Top Indian Songs of the week 17th May 2026

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Here are the best songs released in India across languages and genres for the week ending 17th May 2026

1. Religious

Written and performed by RANJ

Music Produced by Raj and Clifr

Language: English

Genre: R&B/Hip-Hop

Mood: Groovy

This is my favourite track in the mammoth 27 track Mixtape released recently by RANJ, and you can go check out my full-length review of this massive list of Hip-Hop, R&B, Tamil folk music on my IG page. Please do go and listen, and this is easily the best of 2026 I have heard yet. RANJ takes over all the writing duties, and she delivers a masterclass in songwriting. The opening pianos and basslines are succulent in this track, and we have her ususal collaborator Clifr, a master of his own game, on music production as well as Raj. The rhythms kick in some Calypso, Reggae style and the Cello, by Adiel Massar, help in infusing some pathos and gravity. The sound of Maracas as the percussion instrument, with some vocal intervention by Raj, brings us to the end of the intro and the magical voice of RANJ

She is an A-lister when it comes to hip-hop. and the associated energies of that style, but here RANJ is simply decimating all doubts and showcasing some fantastic singing. The attitude, the falsettos, and the improvisation all are top-notch and let us remember her writing and words are the unique selling points. The harmonies add on when she sings “ I gotta say, you make me feel like maybe I'm religious” , as a music lover, you start feeling religious too, if this woman was a vocal Goddess. That hint of woodwinds, by Louk, in the background with the bass guitars, by Raj, simply lifts my spirits. Here comes the champion rapper in RANJ, and when I hear her say “growing up i thought there might be an answer, Life is like a rhythm and truth is a dance,” I feel like I'm sitting in a lecture series on the philosophies of life and truth. 

This is what writing should be like, for music lovers to sit with their ears open and words that can transform and teach and inspire us. How does she envision these and write words that jump off the black-and-white screens and go into our grey cells? Wow , looks liek her writing has inpsired me too. She says, “And I don't believe there's a way up. Heaven only exists on paper, and if they preach to you ‘bout the maker, tell ‘e, to pay up”. Is this Religious or the Sacrilegious? Who cares when it is the truth and it sounds like this in this voice? I love how Louk teases and plays that flute solo and a big round of applause needs to be directed at the song’s primary producer Raj. There are so many elements with the flowy pianos, seductive basslines, sumptuous woodwinds and the foot-tapping rhythms. The tracks are mixed and mastered by Vivek Thomas.

@ranjaniramdoss @louk_around_you @rajkanwarsodhi @clifr_ @weneedasecretlife @speedysahana @ranjxclifr 

2. Bewakoof

Composed and Arranged by Sreekesh Menon

Lyrics: Anshita Menon

Vocals: Kalika Mathur

Music Produced by Nikhil Sebastian

Language: Hindi

Genre: Ghazal/Pop

Mood: Romantic

Just like the name suggests, don't be a Bewakoof and miss out on this beautiful track that feels like the evening wind. The chirping of the birds wakes you up from the slumber, and that whiff of the electric violin throws you into the ring, ready to face the music, literally. Sreekesh Menon has composed the melody and done all the arrangements, with lyrics by Anshita Menon and the sparkling vocals of Kalika Mathur. The string arrangements are generous, and this feels like a Ghazal with all its melodic and poetic quality. “Hum Tumse Ishq kar bhaite hain”, and that is all I need to hear to travel back in time and hold my lover’s hand for the very first time. Is there some Bilawal Thaat influence in the melody?. Maybe.

The Tabla flows on, and Kalika serenades me, with my heart becoming heavy and a few tears down my cheek. How have I not heard this singer before? “ Isi liye Humein Shikwa nahin, aur tere pyaar ka ehsaas”. The Keys, strings and rhythms combine so effectively, and yet they never intrude with the sanctity of the melody and the magic of the vocals. Nikhil Sebastian is the man who handles all music production and sound design, as well as mixing and mastering. Being called a fool has never sounded so peaceful and beautiful “Bewakoof ho tum. jo tumhe mohabbat ka matlab na pata”. I recall the charanam portion of  this glorious love song by Maestro Ilaiyaraja, “ Un parvaiyil” set in Raag Bihag (Bilawal Thaat).

We get layers of the acoustic guitar, violin, and woodwinds in the interlude, and what transpires in the Antara feels heavenly, and credit goes to Sreekesh's composition. “Agar humse pyaar karte toh” depicts simple words of love, but the melody and Kalika’s harkatein are nothing short of heavenly. The artwork is by Solaman Joseph. 

@sreekesh.menon @its_kalikamathur @tbhansh @soularts_ @nikplaysbass 

3. Entho Annu De

Music composed and produced by Gulraj Singh

Vocals: Sidhanshu Sanjeev Sivan and Aishwarya Kumar

Lyrics: BK Harinarayanan

Language: Malayalam

Genre: Folk-fusion

Mood: Dance/Energetic

Gulraj Singh is going places, and he is that one composer I would be happy for as his name flourishes across the nation. Immensely talented, this composer not only writes beautiful melodies but also understands that every part of the country has its own flavour and sound. That's why he shines brilliantly in the Marathi movie space and now in Malayalam too; Gulraj strikes gold with the album “Achappan’s Album.” The intro Nadaswaram takes you into the rural parts of Kerala straightaway, and he chooses a nice tempo, so that the Nadaswaram is playfully engaging rather than taking us into a classical route. The accompanying hand cymbals, Chenda and Thavil, give the ideal percussion support as well.

The song is composed and produced by Gulraj with lyrics by BK Harinarayanan and lead vocals by Sidhanshu Sanjeev Sivan and Aishwarya Kumar. The Nadaswaram riffs come and go, but the song’s pallavi and anu pallavi have a nice melody, and we have Aishwarya singing it with such great energy and playfulness. The rhythm programming, along with the chorus chants, is a beautiful additional layer to up the ante. The charanam is where the vocal tone has a nice shift, and Aishwarya does a fine job of giving off some Sujatha vibes with her singing. Sidhanshu comes on board with the high-pitched lines, and he impresses with his delivery, his mild ghamakas in a very Shankar Mahadevan-esque zone. Is there some Raag Hamsadhwani influence in the melody? Maybe. Kudos to Gulraj Singh for creating this very playful, catchy single. The recording engineers are Vincent Joseph, Amey Londhe, and Vishnu Shankar. Ashish Saksena is the mixing and mastering engineer at Purple Haze Studios. 

@gulraj_singh @sanjeev_c_sivan @aishwarya.live @panoramamusic_south @sidhanshusanjeevsivan @anjanaappukuttan @priyankanairofficial @vincent.joseph.96

4. Kyun Mazaa Aa Raha Hai

Vocals and composition: Vishal Mishra

Lyrics: Shashwat Dwivedi

Music Produced by Aditya Dev

Language: Hindi

Genre: Jazz-Pop

Mood: Romantic

Krishna Pradhan makes his avatar feel alive, but it is not a flute, but these lead guitar riffs that shake things off in the intro. I am looking forward to this movie by Anurag Kashyap that did well in film festivals around the world, and Vishal Mishra composes and sings this breezy single from the album “Bandar”. The rhythm guitar, along with the lead guitar, leads us into the very first words of magic we hear from Vishal’s voice, “Jaadui”. The trumpets come in and intervene, and blow you away, with Kishore Soddha being the soloist and Aditya Dev handling all the arrangements and production. The tempo, rhythms and horns feel like a night out in a club playing some stylish Jazz music. 

The combined effect of Vishal’s humming and the Trumpet riffs is preicely the answer to Vishals question in the chorus “Kyun Mazaa aa raha hai”. The harmonies by these talented backing vocalists add such fine finesse thanks to Saloni Desai, Vaishnavi Shriram, Vaidehi Iyengar and Gauri Singhal. The interlude is the part that elevates the track, thanks to the flamboyant Trumpet Solo and some slow and teasing drums and guitars. Shashwat Dwivedi creates awe and romance with these words “Yeh kaisa jadoo tune kiya hai, tere siva sab mana kar raha hai”. The outro is where Vishal just explodes into excellence with his scat singing and improvisation. Harrsh Bhoir is the recording engineer at AMV Studio.

@vishalmishraofficial @shashwatdwivedi1 @adityadevmusic @salonidesaimusic @vaishnavi_shriram @gaurimusic07

5. Dushman Ka Dada

Singer: Amit Trivedi

Lyrics: Aarushi Kaushal

Music composed by Ajay Jayanthi

Music Produced by Parth Parekh

Language: Hindi

Genre: Pop

Mood: Energetic

Ajay Jayanthi is one of those gifted musicians who can don various hats and be at the top of his game in all those roles. As a soloist for Anand Bhaskar Collective, he can steal the thunder playing the savvy violin, Ajay can create a stirring piece of BGM in a movie/series, and he can also compose an energetic, original song like this. Sometimes I think that nothing works so magnificently like a kids' chorus, and there are numerous examples in Indian film music , such as the album “Anjali” by Maestro Ilaiyaraja. It is interesting that Ajay picks Amit Trivedi as the lead vocalist, maybe for that boisterous tone. He does get on board and gives that oomph in the vocal department, and the melody probably has fragments and influences of Rag Jog, if I am not wrong. 

The music production is by Parth Parekh, and he keeps the sound design in such a way that the energy is high and ecstatic. The moment we get that chorus segment with the humming by the kids and Amit, the song feels exuberant. Keshav Parthasarathy is the guitarist, and the kids’ chorus comprises Urav Mukherjee, Dhriti Gada, Gandhar Veerkar, Gaurangee Veerkar, Anshuman Dash and Sanaita Mahapatra. Arushi Kaushal writes these engaging and witty lyrics. When we hear these lines “Udta Parindah woh, Dushman ka dada woh”, the lead guitar, bass, chorus and rhythms create such a brisk wave that lifts all our spirits up. Sreerupa Ghosh is the coordinator for the kids’ chorus. A special round of appreciation is a must for the one who arranged the kids’ chorus. 

It is also very promising to hear Amit do some fancy harkatein as he sings this with full-on gusto. The highlight is when Ajay Jayanthi comes on and brings the roof down with his violin solo. It delivers such a variant energy, as the pathos of the violin neutralises all the reverberating energy of the song until then. The bridge section is also very creatively done with the kids’ chorus, and the ensuing heavy percussion once again transforms the mood of the song. The recording engineer is Krina Shah at Tonic- the sound factory, and the mixing and mastering is by Parth Parekh at Bay Music House. The music supervisors are Parth Pandya and Achint Thakkar. 

@ajayjayanthi @itsamittrivedi @zeemusiccompany @arushikaushal @nightsongrecords @raedita @sreerupag @heavy.fuel 

6. E Kanha Tu Kaha

Written and Performed by Mixdown Authority

Music Produced by Sayan Paramanick

Vocals: Hrishi Pandey

Language: Hindi

Genre: Semi-classical , Tumri Fusion

The Sarangi by Sudhendu draws you in to this world of classical music, and within seconds, we can identify that the melody has traces of Raag Puriya Dhanashree. At least that is what I hear. The Keys by Krishnendu and some gentle Tabla feel like the invocation to God, and we have an immersive semi-classical number here by Mixdown Authority. I must thank Songdew Network for sharing this song, and it feels like the perfect way to end a day amidst the abating heat and light of the summer evening. The aalap by the lead man, Hrishi Pandey is meditative, and one can only feel the power of the classical rendition by closing their eyes and opening their minds completely. 

Sayan plays the guitar and handles all the music production and arrangements. As soon as we hear the end of “Tu jag sara”, we get a lengthy phrase, but that feels like more of Raag Yaman to my ears, as Hrishi sings “Raahen dekhen naina kab se tere”. And once again, we are back to Puriya DHanashree at the ring of “E Kanha Tu Kaha”. The Harmonies, along with the Tabla and Harmonium is ethereal, but nothing tears down the heart into such deep melancholy like Sudhendu’s solo on the Sarangi. The ANtara just goes to dig deeper with a beautifully composed segment and delivered with great skill and technical propriety by Hrishi. He doesnt hold back and all the elaborate harkatein work in the song’s favor. 

@krishnendu_.05 @sudhendu_haldar @sayanparamanick_bittu @the_hrising @mixdown_authority

7. 21st Century Life

Written and Performed by SAANVI

Music Produced by Zain Boxwala

Language: English

Genre: Alt-Pop

Mood: Energetic

SAANVI’s song drew attention straight away, and I was might impressed by her singing as well as songwriting. She is one of the artists whom I loved from Songdew’s shortlist of recent music releases by young musicians. I am going to keenly track SAANVI’s progress henceforth. This song is written, composed and performed by her with music production by the respectable Zain Boxwala. The lead guitar by Aanika Pai and drums by Gino Banks open up the curtains stylishly, and SAANVI stuns you with her vocal tone and quality. The writing feels like a heartfelt message of broken trust and realisation about human ways, she sings “ should’ve known better, the way they perceive me, why’d I believe them, their hearts are filled with greed, oh”, and this is when the bankable Gino Banks explodes on drums.

“Keep the fire burning” and that is exactly what happens with the lead guitars and drums in a combined fit of rage and passion. I love how this youngster shows maturity when she writes, “ Its so overrated, I'm done with this 21st century life”. As a singer too SAANVI exhibits excellent abilities with every emotion delivered aptly, and also explores a nice vocal range, and you can sense that in the line “ Maybe I was, Happy all along”. Aanika Pai is no silent watcher as she intervenes with a fine solo in the interlude, and this is some face-melting stuff. The additional layer of backing vocals brings on an extra layer of goodness to the song. The tracks are mixed and mastered by Sunny MR. 

@saanvzi @aanika_pai @ginobanksofficial @zainboxwala @sunnymr

8. Love Again

Written and Performed by Maanuni

Lyrics Maanuni Desai

Music Produced by Shikhar Srivastav

Language: English

Genre: Jazz-Pop

Mood: Dreamy

This sultry Jazz single is all about the stunning vocal exhibition and some funky basslines. Maanuni is a terrific singer, and you will know that in the first few seconds as she does this free-flowing vocal improvisation, and the guitars by Rushikesh Nene do the trick of romanticising the single. Maanuni is taking the listener on a spiritual and sensual journey into absolute oblivion, and the fingers, rhythms, and lead guitar just make the setting all too mesmerising. She sings, “ I don't know what to say, I don't know what to feel.” But what she doesn't realise is that she is saying quite a lot and she is feeling quite a lot, and that is the power of her voice and tone.

Jeet Pathak is the bassist, and the overall sound design and music production glistens thanks to the brains of Shikhar Srivastav. She stuns me with that line “ I ain't even sure if they were even real” with that brief falsetto on the last word, and makes me wonder if what I heard was even real. The spirit of the song is what I love the most as Maanuni writes “I'll love again without you”, making us realise that no human is greater than the idea of love itself. It is a song of hope and never quitting in the face of adversity. The lead guitar solo is exhilarating, and it only ends up elevating expectations for what's about to come from Maanuni in the bridge section. The outro feels surreal thanks to the basslines and the harmonies. Outfly is the mixing and mastering engineer, and Rishika Seth is the music video director. 

@scarlettvictim @toc_mumbai @wtf_piyus08 @bass_ki_aawaz_kesi_hoti_hai @outflymusic @warnermusicindia @senyamua @_rishikaseth @shikhar.musica @rushikesh.nene @teasydigital 

9. samjhega kab?

Vocals and composition Shruti Mishra

Lyrics: Shruti Mishra

Music produced by Nakul Chugh

Language: Hindi

Genre: Pop

Mood: Romantic

Shruti Mishra has been featured by me on my website before, and this is another single released by her late last year. I somehow missed it, but I am glad I got hold of this through submission via Songdew, as Shruti writes, composes and performs the lead vocals with Nakul Chugh on music production. Shruti demonstrates what Western pop vocals must sound like with all her improvisation and delivery techniques. Nakul Chugh keeps it mild and minimal with his rhythm and keyboard programming, never taking up the limelight. I love the prechorus part where she sings “ tujme hi mil gaya mujhe mera hi rabb” as the harmonies kick in and she seamlessly moves from Hindi to English lyrics. 

The chorus segment is a question as this lady, hopelessly in love, wants to know when her man will undersrtand her, hence the pause after “samjhega kab?” with some riffs on keys. The song allows Shruti to flourish as a vocalist, and you can sense the emotions too when she is singing “ aise feeling ko kya kahe”, with those suave falsettos. The vulnerability, the core emotion of the protagonist, in her voice, is what I love hearing in this romantic single. Nakul and Shruti are the backing vocalists, the mixing and mastering is by Hanish Taneja, and the recording engineer is Mrinal Das at Playhead Studio.

@shrutimishramusic @nakulchughh @mrinal.das.334 @mixedbyhanish

10. Wide Awake

Written, Composed and Performed by Alexandra Joy and Prashanth Venkat

Produced by Prashanth Venkat

Mixed and mastered by Pradeep Menon

Language: English

Genre: Pop

Mood: Dreamy

Prashanth Venkat is a music composer/producer who has been involved with the insurmountable AR Rahman himself in various projects, and when you hear this gentle pop track, you will know why the Mozart of Madras himself would have been elated to see his proteges, Prashanth and Alexandra Joy, shine through like this. The lead vocalist is Alexandra, who did a fine job in AR Rahman’s “Kadhalikka Neramillai”. Alexandra sings with such elegance, and her delivery, thanks to the tenderness, feels soothing as she sings “making me wonder, you're making me wonder how your hands don't know me”. It is just the rhythm guitars that support, played by Prashanth. The song gets elevated with the introduction of the harmonies that go “ Hold On, I'll Hold on to what we never had”. 

Prashanth and Alkexandra Joy combine in writing the melody and lyrics. What we have here is a melody that touches our hearts and words that pierce right through. The stunning part is that while we get to the phrase “Wait here, I'll wait here”, Alexandra sings it without any decoration, but the harmonies present some delicate vibrato and improvisation. The chorus segment becomes a phrase that truly mesmerises, accompanied by Keys and rhythms. Alexandra sizzles as the song progresses; the beautiful vocalisation at the end of the second verse is evidence of that. This is followed by a humming, some pumped-up rhythm and riffs on keys, all of which establish Prashanth’s abilities and contribution as the song’s music producer. The music video stars Shreelakshmi Vijay, with direction by Hari. 

@shreelakshmi_vijay @carbon_data @label3.films @alexandra_joy_music @prashanth_._venkat @_shxmitha_

@pradeep_prady_