Top Indian Songs of the week 13th August 2023

1. X marks the spot

Performed by Prabhtoj Singh, Sanjeeta Bhattacharya

Written by Prabhtoj Singh, Sanjeeta Bhattacharya

Produced by Prabhtoj Singh

Language: English

Genre: Indie Pop

Mark this song, and mark this artist. She is easily one of India's brightest and in this song, she delivers probably 2023's finest vocal performance by an Indian singer. Sanjeeta Bhattacharya is a regular on my website and her ability to use her vocal strengths and compose and write songs is a true gift. This is composed and written by Sanjeeta and producer Prabhtoj Singh.

Prabhtoj has done some excellent work in the past and here he produces a blitzkrieg, well that is what the poster of the song looks like too, Sanjeeta and Prabhtoh set the stage on fire. Welcome to the spot, with Keys and the Violin by Madhuri Martinez inviting you. Rythem Bansal gently lays his fingers on the Piano and when combined with Sanjeeta's enthralling voice, it sends a shiver down my spine. 

Sanjeeta wastes no time, and she gets right down to business, making these outrageous vibratos straightaway. The writing is excellent "Shall I make a speech about my right to speak", and when the lines progress into "I want answers, I want to be sure", Madhuri's solo Violin is taking over with immense power in the background. The arrangements and production by Prabhtoj are nothing short of spectacular, and Sanjeeta dn Prabhtoj sown you what songwriting is all about, with lines like " What good is a story when you've got no one to tell it to". 

The song moves into a much more aggressive and breathtaking plane with the introduction of drums by Aveleon Vaz and Sanjeeta is singing with her lungs about to explode singing " Babe, why don't you love me no more?". Here come Aman Sagar's guitars and Prabhtoj's bass guitar support. The last 40 seconds are just a celebration of great singing and production. 

@sanjeeta11 @prabhtojsingh @rythempiano @amansagarr @aveleonvaz @madhurimartinez @andresmayoestudio @ferriswheelstudios 

2. Bezubaan

Singer: Armaan Bedil

Lyrics: Navi Ferozpur

Composer/Producer: Goldboy 

Language:

Genre: Folk/ Light Music

I have featured both Armaan Bedil and Goldboy before as artists on my website and here the two combine to create this very enjoyable Punjabi melody. Goldboy composed the tune and produced the music, with Armaan's vocals and Navi Ferozpur's Punjabi lyrics. 

Kudos to Goldboy for the elaborate production and amazing sound design. We hear the Accordion, strings section and flute, all combining with grandeur. It feels like a song by Ajay-Atul from the album "Sairat". The title line is just brilliant to hear with Armaan's voice and the arrangements by Goldboy. The interlude is rich with a loud and imposing strings section, and Accordion in the lead. 

The stanza is simple with a hummable melody, but it is the intervening mix of these instruments that make for some wonderful listening. I can also hear the stylish bass guitars. We do not get such productions and arrangements in Punjabi music, and the second interlude is a testament to the effort and execution of Golboy as the producer. 

@iamarmaanbedil @goldboypro @naviferozpurwala 

3. Musafir

Singers: Salim Merchant, Karthik Chennoji Rao, Yogeendra Hariprasad

Composed and produced by Yogeendra Hariprasad

Arranged and performed by Pineapple Express

Lyrics - Karthik Chennoji Rao and Yogeendra Hariprasad

Language: Hindi

Genre: Rock Fusion 

When two giants mingle, only phenomenal stuff gets created in the process. Here we have one of India's finest Rock bands in Pineapple Express, working in tandem with Salim Merchant, a mammoth of a composer/producer. The composition is by Yogeendra Hariprasda of Pineapple Express and he also has produced this song. 

Salim is brought on to the project as a vocalist and we have Karthick Chennojirao, Yogeendra and Salim playing the role of vocalists here. Arjun MPN smashes his way through with his flute solo and we get the rock flavour thanks to Jyotish Mani's electrifying guitars and drums by Ujwal KS. The Hindi segment is performed by Salim in that usual transcendental style of delivery, while Karthik sings the cool English lines. These segments initially with the flute I felt some influence of Raag Bhimpalasi. 

As we progress we get Jyotish going berserk on the guitars along with keys by Yogeendra. The song becomes a typical Pineapple Express song, and then there are some twists and turns offered as well. The flute solo forms the crux of the segment, and the vocals by Salim, Karthik lead us on to a Kerala folk fervour with the Chenda, Mridangam and many more of the specific percussions played by Gopi Shravan. Kedarnath Havaldar plays the Tabla while Sarfaraaz Khan plays the Sarangi solo in the outro.  

Adam Bentley, Toby Joseph, Jyotish and Yogeendra are the mixing and mastering engineers 

@pineappleexpress.music @yogieatsprog @karthikchennojirao @gopi_shravan @ujwal_ks @arjun.mpn @jyotish.mani @kedarnathhavaldar @salimmerchant @merchant_records @sarfaraaz_khan29 @subhashrao23 @shivansh.j @gravitytalent

4. Rendezvous

Performed by Carolina Norbu

Written by Carolina Norbu

Produced by Takar Nabam

All hail the NE parts of India, and if I can never grow tired of stating the obvious, readers and music lovers shouldn't get either. Carolina Norbu has been around a while but I am so glad to feature this singer-songwriter from Arunachal Pradesh, who has been on my radar too. Her vocals are the standout element, as she teases and playfully attempts to draw us into her song. Carolina sings like a dream on a quiet misty morning and her vocals are ably supported by guitars. 

Takar Nabam is another amazingly consistent indie musician and he handles the song's production and so he leaves no stone unturned in getting the tone right. I love the line "I wonder how it would feel, when sunbeams fall right on our skin", with the notes dropping nicely towards the end of the line. Takar adds bass guitars to enrich the style and the secondary layers of vocals add depth and further meaning to the message that Carolina is delivering. Aveleon Vaz is effortless and he keeps driving the songs' tempo, without ever trying to steal the thunder. 

Carolina makes easy forays into the falsetto zone, and this is why this is a very impressive vocal performance. The bridge section is nicely composed too, and this is where the guitars dominate. I like how Carolina improvises with her vocals singing "ta ra rum pum". Haggai Rongmei is the mix/master engineer. 

@carolinanorbu @takarnabam @aveleonvaz @haggairongmei

5. Manwa Bhagey

Sung and composed by: Vasuda Sharma 

Lyrics: Anjali Sharma & Vasuda Sharma 

Language: Hindi/Traditional

Genre: Classical-Pop

Vasuda Sharma used to be a member of the pop band Aasma, and she was also apparently the youngest member at that time. So it has always been brimming inside her and that too quite precociously to achieve excellence in music. She has been featured alongside Arnav Magoo in a fantastic song called 'Tere Bina' and also another inspiring number called 'Believe' featuring violinist Layth Sidiq. 

This is all her writing, composition and vocals with Anjali Sharma working with Vasuda on the lyrics alone. It is also the first song under her new Music Label Nest. The bass guitars by Luka Veselinovic and the Tabla by Sanchit Mhatre accompany right from the start. Krishna Raj plays the solo Violin with such charm and gusto and he immediately brings a tear or two, he also handles the violin arrangements. Sanjoy Das plays the acoustic guitars and arranges the sections involving them. 

The second interlude is dominated by the guitar with mild fragments of the Violin in the background. Anjali and Vasuda write these beautiful words that are so deep and philosophical. Marko Matosevic plays the drums and it is a wonderfully produced song with so many instruments aligned and arranged nicely. the outro section has improvised vocals with the violin, Tabla, guitar, bass and drums unifying. Jayakrishnan Nalinkumar is the mix/master engineer and Anand Dabre is the recording engineer. 

@krishnarajviolin @sharma.anjali458 @songnestlabel @pooja_golani93 @sanjoygtr @sanchitmhatredrums @avantika_gupta @veselino1 @ananddabre @jk_theaudioguy @gautambharadwaj_

6. Iss Dil Ka

Singer & Music Composer - Samira Koppikar 

Lyricist - Yash Eshwari 

Music arrangements & Production - Jonathan Rebeiro 

Language: Hindi

Genre: Indie Pop

Please do listen to Samira Koppikar's new EP 'Sang Baarishon Ke'. I am about to feature a video review of the EP on my Instagram soon, and I think it is one of the best Hindi Indie EPs released so far in 2023. I did feature 'Baat Kya Hai' a couple of weeks ago and this song 'Iss Dil Ka' is probably the best of the EP. I feel so elated that I confidently picked Samira as one of the best women composers in India to look up to, and all this is just proof of the pudding. 

Samira composes and performs the vocals with lyrics by Yash Eshwari. The guitars by Jobin David are emphatic but I cannot stop raving about the wonderful aptness with which Samira emotes as she sings. Listen to the line " yeh dhoonde, zidd karein" and you will understand what I am talking about. The rhythm programming is just fantastic and "dard agar hota mera, to kab ka chhod deti" is a line that exemplifies it. Jonathan Rebeiro is the man behind the arrangements, programming and production, so bravo. 

The interlude feels like a piece of Rock music goodness thanks to the electric guitar solo. The stanza is wonderfully composed as well. Samira also handles all the backing vocal elements that come up towards the outro and we have Ajinkya Dhapare on mixing and mastering, assisted by Virat Bhushetty. 

@jobindavid @samirakoppikar @ajinkyadhapare @yasheshwariunofficial @jonathanrebeiro @virat_bhushetty

7. Dhuaan

Composed and Produced by Savera 

Written by Medha Sahi

Performed by Savera, Medha Sahi and Reuel Benedict

Language: Hindi

Genre: Alt-Pop

This is the kind of stuff that Savera made that truly blew me away when I first heard him 3 years ago. I feel like I am listening to some of COldplay's greatest hits, and this is meant to be a compliment. The solid guitars in the background and the Keys make for a terrific embellishment. The way Savera uses the falsetto is exemplary and the I am in love with the sound design and production by him. 

"Kab hogi andheri, yeh raat" says Mesgha Sahi, the musician who plays the lyricist in this song. The mild strings section in the background and the heavy load of synths and Keys programming feels like travelling into outer space and spotting celestial bodies. The way he sings "jaane kyun" and we only have the mild guitar to support is subtle but stylish. Meera George is responsible for the wonderful artwork. Savera is the recording, mixing and mastering engineer. 

@savera.music @medhasahi @reuelbenedict @karanutd @zeena.oberoi @miora.artist @blureality @representmgmt @starvingartistfilms 

8. Juliet

Performed by Jehaan

Written by Jehaan, Jehaan S

Produced by Simon Reid

Language: English

Genre: Indie Pop

This kid is all of just 15, and I have been raving about the singer-songwriter Tanya SHanker from Bengaluru whenever I get an opportunity. Jehaan is just one more prime example of precocious talent. 

When you hear the voice, you will be astounded by the control and stability in the voice. Jehaan also possesses the ability to express the right emotions through his delivery. He shifts from showing a sense of longing and sadness when he sings " Oh Juliet, you are always in my head" and then to an element of anger and frustration as he sings " This game is flawed as there are no laws". That is something for a 15-year-old to achieve. 

Simon Reid provides some insane production value, with the backing vocals, Piano, Keys and strings section all arranged to perfection. I cannot compliment Jehaan enough because he has composed a wonderful melody that you can feel relevant to and hum along to. He already is quite talented, yet I pray that he keeps rising and moving forward. It is a delight to be featuring such amazing talent. 

@simonreidmusic @devsanyal @instajehaan  

9. Le Jaa

Written composed & performed: QK (Aarya Jadhao)

Music Production Additional Vocals & Mix: Yashraj Mukhate

Language: Hindi

Genre: Indie Pop

We all know Yashraj Mukhate, as he is one of the most popular musicians on YT and Instagram, thanks to his very innovative compositions using by altering and using sound bytes from news, entertainment and other media. His rise of late cannot be denied, as he was just seen performing in a Merchant Records single last month "Kahaaniyan", which was written and performed by Yashraj. 

In this song, the composition is by QK a.k.a Aarya Jadhao and she is also the lead vocalist. The producer's hat is donned by Yashraj. QK's vocals are nothing short of sensually brilliant. She carries an emphatic attitude and gives out the persona of a very strong woman. The Keyboard programming sizzles and if you observe the subtle changes and chord progression of the Keys they sound amazing like when she sings " mile saari khushiyaan, tujhe mile kamyabi". All credit for this production and sound design goes to Yashraj

I think we hear some nice ethnic strings, and the Trumpets and Trombones in the background which all glorify the song. Yashraj handles the backing vocals as well mixing of the tracks. Sajid Masood is the mastering engineer. 

@yashrajmukhate @aarya.qk @sonymusicindia @scarecrowtalent 

10. Piya Saware

Singer - Javed Ali 

Lyricist - Shilpa Aggarwal (Piya)

Music - Darshan Zaveri & Bhagirath Bhatt 

Additional Vocals - Bhavik Patel

Arrangement & Programming - Darshan Zaveri

Language: Hindi

Genre: Classical

Javed Ali is right in the middle of an enviable purple patch because he is singing some fantastic Hindi singles in the Indie space. It is not a matter of luck and destiny alone, because every time he is presented with such an opportunity, Javed just makes hay. Is this song called Piya Saware, because of the lyricist Shilpa Aggarwal who calls herself 'Piya'?

Darshan Zaveri and Bhagirath Bhatt are the composers and they create enough mystery surrounding the opening lines. I did take a few turns in terms of scale, and the unpredictable nature of the tune excites me the most. The solo violin plays in the background, creating that gentle pathos, but the slow introduction of the Tabla by Rupak Desai, and the mild Keys by Darshan make things a bit more cheerful. There are moments when the song moves towards Raag Puriya Dhanasree, adding to the sadness. 

Javed sings with great panache and the high-pitched vibrato is wonderful to hear and get enticed by. Bhagirath's soulful solo on the Sitar is just one of the unforgettable highlights of the song, and here I am tempted to say that there is either a Desh or Malhar influence here. The chorus has Keyur Vaghela, Abhishek Gadhvi, Hetaxi Trivedi and Nidhi Adhvaryu. The mix and master engineer is Rahul Sharma. Darshan handles all the beautiful arrangements in the song 

@bhagirath.bhatt @javedali4u @iamshilpaaggarwal @savage7media @zaveri.darshan @believeasd @aralinnmusicofficial 

11. Gimme Love

Written by: Dhruv Visvanath and Matty Benbrook

Produced by: Dhruv Visvanath

Language: English

Genre: Indie Pop

One of the first times I wrote a long review of a song was "Dear Madeline" by Dhruv Visvanath, back in 2020 and I was so impressed, that I knew then that Indian music has so much to offer in the English indie space to compete and win over global giants. 

Here he starts with the Ukulele, and it is like that Tsunami that is so far away, and you only feel a small ripple. The song rises like a massive tide and just consumes the music lover in you. The song is written by Dhruv and Matty Benbrook, but the song is entirely produced by Dhruv. The way he sings " Gimme love, cos I don't when I'll get to believe" especially the last word is just a thing of wonder. We enter a zome of immense upliftment as we get vocal harmonies, string guitars, and rhythms and it is time for lift-off into higher orbit. The song is just one enjoyable single, with Keshav Dhar is on mixing and mastering, Ayan De taking care of Surround Engineering. 

@mrdhruvv @equinox_films @thislittletanvi @mattybenbrook @keshavdhar

12. Ikk Gall

Singer - Divyank

Lyrics - Amna Badh

Composed and Produced by Divyank

Co-Produced by Manash Saikia

Language: Punjabi

Genre: Alt-Rock/Jazz

Divyank reached out to me with his new song, and I am glad he did for this is one worthy song to be part of this list. Divyank composed the tune, produced the song and performed the vocals. This is a Punjabi song that doesn't find the style especially as commonplace. Divyank brings in elements of Raag Bhimpalasi and fuses it with some funky Alt-Rock. So A+ for his creativity and efforts straightaway. 

Manash Saikia joins in as the co-producer and he also plays the bass guitars adding superior grooviness to the song. He also plays the electric guitar in the song. The song's arrangements are astounding with Hemant Singh's Melodica, Saksham Dhar's acoustic guitar and Akash Bharadwaj's drums all co-exist and collectively elevate the song. Divyank also plays the role of backing vocalist, with Harshit Gakhar being the mixing, mastering and recording engineer, along with Bhargav Soni

@divi_vox @amna_x24 @manash_inf @mixedbyharshit @bhargav.s @dharpok @di_dwm @hemantsynth @ab_akashbhardwaj @nazam.kayy @taginstitute

13. Raaton

Written, Produced and Performed by Aditya Rikhari

Language: Hindi

Genre: Indie pop

Aditya Rikhari is a popular young singer-songwriter in the Hindi Indie space and especially in live performances across North India. I have featured him once before for a funky breezy song called "Teri Yaad". This one is on the opposite side of the style spectrum. This has the Keys right at the beginning along with the gentle Piano. Aditya has this vulnerable, mild voice feeling the pain of the protagonist. 

It does sound like the tune is influenced by Raag Yaman and the introduction of the Tabla gives the song a classical flavor. I love the line " Jaane ka man banaye huey ho, kaise tumhe main jaane na doon", for its lyrical and melodic value. Aditya goes solo in the project having written, composed, produced and performed the single. The humming in the interlude is beautiful and it takes a good musician to think of this. The stanza is mild and flows just like the song's Sthayi. 

 @adityarikhari @tseries.official @amishi.kaushik @shormusic @sanjnakrishnan @mixbymukul 

14. Baaton Baaton Mein

Singer: Jubin Nautiyal

Lyricist: Ankit Pandey

Music: Saurabh-Vaibhav

Language: Hindi

Genre: Light Music/Pop

We have a new movie coming up by the name "Love-All" and I have already liked a couple of songs in the album. This week I am featuring a nice melody sung by Jubin Nautiyal with music by the duo Saurabh-Vaibhav. We have the duo of Saurabh Gupta and Vaibhav Singh Sengar working together and I am featuring their music for the first time. 

Jubin sings this with such a passionate restraint, unlike the other songs we know him from. The guitars are plentiful and they decorate the song all around. The percussions are excellently arranged and along with the harmonies, we get a soothing love song. 

@musicsaurabhvaibhav @jubin_nautiyal @imbhobho @saurabh4music @mixedbyaftab 

15. Kyun

Lyrics and Composition: Anurag Gupta

Arrangement and Music Production: Anurag Gupta

Language: Hindi

Genre: Classical-Pop

As we come towards the end of the list, we have another debutant artist on my website, Anurag Gupta makes a valiant effort as a vocalist here, especially when he has to explore a wide vocal range. But there is definitely scope for improvement. Anurag has also written, composed, arranged and produced and here he score much better on all counts. The use of the Tabla by Gurbhej Sandhu works nicely to pacify things, but the highlight is the Kazoo in the interlude which sounds like a piece of heaven on earth. 

Anurag himself plays the Kazoo and when they are accompanied by rhythms and the Tabla there is absolute tranquility. Aneesthesia is the mix/master engineer. J'AGs is involved in background vocals. 

@singhjagreeti @gurisandhu_70 @anurag26_