Top Indian Songs of the week 15th October 2023

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Here are the best songs released in India across languages and genres for the week ending 15th October 2023. 

Here is the SPOTIFY Playlist of the Top songs of the week

'1. Upasana

Written, Performed: Param

Language: Kannada

Genre: Hindustani Progressive Rock

The band from Mysuru released a new album called 'Upasana' and this had some very fine music, spread across 7 songs. This title song was my favourite and it has been written in Kannada. Vijay Hegde, the frontman is in terrific form as the lead vocalist. This is pure heaven for both rock fans as well as Classical music fans. Vijay possesses an incredibly wide vocal range and he outs it great use right at the start. 

Shreyas Urs plays the lead guitar like he is about the blow away the fuse, and that is important in maintaining the energy of Vijay. Mayur GS on drums is in a belligerent mood as well and we get an infusion of funk and style through Sanketh Kumar's bass guitars. The interludes involving the drums, guitars and bass are paradise on earth and we enter a world of dreams where God is a guitarist. Vishal Athreya Kalbag is the 4th member of the band who is the percussionist. 

Just past the 3rd minute the intensity drops, and the guitar and drums become very mild, but Vijay sings with an unabating passion and this segment is where I felt like I heard Raag Darbari. Vijay delivers one of the best vocal performances I have heard in the last couple of months. Dayana is the lyricist

@paramtheband @shreyas_urs_music @thebluezguy @gsmayur22 @de_heartist @kevmanohar @mansi_mira @sahana.jar @mansi_mira 

2. For You

Written, Performed: Salt Rock

Language: English

Genre: Alt-Rock

Salt Rock is an Alternative Rock outfit from New Delhi. The musicians took me by surprise as I had never heard their music before. I was thrilled with every passing second and now I am going to be heavily invested when they release anything. Aditi Sharma is the lead vocalist and she performs a banger here, exhibiting style and chutzpah with every syllable and note. Mayank Lawrence is not far behind with his sizzling guitar strumming and it is caffeine for your ears when he is in full flow.

Vishrut Shankar Shukla and Sarthak Pradhan aren't far behind adding beauty with the bass guitars and drums respectively. The song just gets incredibly enjoyable when we get to the chorus segment and the lines " Call my name" begin. The song's tone has a Raag Jog resemblance, maybe it is Minor Pentatonic scale then.  

The bridge section is all about Aditi's vocal abilities getting highlighted. The segment past the 2.40-minute mark has the interlude on electric guitars, adding inspiration and setting the song apart from many others in the week. 

@salt__rock @_sarthakpradhan @aditi__sharma @vindalooshaker @mayanklawless 

3. Manmaani

Performed by - AKASA

Composed by - AKASA

Lyrics by - AKASA

Language: Hindi/Punjabi

Vedant Thakur invites me into the maze of music and melody with that beautifully sounding guitar. I felt like he was sitting next to me and wielding that wand. AKASA has been featured by me before and for some sensational music. She goes solo here composing the melody, writing the lyrics and performing the lead vocals. 

When AKASA starts singing, you believe you are amidst some Grade A performer. The tone of her voice is stunning and she plays around with a few mild vibrato here and there like the line " phir kyun majboori se, lipta hai yeh sama". She oozes confidence and carries an enviable attitude when she sings "kahan kho gaye deewane deewane", especially in the last two words. The world becomes brighter and emits hope when she moves from Hindi to Punjabi and the song gets lifted multiple levels during that moment

For AKASA to envision and execute this shift within the first 1 minute, and to vocally also depict the transformation is unbelievable. She has a more classical tone when she sings the Punjabi lines, "sajna haayee, kyun ave si lagna" and the Rabab by Chintu Singh Wazir enthrals us. The chorus segment of the song appears and as everything continues to impress, Surinder Singh plays a gentle cameo on the Tabla. 

The arrangements are beyond excellent and credit goes to Aasa Singh and AKASA for getting the live instrumentals spot on. The interplay between the Rabab and Tabla and the creative interventions are musically gorgeous. The short and sweet bridge section has a hint of the acoustic guitar and it combines well with the Rabab. The recording was done at WIBE Studios, mixed and mastered by Mukul Jain at Ferris Wheel Studios. Shambhavi Akhawat & Gauri Divyaa Pandit are the creative producers. 

@akasasing @aasa.sing @sonymusicindia @heemverma @gauriisokay @akhawatdafuck @diyasahgal @tusharmanak @rohankhurana7 @ferriswheelstudios @iamsurinderr @wibestudio

4. Drowning

Written and performed by Rakshana Sridhar

Production,Mix and Master : Aadarsh Subramaniam 

Backing vocals arrangement: Joel Rozario, Rakshana Sridhar 

Language: English

Genre: Alt-Pop

Rakshana Sridhar reached out to me on Instagram and asked me to check out her new song. Initially, it was only a series of 'Hi' and 'Hello' and we hardly could get time to converse on music. Finally one fine day she sent me her track called " Drowning". After listening, I was speechless and drowned in the melody and vocals. Avril Lavigne is the name that comes to mind when I think of a vocal equivalent for Rakshana and I am hoping she wouldn't mind this comparison. 

Rakshana has written the melody, and lyrics and performed the vocals. I love how she portrays her vulnerability, of the protagonist, in singing the lines, especially when I hear "Cos I feel like I stuck in a time capsule". The way she sings the title word "drowning" with a mild ghamaka, is so soothing. The gentle Piano flows like the water, but that is not the reason for her drowning, and the strings section adds to the pathos. Aadarsh Subramaniam is the Producer and he must be credited with the detailed and delightful arrangements and programming elements. 

The Pop Music world of 2000s is being revisited here and the sound design is apt, getting the hopes up with the glorious strings section as she sings " I'm trying to find my way back". The vocal harmonies also add a layer of positivity after the chorus segment. The use of vibrato and the improvisation on the last word of " Was I foolish to wait for you to come back" is so inspiring. Joel Rozario and Rakshana arrange the vocal harmonies. The song feels like witnessing the character drown and then make a recovery and escape from that incident. The arrangements, and production all help achieve this, especially with a fantastic outro.

@rakshanasridhar @aadarsh_s @a_isography @owl_joel_son 

5. Until You See

Music/Production/Guitars/Lyrics/Vocals: Donn Bhat

Lyrics/Vocals: Toymob

Language: English

Genre: Pop

Donn Bhat is one impressive producer and I have been meaning to cover some of his work of late. Then this brilliant song comes along. The collaboration is epic as well with Donn, Toymob and Blackstratblues working in unison. The vocals are nothing short of magnificent and we have both Donn and Toynob performing.

This electronica composer/producer has worked on some fantastic music associated with labels like Coke Studio as well, and this Mumbai-based self-taught musician created a cracker a few months ago called "Ishq". Ashhar Farooqui a.k.a. Toymob is another genre-bending artist and the two have been working on musical projects for a while now. This is the stuff dreams are made of and Warren comes in and plays the slide guitar solo in the song, in the outro. The fun and frolic involved in a slide guitar is brought out beautifully by Blackstratblues. Keshav Dhar is the mixing engineer and Julian Lowe is the mastering engineer. 

@donnbhat @toymob @blackstratblues @snnati.uhetty @pychiatricks101

6. Jharokha

Performed by Vidhya Gopal

Written by Vidhya Gopal, Alok Ranjan Srivastava

Produced by Ramil Ganjoo

Language: Hindi

Genre: Classical

The EP is called 'Par' and I just released a review of the same last week. I am aware of Vidhya Gopal's work and I am not surprised by the quality of this EP. There is a sense of Raag Desh according to me in this classically oriented single, it brings out Vidhya's Hindustani vocal strengths.

The Sitar by Gaurav Nagor has a calming effect and the background is also decorated with guitars and synths both by Ramil Ganjoo. Ramil is the producer and he loads the interludes with Keys and synths without taking away the impact of the classical touches. Alok Ranjan Srivastava is the lyricist and Vidhya ensures that she adds effect to the words through her delivery, especially the ghamakas. 

@vidhyagopal_ @ramilganjoo @gaurav_nagor @hashtag.jazbaat

7. I Will Let You Go

Performed by Michael Dias

Written by Michael Dias

Produced by Michael Dias

Language: English

Genre: Synth Pop

The last time Michale Dias released a song, he had me go crazy about love, music and mainly Chai. I went as far as memorising the lyrics and singing it to my wife. Now we have him composing and giving us the goodness of 1980s Pop and this is an invaluable gift to me and many who loved those times. The synths are heavy and I am travelling back in time, having had all the heaviness of my heart getting lifted. 

Michael writes some beautiful and intelligent lines like " When all the stars in the sky, decide to call it a night". I am amazed at the aptitude of this young singer-songwriter from Kochi. The protagonist is in love with someone but his inability to let go of the partner is beautifully worded through a set of improbable events like "when all the leaves on the trees, stop singing songs in the breeze". 

I am reminded of Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" with the way the song's tone, and interludes of Keys and Synths are designed. The singing is unquestionably effective, passionate and solid. The bridge section is followed by a mesmerising solo on the electric guitar. Towards the end, the acoustic guitar support becomes more evident. Alok Merwin is on the keys and synths, David Joseph plays the drums, Carl Fernandes is the bassist also playing the synth bass, and Toby Joseph is the mix/master engineer. We have Rebecca DIas doing the very fine artwork. 

@michaelknowstorock @alok_merwin @davidthejoseph @rebeckydias @tobsgarage @carlthebass @madverse.music @neonculture.in 

8. Bujhee Bujhee 

Singer: Rahul Ram & Jyoti Nooran

Music Director: Vishal Bhardwaj

Lyricist: Sant Rahim

Music Producer: Debarpito Saha

Language: Hindi

Genre: Folk-Rock

The movie Khufiya on Netflix was not great and after an engaging start, there was a noticeable drop in the intensity and intelligence of the script. The music too was not up to the mark but this song stood out for sure. Please check out my video review of the album on Instagram. This is a song set in the Folk/Rock style with Indian Ocean's Rahum Ram being the male lead vocalist. He is accompanied by another phenomenal singer Jyoti Nooran. 

The original lyrics are written by Sant Rahim and Vishal Bhardwaj composes an engaging tune for the same. The electric guitars are like a hook right at the start and we get caught in it, it's that good. Debarpito Saha plays the guitars and he has also produced the song. The music is haunting at times, and Debarpito must take credit for the tone and sound design. The drums, electric guitars, and harmonies all help achieve that.

The tune feels like it has Raag Sindhubhairavi influences. Jyoti is in amazing form singing the lines in the higher vocal register. My favourite line is "Roothe sajna manaiye, jo roothe sau baar" and it is performed with incredible gusto by the lead as well as additional vocalists. The interlude on the electric guitar is tantalising and then what follows is even better, "andar aag lagi rahe". The percussions are high-octane inducing towards the end. The tracks are mixed by Alok Punjani @Studio208 (Mumbai) and mastered by Christian Wright @abbeyroadstudios (London)

@debarpito @vishalrbhardwaj @alokpunjani @rahulnram @jyoti.nooran.1998 

9. Vertigo

Written, Composed and Sung by Janaki Easwar.

Music Production and Arrangement - Varkey

Guitars and Co-Arrangement - Sujith V V

Guitars and Co-Arrangement - Sreeshankar

Language: English

Genre: Pop

We have the 3rd song from Music Mojo and Kappa Originals in their latest 7th season. This is an enchanting slow, melody produced by Varkey. He has been featured a few times for his light music style of melodies from Mollywood over the years. This indie project is quite different from most of his prior work and the vocals belong to a sizzling Janaki Easwar.

The intro guitars felt like "Imagine" by John Lennon, and that itself was a great way to get my attention. Sujith VV and Sreeskankar play the guitars and also handle the arrangements in part. Janaki has written the melody and lyrics and she deserves a huge credit for both. Lines like " I Thought you were my silver lining, turned you are a cloud in the sky". 

Even the title line is smartly written "Vertigo, I dont know where to go, walking with my shoelaces untied". The accompanying guitars, bass and Piano are perfectly able to add effect and impact. Janaki delivered one of the best vocal performances I have heard in the last few months. Varkey and Sujith are the mixing engineers, with Vivek Thomas on mastering duties.

@janaki_easwar @varkeyhere @sujith_v_v @sree107 @kappaoriginalsofficial @musicmojo.kappa

10. Kaise Kahein 

Singer/songwriter - Anushka Gupta

Composer - Anushka Gupta

Producer - Robin Singh Patial

Language: Hindi

Genre: Alt-Rock

It feels exciting to write about an artist I have never featured or heard before. Anushka Gupta is the singer/songwriter I am referring to and here she displays her potential in writing the melody as well as the lyrics and beautifully executing the vocals. Her musical talents flourish like the beautiful town of Shimla where she hails from.  

The freshness and innocence in her voice is an unmatched beauty and it keeps taking me back to the song. The Antara is excellently written "ab tere bina main jaaon kahan", musically and lyrically as well. Then we get to the chorus segment which is loaded with guitars and drums. This is where Robin Singh Patial produces the song delightfully. The electric guitar interludes are brilliant and elevate the song to a higher plane.

The outro is a jugalbandhi between the drums and guitars is a fitting end to the song. The recording, mixing and mastering transpired at Silent Noise Studios. 

@_anushka_gupta_ @robinnmusic @insilentnoise 

11. Coming Home

Music - Rohansh Pandit & Abeer Pandit 

Singers - Neel Khosla & Siddharth Basrur 

Lyrics - Neel Khosla, Rahul B Seth 

Language: English

Genre: Anthem

The World Peace Anthem was launched at the World Culture Festival organised by the Art of Living. Aimed at Global Harmony the event was held at the National Mall in Washington DC. This project was set to also launch young musicians onto the world stage. It perfectly fits the bill of an anthem and the music is composed by Rohansh Pandit & Abeer Pandit.

The vocalists who take up the lead and transmit the energy are Neel Khosla and Siddharth Basrur. The chorus segment is inspiring when they sing "Coming Home" and to match up to this we have some noteworthy production on keys and rhythms. I love the line " We can all achieve peace and unity, if we learn to let go". The backing vocalists are singing "vasudaiva kutumbakam", creating an uplifting impact and I think what we hear towards the end is the voice of Sri Sri Ravishankar. 

Neel and Rahul B Seth are the lyricists, with Rohansh Pandit, Divyansh Jain on additional lyrics. 

@iamrohanshpandit @neelkhosla @warnermusicindia @dc_kahanikaar

@abeerpandit @siddharthbasrur @rahulbseth_official 

12. Inayat

Written, composed and performed by: Anant Goyal

Music Production: Aditya Shukla

Language: Hindi

Genre: Indie Pop

Anant Goyal impressed me with his vocal tone and delivery strength, he looked like a guy who possessed great stability in his voice. The singing had some emotional tentacles attached and he could show that angle while performing. Anant has also written these beautiful lyrics and composed the melody. 

The Keys and synths are a huge part of the song and I feel the Organ Piano sound dominating, like a Coldplay song. Aditya Shukla excels as a producer and he is also a mixing and mastering engineer. The song's outro is dreamy with its ending notes on the Piano, wishing it never ended. Sagar Verma is the recording engineer at Anchor Studios, Gurugram. 

@sagarvermamusic @bunnssss_ @anantgoyall