Top Indian Songs of the week 22nd September 2024

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Here are the best songs released in India across languages and genres for the week ending 22nd September 2024

1. Kyun

Written & Performed by: Karan Verma

Produced by: Karan Verma, Ameen Singh

Guitar: Ameen Singh

Language: Hindi

Genre: ALt-Rock

Mood: Energetic

It was just last week that I featured Karan Verma's rock single 'Main Kahan' as the number 1 song in India, and here he is again with another blinder. We get the Accordion in the prelude played by Nipun Cheema adding that European flavour straightaway, and feels like listening to some stunning Latin Jazz Rock. The melody and lyrics are written by Karan with Ameen and Karan producing the record. 

The bass and lead guitars are played stunningly by Ameen, to provide that lush layer behind the captivating vocals of Karan. "kyun khud se ladto hai tu" he sings and this mystery that Karan raises is enhanced by the thump in the drums almost like Karan is enraged a bit by this question lingering in his mind. Shiv Sameer plays the drums and the keyboardist is Arjit Singh a.k.a. Agaazz. With incredible ease, Karan reaches the higher vocal registers and he performs it with beauty too in his unique way and tone at a time when the entire fraternity wants to copy Arijit Singh. 

The song gives way and space for the lead guitar solos to shine and the drums to energize. This is why the record works in every way possible. The tracks are mixed and mastered by Stereo Shinobi and recorded at L.A. Studios, LATF Studio, Beat Craft Studio, Tweaktone Studios. 

@karan.verma95 @agaazz_music @shivsameerr @nipun.cheema @dopameen23 @maan_boruah @mixedbyshinobi @awal 

2.  Move On Easily

Composition, lyrics, vocals: Neha Karode

Music production: Brince Bora

Additional production: Madhab Deka

Language: English

Genre: Pop Ballad

Mood: Pathos (Break-up)

I always love the work of Neha Karode, because here you see someone who strives to create original music and doesn't digress from her core strengths. The way she composes melodies with a flavour of Western Jazz and Pop, but instils Indian Classical elements in her vocals excites me. This single tilts towards Western influences and Neha deserves praise for the beautiful melody.

The Piano is emphatic and her lines are striking without mincing words. She sings " I'm sure you tell him she's beautiful, the way you told me too. We were perfect cos I never ask you the names, of the girls you talked to". All these words flow beautifully like a story, but just then a mild pathos emerges in the words, the delivery and the arrangements. "I'd laugh at those who just get up and move on easily, so it's a shame you did the same and made me cry". The intense lines and the strings section add to the gravity of the scenario, while Neha's falsetto gives the element of heartbreak. 

The interlude is heavy on the solo violin, strings section and Piano, letting the protagonist breathe before the second verse. The melody is so rich and beautiful when we hear " All the messages of Affirmation every day, whispering me sweet nothings that you were here to stay" is so well written in terms of chord progression and is impactful lyrically. Kudos to Brince Bora for the stunning arrangements and production. This is a breakup anthem that I strongly recommend to music lovers. The bridge section is also the outro, and Neha sings magnificently evocating all the pain. The recording engineer is Mrinal Kanti Das and the tracks are mixed by Rupjit Das at Playhead Studio and mastered by Gethin John at Haod Mastering. Madhab Deka does all the additional production. The wonderful shoot is done by Director and DOP Shivangi Jain

@nehakarode_music @horusmusicindia @brincebora @madhabdeka @mrinal.das.34 @playheadstudio @rupjit_playheadstudio @hafod_mastering @shivangaze 

3. Main Character Energy

Written and performed by: Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, Jhalli

Produced and mixed by: Karan Pandav

Language: English

Genre: Pop

Mood: ENergteic

These are two amazing artists and maybe their fame skyrocketed after featuring in the movie as actors in supporting roles in 'Jawan' last year. Their skills and talent lie elsewhere too, and here are Sanjeeta Bhattacharya and Jhalli (Aaliyah Qureishi) turning on the heat with scintillating energy. Sanjeeta and Jhalli. The singing is excellent and nothing less can be expected from these artists, and with Karan Pandav's production, we get a pulsating pop single led by solid keys, synths and rhythm programming.

I love the part " Lights, Camera, Action, We're on paid vacation, bitches test my patience, but with you by my side, issa vibe issa vibe" helped by good vocal arrangements too in the background. The song oozes such amazing vibes when we get to the chorus segment. Th e writing feels like a celebration of women in their 20s who are here to rule our society, nation and the world. More power to them! Sanjeet and Jhalli do a fantastic job of conveying all this through their thoughtful and inspiring words like " Woo, we manifesting our own destiny, roading 20s yeah you know we making history, walk out in the streets, you feel our electricity, Yeah we got that main character's energy". It feels like the two artists are paying tribute to their roles in the movie 'Jawan'

The verse where Jhalli and Sanjeeta take turns and perform in falsetto is a treat to the ears. If I have to make a comparison, we had a few releases by the new girl band called W.IS.H., but their music pales in comparison to what we hear here. Maybe the former should take inspiration from these Main Characters. The tracks are mixed by Karan Pandav and mastered by Krishna Jhaveri. Nivedita Mahesh is the director of the music video with Ishani DAs as the DOP. 

@sanjeeta11 @jhalliverse @karanpandav @citizenkna @ishaniidas @niveditamahesh_ @hustlerani @ashleshathaakur @dalaiallegedly @paakhibaranwal @shlokashuklaa @imjustsidd_ @mehultak18 @

4.  Barsan

Producer, Arranger: Nakul Chugh

Composer: Madhubanti Bagchi

Vocals: Madhubanti, Nakul

Lyricist: Alok Ranjan Srivastava

Language: Hindi

Genre: Semi-classical Pop

Mood: Romantic

Here come two fabulous artists, one is a trained vocalist with a sensational voice and popularity now in Bollywood and a rising young producer with a great understanding of arrangements and output. I have featured Madhubanti Bagchi as well as Nakul Chugh numerous times and it is indeed a dream to feature this single which also has a talented lyricist collaborating in the mix viz. Alok Ranjan Srivastava.

The dreamy electronic pop mood is set in the intro, and we get Nakul's vocals taking it into the first verse of this semi-classical pop fusion single. Madhubanti makes grand vocal entry and I am now mesmerised by her line " Honton ki aanch se, tune chua mujhe". Take a bow, Madhubanti for composing this beautiful melody. The chorus segment is a treat to the ears as the lead vocalists go " barsan laagi badariya, jhoom jhoom ke" maybe with a hint of Raag Desh or maybe Malhar. 

The production and sound design are emphatic with all the modern sounds garnishing the melody. The verse that follows the interlude of some aalap is stunning with Madhubanti and Nakul just in pulverizing form. The melody is king as proven by Madhubanti and the segment "lafzon se arz kya hamein, aankhon ne jo suni, khamoshiyan teri" is loop-worthy. Kudos to Alok for the beautiful words

The keyboard programming and rhythms are amped up in the outro with the drops and pauses accompanied by aalaps. 

@nakulchughh @hashtag.jazbaat @bagchi_bm @believemusicindia

5. Raaste

Written, Composed and Performed: Amrita Sinha and Siddhant Mishra

Produced: Siddhant Mishra

Language: Hindi

Genre: Pop

Mood: Pathos

Siddhant Mishra is one talented composer and an even better Producer in my opinion and when I listen to his work the takeaway is always something to cherish and ponder. That is the effect of good music on me. Here he composes, writes and performs the lead vocals with Amrita Sinha. The terrific arrangements and production are by Siddhant. 

The tonality induces pathos and that can straightaway be sensed with the prelude and the heavy Piano punches in. Siddhant's vocal timbre too aligns with this setting of sadness. I love the female humming that is the same melody as the line " Tere mere raaste, ho gaye duur kyun". The interlude builds on the sentiment, with the mild woodwinds kind of sound. Amrita impresses on vocals in the verse and delivers the lines with perfect emotional pitch is so beautiful to hear and it leaves a lasting impression hearing the lines "kehno ko kya baaki rah gaya, jo tha so tha rehde do". The arrangement scores with the Cello intervening at the end of the line, thanks to Leo. 

Kudos to the writing as I can hear the song over and over just to let the sadness and longing seep in. "Phir kabhi kisi mod pe kahin, jo tum nazar aaoge, kaash tum is baat ki waje mujhe keh paoge kabhi" is a great combination of lyrics, notes, vocals and arrangements. Congratulations to the team for the fantastic output given to us. I hope 'raaste' finds its way into your playlist, dear reader. The tracks are mixed by Srikar MN and mastered by Shadab Rayeen. The recording engineer is Mrinal Das at Playhead Studio.

@siddhant581 @amritasinhaofficial @leo_velho_10 @mrinal.das.334 @playheadstudio @srikarmn @shadabrayeen @anupvanup @sanjay____chetry 

6. Slice of Me

Written, composed and performed by Navaneeth Narayanan.

Production: Sanjai Shine, Balaji Krishnan

Language: English

Genre: Pop

Mood: Contemplative

Navaneeth Narayanan is getting featured for the very first time and it is one slice of his abilities as a musician. I fell in love with the track as it had everything to give the listener some freshness and an enriching feeling. Navaneeth thanks his mentor and vocal coach Mahesh Raghunandan for what he has been able to achieve as a singer today and the level of mentorship shows. The flowy guitars and rhythms give some solid thrust to the song and the bass gives the strong roots of style and purpose amid all the rush. The song is produced by Sanjai Shine and Balaji Krishnan

Navaneeth brings in some very relevant and smart writing as he sings "You try to grab a piece of imagination, you often slip into a world of fiction, the only thing that matters is fair expression". The lines that follow are my favourite notationally with the phrase " And I can't hold on " . The song has some sufficient production elements to make it sound wholesome like the Keys and the strings section, so kudos to the programming. It makes me believe that Navaneeth has created something with a purpose and that is why we see such clarity in his writing as he goes " As naked as I can be, maybe you'll love me or hate me, but nothing in between, so here is a slice of me" 

The melody never has a dull moment and you will find the soothing humming coming in as an interlude. The creativity shows up as Navaneeth takes the tempo down a couple of notches in the next verse allowing the listener to look deeper into the slice that he is offering. Check out some lead guitar interventions as well just ahead of the outro. Kudos to Sanjai and Balaji on the fabulous arrangements and production. The tracks are mixed by Balaji and mastered by Thomas Juth. 

@navaneeth.here @maheshmusic @sanjaishine @balaji_r_krishnan 

7.  Barkha

Singer : Prateeksha Srivastava

Music Production: Suyash & Danny

Lyrics & Composition: Suyash, Danny & Prateeksha Srivastava

Language: Hindi

Genre: Pop fusion

Mood: Romantic

I just cannot lie in "Prateeksha" anymore, when I see her name in the credits. The pun was intended. Prateeksha Srivastava is a fantastic vocalist with a voice that lifts your spirits when you hear just a fragment of it. She also weaves some Indian classical music into her singing with those tantalising ghamakas and I love that even more. Prateeksha is a star I urge all readers to listen to, and here she works with Suyash and Danny in writing the lyrics and composing the melody. 

You can feel the sensation that she is as she sings "Barkha aayo re". I love the gentle but sure rhythms that are quite interesting metallic sounds. The influx of the female chorus with the Dhol and traditional Rajasthani folk is very creative. Is there some influences of Raag Hamsadhwani? Things move into the EDM zone all showing the ability of these skilled producers. The verse is just an avenue for Prateeksha to show her indomitable vocals skills as she sings "luk chup kheloon hawaaon se". The outro with the swaras and the upbeat rhythms is a great end to the enjoyable track. 

@officialprateeksha @beleivemusicindia @dannymusic77 @allbyplay @mix.n.vibe

8.  Badra

Performed by Nupoor Khedkar

Written by IP Singh, Nupoor Khedkar

Produced by Meet Vyas

Language: Hindi

Genre: Pop fusion

Mood: Pathos

Nuppor Khedkar knows just how to write a melody and it is always taken with a little inspiration from Indian classical ragas. This is essential to give richness and high melodic value to the tune and that formula is leveraged here too. The Sarod accompanies along with Nupoor's affecting vocals. The keyboard and rhythm programming gives the essential colouring to be made presentable to the wider audience. 

The Tabla and Sarod confluence in the interlude is a nice pathway to head into the melancholic verse that goes "meethi meethi jalan jo hai yeh" and then what follows seems like a touch of Raag Jog to me. Meet Vyas has done fine work on the production. The lyrics are written to pierce through our hearts carrying those words of mild pathos thanks to the brilliant IP Singh. There is so much warmth in the tone that Nupoor exudes. Carl Nazareth brings everything together with his mixing skills. The video was shot and directed by Utkarsh Masand. 

@meetvyasofficial @nupoorkhedkar @safirock @firstwav

@carlnazareth @utkrshmsnd

9.  What Will Be

Written, composed and performed by: Kashmira Khot

Production, Sound Engineering, Arrangements: Aditya Gopalkrishnan

Language: English

Genre: Soft Rock

Mood: contemplative

It's been a while since I featured Kashmira Khot, and I am so glad that she's back with another delightful soft-rock single. Kashmira is a gifted and trained vocalist and so I am not surprised as she delivers the verse with stunning ease. The melody is composed by KAshmira and she piles on some heavy feelings with her words. But the song crosses the pre-chorus segment and we get a decorative production by Aditya Gopalkrishnan. 

The lead guitars by Aditya and bass Niraj Pandit add oomph to the song as background layers, and just then Kashmira launches a bazooka with "cos there's is no telling if there's even a right way to fall in love" as she sings in the upper vocal registers and having some fabulous harmonies humming in the background. This is my favourite portion of the song. Kudos to Aditya who just keeps doing his thing on the electric guitar right through the second verse. 

@lemon_law @_renukah @____niraj_ @kashmirakhot

10.  Lamhein Wahi

Written, performed and composed by KhoslaRaghu

Written by Rishabh Raghuvanshi

Language: Hindi

Genre: Pop Fusion

Mood: Romantic

Yes, the duo of KhoslaRaghu are featured quite often in my lists and I blame it on their consistently good work. They have this hold on their artistry and originality and every time they churn out a song, it just moves you a step closer towards tranquillity. Sachit Khosla and Rishabh Raghuvanshi are in prime form in this single. The lyrics are penned by Rishabh and the duo composes the melody, performs and produces this record with some wonderful arrangements and programming.

The vocal layers start sounding dreamy when they combine and the strings section arranged in the background adds depth. The fact that melody and delivery bring about a very Indian semi-classical flavour makes me fall in love with their songs all the time. The up beat rhythms and the line that follows "kaise re kaise re kuch pal ki yeh yaari" is my favourite segment. The outro is levitating thanks to the vocal harmonies and keys. 

@khoslaraghumusic 

11.  Barf

Music - Ana Rehman, Shubham Shirule

Singers - Ana Rehman, Shubham Shirule

Lyrics - Shubham Shirule

Programmed by - Shubham Shirule

Language: Hindi

Genre: Pop

Mood: Romanic

I first heard both Ana Rehman and Shubham Shirule when they created some fascinating stuff for Jam8 Studios and their brand of original indie music under Pritam's mentorship. I have been impressed and waiting for more releases by such amazing artists. The duo has both performed the lead vocals and composed this very strikingly beautiful melody. We get the acoustic guitar support of Veljon Noronha.

Ana captivates you with a deep and vulnerable tone and the minimal production helps us focus on the lyrics and vocals. Shubham picks up from the intro and his vocals are delightful too. The guitars and bass by Veljon pick up in intensity giving us a very enjoyable pre-chorus and chorus segment. The interlude has the woodwinds and the verse once again begins with Ana's singing. This is where someone like Jasleen Royal should take inspiration from. There is a marked difference between sounding morose and sounding weak. 

Shubham does all the keys and rhythm programming and also pens the beautiful words. I love the guitar riffs in the outro by Veljon giving the song the perfect goodbye. The tracks are mixed and mastered by Pranav Gupta. 

@shubhamshirule @veljon6noronha @pranavgupta_27 @vive_musicentertain @ana_rehman

12. Thinking About You

Performed by Pelican Shuffles

Written by Pelican Shuffles, Varun Gujadhur

Produced by Rohan Ganguli, Pelican Shuffles

Language: English

Genre: Punk Rock

Mood: Energetic

Get your system rebooted if you were down and sitting in the doldrums, the Pelican Shuffles are here with some booster of a song called "Thinking About You". The guitar riffs in the intro give answers straightaway and they don't want to waste any time recharging your batteries. This Kolkatta-based rock band is a 4 piece act with Varun Gujadhur on lead vocals and guitars, Subhomoy Mitra as the bassist, Sounak Roy as the drummer and Prashant Gujadhur as the lead guitarist.

The drums and bass guitars ante up the style and energy and with the vocals of Varun we get a joyful ride of a song. It reminds me of the great Aussie rock band 'Men at Work', just going by the tone and sound design of the song. Varun writes these romantic lyrics as well pouring love with ", WHats with the hurry, Thinking about you". Rohan Ganguli is on the music production and he does break away from all kinds of arrangements to give moments of pause, and at the same time, there are times of madness on the lead guitars, drums and keys like the outro for example. 

@peilcanshuffles @chickirhcp @adityaduttamusic @shalini_ganguli @god_v_g 

13. Hadd Paar

Arranger, Producer, Composer, Lyricist: Osho Jain

Language: Hindi

Genre: Folk-Pop

Mood: Happy

Osho Jain is someone who has an unmistakable and distinct voice. The originality of his tone, music and writing keeps him a few steps ahead of the rest of the Indie musicians in the Hindi space especially. I always listen to his music like a life lesson and it is comparable to Abhangas for their folkish tunes and words of wisdom.

It is just the mild Piano in the prelude and I already start sensing some Raag Hamsadhwani influences in the melody with Osho's magnetic vocals beginning. He has composed the melody, written the lyrics, performed the lead vocals and produced too. I love the layers of vocals induced now and when he sings "jahan sab jaane se sab darte hain, wahan chalte hain, hadd paar karte hain" making me believe that it is now a call for many of us to cross those limits, inspiration lines for sure. 

The acoustic guitars and rhythms give it a lush pop feeling. Then comes a simple melody in the interlude and it feels like an ethnic stringed instrument. His writing continues to make the heart flutter and travel far like "Jahan zameen asman milte hain, jahan lafzon se sur miltein hain". The outro has excellent arrangements of rhythms and percussions which feel like a sojourn in the hills of Himachal Pradesh or Uttarakhand. 

@oshojain_ @sanchhhii