Top Indian Songs of the week 28th Aug 2022

1. Lavinia 

Performed by Prabhtoj Singh

Written by Aman Sagar, Prabhtoj Singh

Language English

Genre Indie Pop 

These two musicians just combine and come up with some fantastic music viz. Aman Sagar and Prabhtoh Singh. I have featured their wonderful songs "Angela" and "You belong with me" and I get thoroughly impressed with their work. We have Aman Sagar who recently won the Jio Saavan's SPOTTED contest's Hindi version. He has written, played the guitars, and synths, mixed, and produced the track. Prabhtoj Singh's vocals resemble the wonderful pop of the 1990s that is just supposed to be heard on your walkman sporting baggy Jeans. It takes us back to those good times, and he is also backed up on vocals by Aman. Danik Ghosh plays the funky bass and it is Aveleon Giles Vaz on drums. The electric Piano adds style and purpose thanks to Rythem Bansal and I can imagine playing this song or even singing it to impress my woman if only I could get that coolness quotient of Prabhtoj. I love the bridge version, accompanied by very noticeable changes to the beats on the drums and the harmonies. Prabhtoj has co-written the lyrics and he delivers the lines with incredible style, and the song is right at the top of the charts for these multiple factors 

2. Intezaar

Performed by, Composer, Writer: Harshad Sathe

Language: Hindi

Genre: Rock Classical Fusion

Well, I heard this track one fine morning as I was walking and this rock-classical fusion number just made me take notice. Harshad Sathe is on fire in this number writing, composing, singing and producing it. The instrumental arrangements give a very pure rock texture. He then sings the best line of the song " Shayad na mile, tere kadmon ki nishaan", and the way he ends the line vocally is bliss. This is the part which made me bet that there is some Raag Cahrukeshi influence in the song, and later when I discussed it with Harshad, he tells me that there are also some definite influences of Bhimpalasi and Bageshri, and the fusion elements reminded me of the great Indian rock bands of the 2000s. The use of another layer of vocals kind of vocals. After we hit 3 minutes, it is all about Bhushan Chitnis the producer/guitarist who just goes berserk on the electric guitar solo 

3. Mere Baare 

Singer - Simran Raj

Lyrics and Composer - Jaani

Music - Hunny Bunny

Language - Punjabi

Genre - Melody

Jaani has worked along with B Praak a lot in Punjabi melodies before and they always have sounded fantastic. In fact, before knowing the composer, I commented that Simran Raj has just sung it like a female version of BR Praak, and how right I was. The style of the song bears similarities to the B Praak ones we know, owing to the common composer. Jaani has also written the lyrics and it is Hunny Bunny who has produced the number. But all the lion's share of credits must go to Simran for her outstanding vocals, and it is unimaginable how she reaches for such high notes with delicate ease. The emotional outrage that Simran brings with her appropriate delivery is fantastic. This could very well be one of the best vocal performances of 2022 so far. Hunny Bunny do well on the rhythm and keyboard programming, and Arvind Khaira handles the video direction part. The track is mixed and mastered by Akash Bambar and Gurjinder Guri

4. What we could be

Performed, written by Kiara Chettri

Produced by Rohan Solomon

Language - English

Genre - Indie Pop

Do I need to even write and praise this youngster? Well, it is my job, but what kind of words do I use to celebrate her vocals and writing? Maybe my recommendation and just mentioning her name are good enough. If you remember Kiara Chettri's "Why" made it to global Indie charts and that too at the very top. So I was not even a bit surprised by this delivery and her absolute dominance when she sings every note. There is not a flat or dull moment and it is like listening to that young, restless and uber-talented Avril Lavigne perform. Abhijit Sood is scintillating on drums with humongous energy exhibited, but the quality of the end product you hear is thanks to this Hulk of a producer called Rohan Solomon. I strongly urge you guys to listen to his production for other artists, as well as his self-written and composed songs. Rohan has also mixed the track with Dan Millice on mastering. Kiara goes for the kill in the end with some explosive vocals. Devangi Verma takes care of the album art. 

5. Koyaliya Bole

Singers: Abhay Jodhpurkar and Neha Karode

Composition and Lyrics: Neha Karode

Music: Rupjit Das

Language: Hindi

Genre: Classical-Fusion

Neha Karode is unstoppable as she experiments non-stop in the classical-fusion genre and we end up getting a very stylised version of a classic. She has composed and written the number and performed along with one of my favourite vocalists Abhay Jodhpurkar. Rupjit Das must be credited with all the production elements. Nantu Mukherjee plays the bass guitar and we have two flautists in Kiran Vinkar and Adwait Kashikar. Abhay's vocals are magnetic, to say the least. I thought that the song has some Raag Bhimpalasi, but Neha tells me it may have some mild similarities, although the song is inspired by Raag Malkauns. The flute segment with the drums and Keys paves the way for the classical fusion. Madhab Deka plays the keys, Shreedhara Chari is on Tabla, and Augustine Chettiar is on drums. Neha sings the second verse and she excels at her delivery moving from a normal scale to the higher end with no stress 

6. Always Meant To Be 

Vocals - Mayank Mittal, Sana Arora

Production - Kapow!

Composition, Lyrics - Pratyaksh Sharma

Language - English

Genre - Alt-Rock

What a cool name for a band, right? Yepp maybe they want to hit you hard with their music and maybe their songs pack a punch. I have featured them before and this is a song I was casually listening to in the queue of a boarding line at the airport. It drew me to such an extent that I almost lost my way and forgot to proceed toward the boarding gate. Mayank Mittal, the frontman of the band and Sana Arora are the lead vocalists. Vinod Arora plays the guitars gently but it is Puru who kills you with his bass guitars. The two vocalists start singing in unison, and their textures are different making the combination devastating. Sana's solo vocals are electrifying at the lower scales and it is impossible to not close your eyes and shake your head in total submission. Prakhar Srivastava plays the drums and he dictates the setting alternating between the thumping presence and mild hi-hat sounds. The best portion is when the singers go " When we start to miss it when we look around but there's no one by our side" and here there is stronger strumming of guitars, heavier drums and higher scales explored by the vocalists making it one tasty treat. Mukul Jain does the mix and master and the beautiful artwork is by Annie Hazarika. 

7. Chalo Theek Hai

Music Composer & Singer : Amaal Mallik

Lyrics : Kaushal Kishore

Music Produced By: Vaibhav Pani

Additional Music Production: Zeek

Language: Hindi

Genre: Melody

It has been a while since I featured the elder sibling Amaal Mallik, I think it was for the album 'Saina'. This is a single composed and performed by Amaal while it is guitarist/producer Vaibhav Pani who has produced this one with additional production by Zeek. Wholesome numbers like these are the ones that salvage some Hope for Hindi music and maybe Bollywood could still see the light of day, with talent lurking around. Dilshad Khan's Sarangi starts off and synchronously plays alongside western-sounding guitars by three absolute stalwarts viz. Sanjoy Das, Roland Fernandes and Vaibhav Pani. Amaal's vocal tone comes off as a younger version of Shankar Mahadevan. After the opening lines, the rhythm and keyboard programming is spectacular along with Amaal's humming. The stanza is mellowed down after that with some enticing backing vocals arranged and performed by Suzanne D'mello. Hanish Tanejas has mixed and mastered the track, with Ansh Radia as the recording engineer. Kaushal Kishore's beautiful words stand out. 

8. Crimson skies

Performed by Aidah Asrar, The Earflower Experiment

Written by Aidah Asrar, Astaaq Ahmed

Produced by Aman Saxena

Language: English

Genre: Indie Pop/ballad

I have heard the work of 'The Earflower Experiment' a few times and have been intrigued. This is one of Astaaq Ahmed's better projects and it gets amplified by Aidah Asrar's terrific vocals. Aidah also writes the lyrics along Astaaq and the track is produced by Aman Saxena. The guitars just lay the background work for Aidah's touching performance. This New Delhi-based one-man band goes for a very sober ballad here and Astaaq continues from where Aidah has left off vocally. The combination of the stunning guitar sounds along with multiple layers of lead and backing vocals truly feels beautiful like witnessing the crimson skies. The humming that comes in ten beginning also finds its way towards the end and this is one of the most uplifting segments of the song aided by some mild strings in the background. Dhruv Ganguly handles the artwork for the cover 

9. Saang Na

Vocals by Mugdha Karhade

Written and Composed by Ketan Mohite

Produced by Abhijay Sharma

This Mumbai-based producer, Songwriter has been featured more than a few times on my website for some influential and calming music. Keyan Mohite has an affinity for songs that are vastly influenced by heavy instrumentals and that is one more reason I am fond of this producer's work. Ketan has composed and written this Marathi number and Abhijay Sharma comes on board to produce this. The song is performed with exquisite and pop-styled vocals by Mugdha Karhade and I am reminded of Shalmali Kholgade's beautiful album last year called 'June'. The guitars and Keyboard programming are spot-on. 

10. Mine

Written, Produced, and Performed by Raaginder

Language: English

Genre: Indie Pop

In this 7-track EP, there is some very interesting music but I found this track called "Mine" most satisfying. Raaginder Momi s a California-based producer and violinist and he brings both those facets forward in this number. Saihaj Bajwa plays the guitars and he provides the support, but the focus keeps shifting between Raaginder's vocals, those interesting percussions, the Keyboard programming and most importantly the Violin layer in the background. At the halfway mark, be stunned by the Violin Solo, and that will be constantly playing on your mind and making you want more. The track is mixed by Raaginder and mastered by Kermode. 

11. Le Chal

Composer, Producer, Singer: Himonshu Parikh 

Lyrics: Himonshu Parikh, Rajan Batra 

Language: Hindi

Genre: Alt-Pop

The guy creates sounds that will just elevate your mood and spirits in no time, and he is the producer and Keyboardist for the uber-famous Punjabi Synth-Pop, Alt-rock band 'The Yellow Diary'(TYD). I love his production whether it is his single like this or for other budding singer-songwriters, and here Himonshu has sung, composed and produced. For those who loved 'Kesariya' from 'Brahmastra', I want to bring to their notice that it is Himonshu who produced the song for Pritam. TYD's frontman Rajan Batra has also worked with Himonshu and penned the lyrics. The Keys and rhythms lead into your trance and with Himonshu's charismatic vocals we just want to be carried away into a zone of bliss. Harshvardhan Gadhvi has played the guitars and the track is recorded by Samir Dharap and mixed and mastered by Sid Shirodkar. The song gets your mind travelling to places like the 1990s and early 2000s when some of the best global pop music mushroomed. 

12. Scarlet Skies

Lyrics and Song Composed by Swati Bhatt  

Arrangement and Production by Takar Nabam  

Vocals by Swati and Takar

Genre: R&B

Language: English

A couple of years ago I featured Swati Bhatt's song called "Reverie" and ever since I have been waiting for her next. Here it is as she combined with another consistent Indie musician who goes by the name Takar Nabam from Arunachal Pradesh. The song is right down that Rhythm & Blues zone and it is helped by Tiziano Bianchi's trumpets. Takar plays the acoustic, and bass guitars and also works on the Synths providing all the necessary instrumental support for this number that feels refreshing like a sundowner. Teji Toko plays the drums while Suyash Gabriel is on the percussion. The lyrics ask us to "slow down" and "stay still" and that is in perfect coherence with the style of the music, singing as well as arrangements. The humming and harmonies along with the guitar solo in the background are as pleasant as they come. Jake Owen has mixed the track and we have Mukul Jain and Haggai Rongmei as the recording engineers.

13. Zoobie Doobie

Performed by Little-Black-Dress

Written by Amit Verma Swapnil Gogoi

Genre: Punk Rock Alt-Rock

Language: Hindi

Little-Black-Dress is a band that has been performing for a while now and they specialise in Punk Rock and Alt-Rock. Amit Verma and Swapnil Gogoi of the band have written the song with Amit's lead vocals. It has all the elements that have to be available for the song to qualify as a rock number with adrenaline-pumping electric guitars ad drums and sensational singing. There is a moment where the song pauses, and slows down and we have an interlude dominated by a Piano solo which is more than what you can ask for. 

14. Ye Zindagi 

Performed, written by Shivang Arora

A solo effort by Shivang Arora who has written, composed and sung this soft and tender pop. I just love the Piano solo that comes in just past the 1st minute and it leaves a lasting impression on you despite being just barely present for the rest of the track. The guitar, drums and background harmonies add such beautiful layers to a simple song in structure and composition.  

15. Khone Do

Written by: Kanika Patawari, Anurvi Mehra

Produced by: Ysoblue, Kanika Patawari

Language: Hindi

Genre: Lo-fi, EDM, Fusion

It sounds like one of those Lo-fi and EDM tracks but behold a Sitar playing and slowly gaining traction and decibel levels rising. This just plays out into becoming very enjoyable with programmed Sitar sounds and rhythms. Ysoblue and Kanika Patawari have done the production with the latter performing the number. Anurvi Mehra and Kanika have written the song and the mixing is by Tyler Scott and mastered by Jett Galindo. The song is a foot-tapping dance-pop number  

16. Magic Potion

Music/Production - Viepsa

Lyrics - Viepsa 

Language: English

Genre: Indie pop

Viepsa Arora goes solo, on this breezy number as she writes, composes, produces and performs. I felt like I was listening to a seductress using some magi potion and enticing me through her voice, like the voice of Kaa in Jungle Book. This simply is me complimenting Viepsa's emotive delivery and execution in the singing. I could hear the bass guitars and the beautiful Flute and Woodwinds in the background. The ending lines singing "Don't wanna go home" despite being repeated so often still leave you wanting for more.