pathos

In 2024 I have begun featuring great instrumental tracks along with songs, rather than keeping them aside for a monthly or bi-monthly feature. I am glad that I decided to do so, and we have Debjit Mahalanobis' concept and composition here that just stuns you. 

The double bass by Debjit is enough to engage, entice and enamour us with exorbitant love and amazement. the mild percussions keep us excited, waiting like the curtain raiser, and when Debjit starts playing the Double Bass, you will feel a range of human emotions from getting tormented to uplifted. No words can describe the beauty of the sounds and the videos depicting the fusion of Western Classical Music and Indian Classical Dance forms. Mukulita Gangula is the choreographer and dancer with the stunning moves, Agnitray Chakraborty is the mixing engineer and Abhibroto Mitra is the recording engineer. 

@d_mahaalbass @mukulita.moves @agnitray @abhibroto

9. Chilaka

Music composer: Vijai bulganin

Lyricist: Suresh Banisetti 

Singers: Vijai bulganin & Lakshmi Meghana 

Language: Telugu

Genre: Light Music/Pop

Mood: Romantic

He is a regular on my weeklies, is Vijai Bulganin. His melodies are composed with such a beautiful flavour and the recipe for his constant success remains that Vijai focuses on writing a melody, devoid of gimmicks and he keeps things true without being muddled by modern tastes. Viiaji is also the male lead vocalist and he gets Lakshmi Meghana on board for the female role of vocalist. Suresh Banisetti is the lyricist. 

Right from the beginning we get a taste of some savvy bass guitars thanks to Derek Dominic D'Souza. Sathish Sebastian is on Keyboard programming and he sort of provides us with a nice soundscape. Lali Talluri creates awe with his pacy flute solo in the interlude and it is a well-written instrumental melody by Vijai. The stanza begins with Lakshmi's baritone vocals which seem next to impossible to sing with such ease. She performs the entire song in the lower vocal register. The stanza like always is also well composed by Vijai and that is why his songs become wholesome. 

Vijay Ganesan is the guitarist and you can hear him play in the background in the stanzas and other segments. Haritha Raj plays the Veena and all the strings section is programmed by Jishnu Vijayan. Robin Sebastian is the vocal engineer and Santhosh Sasi is the mix/master engineer. 

@lakshmimeghana @deepthi_sunaina @vijai_bulganin @sureshbanisetti_lyricist @navya.marouthu @ankithkoyyalive @lalittalluri @vjganesan @_jishnu_viijayan @sebastiansathishmusic @robinsebastianmusic 

10. Home

Performed by Dwain Willis

Written by Dwain Willis

Produced by Dwain Willis

Language: English

Genre: ALt-Rock

Mood: Contemplative

A solo project is no meant feat, but Dwain Willis achieves it with consummate ease. This musician was just featured by me for some work on great production a couple of months ago and here he has written the song, performed the lead vocals and produced it too.

The guitars are solid and are an immediate point of recognition and appreciation. The rhythm programming keeps up with the lead guitars, bass and keys. In the bridge section, Dwain hits the falsetto and comes out successfully. The recording engineer is Eldho Saju and MAyur Koli is the mix/master engineer. 

@_eldho.saju_ @dwain_willis @mayur_kolii @yashk.photography 

11. Tu Mileya

Performed by Aasa Singh, Abhiruchi Singh

Written by Abhiruchi Singh

Produced by Garvit Soni

Language: Hindi

Genre: Light Music/Folk

Mood: Romantic

Musicians are always trying to get creative, well that is what keeps them above water, and gives them an edge in this uber-competitive environment. Abhiruchi Singh recently got married in January 2024 and she decided to compose and write this song for her special day. I hope her married life is as beautiful as the song she has created. 

The acoustic guitar sets the tone and it has romance written all over. Abhiruchi slowly but steadily hums her way into the song. She expresses love and joy in her voice and she sings " har janam mera hona, soneya" I love the light vibrato on the last word. The chorus segment is the highlight and it is studded with beautiful notes, but there is a marked resemblance to some of Pritam's songs especially "Kabeera Maan Ja", especially when the Tabla starts playing.

Aasa Singh is passionate and he sings the higher notes with such poise. He also backs up in the aalap in the background. The production is very effective thanks to the talented Garvit SOni, and he picks the heavy rhythms to add to the grandiose nature of the occasion in the outro. Samir Dharap is the recording engineer at Studio504. The beautiful artwork is by Pranjali Nigudkar 

@abhiruchimusic @aasa.sing @firstwav @garvitsoni_ @samirdharap9 @studio5o4 @pranjali_nigudkar 

12. Khoyi Rahun

Performed by Bharath, Heer

Written by Heer

Produced by Bharath

Language: Hindi

Genre: Jazz-Pop

Mood: Romantic

Heer Heer, well that is one way of celebrating and saying 'here here'. Heer is the artist who has composed the melody and penned the lyrics. The Jazzy-sounding Pop song feels fresh and brings about Heer's evocative vocals to the fore. The humming is accompanied by some funky guitar notes that grab all your attention. 

Bharath is the producer and he doesn't skip a beat in arranging, programming and setting the beautiful soundscape. I love the pause and the rhythms when she sings " Ab jo bhi hona hai, ho jaane de". The vocal harmonies, keys and rhythms are perfectly arranged and bring about some enjoyable flavours to the table. Shubham Patil is the recording engineer. The mixing and mastering is done by Bharath

@heerkamdar14 @bharath.mp3 @raghavmeattle @firstwav @rahulshah.wav @shubhmix_ @shambhavisingh