Top Indian Songs of the week 29th January 2023

Here are the best songs released in India across languages and genres for the week ending 29th January 2023. We have 9 indie songs and 1 film song in this list and at the top of the charts is a brilliant song that is bound to move you. 

1. Dil Da Pecha

Produced by Semwal & Agaazz

Lyrics by Hemant Vijh

Language: Punjabi

Genre: Synth Pop

I know Semwal as a guy who, a couple of years ago impressed me with a mindblowing album "Elephant in the room" which had 4 amazing songs at least. I have been waiting for his next big thundering track and here it is. When I listen to so many songs, I tend to have an inkling about which of these 400 songs will make it to the very top. I got that feeling for this song for sure. Punjabi hip-hop and melody and bhangra is probably the most popular and frequent style of music released every week in India, yet very few qualify under my metric system of rating music. 

So even before we analyse this song I want to congratulate Shubham Semwal and Agaazz( Arjit Singh) for producing this Synth Pop wonder and showing the way and inspiring young musicians. Many songs are set in this style because I was born in the 1980s, I tend to fall in love with this genre which was famous globally at that time. But what sets this song apart is the underlying notes, chord progression, scintillating guitars and synths and for this, we have to credit Sushant Joshi on synths and Ameen Singh on guitars. The moment the guitars start and the rhythms and keyboards get introduced, it is irresistible and you have to get up and dance. Semwal is on fire singing with a cool attitude and unabating energy in his voice. 

The joy of listening to the bass guitars and harmonies in the background brings a smile to my face. I love how the drift happens when he sings " Main na dil da Pecha Laona" and even more satisfying notes as they move within the lines "Nave Sajan utto naviyan gallan" and finally one more beauty in the concluding segment of "man taan naveyan vich purana". This is not run-of-the-mill, and Arjit and Semwal have done a brilliant job. The track is mixed and mastered by Vic Cuccia. 

@semwalmusic @agaazz_music @hemantvijh @viccucciamusic @dopameen23 

2. Breathe

Vocals, Lyrics, Music: Kamakshi Khanna

Language: English

Genre: Pop/Ballad

This is a special week with many stalwarts back on the bandwagon with some terrific music. If it was Semwal at number 1, Kamakshi Khanna makes a statement and delivers an important message on mental health as well through her latest single 'Breathe'. The only reason this song comes in at number 2 is that it lost by a whisker to Semwal's single. Kamakshi who I interviewed last year promised me and all listeners that all upcoming new releases will be fraught with loads of live instruments and some solid production. 

Just as we were promised, listen to this and enjoy the power of music, as it slowly rises like an ember turning into a conflagration. Kamakshi has sung, written and play the Ukulele and the galaxy of live instrumentalists glorifies this track. It is just the peaceful sound of the Ukulele and her high-pitched vocals that drive the song forward. Slowly we hear the Piano by Tarana Marwah, and bass guitars by Adil Kurwa. Everything else stops and becomes a distant dream when Ajay Jayanthi plays the Violin Solo and then all the strings in the later stages. I love the notes as well as the execution and there is no better instrument than the Violin to deliver a serious message like mental health. 

As the song progresses, it transforms into a ballad/pop style from just being a sombre ballad at the start. Karun Kannampilly plays the drums and Apurv Isaac is on the acoustic guitars. I can feel the pain and desperation when Kamakshi sings "I'm just trying to find peace of mind". Gaurav Raina does a fine job mixing the different elements. The last 1 minute or so is a symphony of vocals and all instruments to up the ante and Ajay, Karun, Adil, Tarana and Apurv steal the show.  

@kamakshikhannamusic @komorebi.music @karunk @lala_music @a_diilla @groovio @ajayjayanthi @exchangemastering

3. Stuck up 

Composition, Lyrics, and Vocals: Neha Karode

Music Production: Rupjit Das 

Language: Hindi

Genre: Indie Pop

Didn't I just say that we have a great line-up of stars in this week's countdown? Here comes one of my favourites, Neha Karode and she too had a wonderful discussion on her singing career, working for Anurag Saikia, and creating amazing fusion music when I interviewed her last year. But I am happier now that Neha now comes up with an original composition and there is nothing that falls short of expectations. Neha writes some excellent lyrics clearing standing up and saying "You are the one who's stuck up". This Jazz/Pop song has a good underlying melody and Neha just smashes home run after home run when it comes to her vocals. 

Feel the presence of the bass guitars by Prince Gogoi, and electric guitar strumming by Jobin David. It is an English Jazz/pop song alright but the structure is very similar to an Indian film song that has the demarcated opening verse, and then the stanza. As we have seen before Neha collaborates with Rupjit Das as the latter produces this song with wonderful and apt arrangements and programming. The highlight is the segment in the stanza that goes "If you ease up a bit, pour out your heart and submit" with some fantastic strumming on guitars and rhythms. Rupjit is the mixing and mastering engineer and Mrinal Kanti Das is the recording engineer at Playhead Studio. 

@nehakarode_music @princegogoi722 @jobindavid @rupjit_playheadstudio @mrinalkanti.das.334 @playheadstudio  

4. Magizhini

Composed & Produced by Rini and Shakthisree Gopalan

Lyrics: Shakthisree Gopalan & Rajesh Sridhar

Language: Tamil/English

Genre: Jazz Fusion

Shaktisree Gopalan moved to NY City after graduation from Berklee College of Music. She is being missed in the Tamil Indie as well as Kollywood music scene. But when we live in the post covid world of digital innovation, one can score music from anywhere in the world, record it from somewhere else and have a vocalist living 1000 miles away, yet everything comes out like a perfectly mixed hot cappuccino. The song is composed and produced by Shaktisree and Rini. 

The lyrics have both English and Tamil sections and they are penned by Shaktisree and Rajesh Sridhar. The moment we get the instruments playing the notes, I got a sense that maybe there is some Nalinakanti Ragam in the tune. Rini vocally performs the Swaras, and this is the first time I am hearing and reviewing Hairini Raghavan a.k.a. Rini who is NY based singer, composer and violinist. Shaktisree's English lines are so endearing and soothing like a balm on a burn. Her vocals and delivery act as a perfect compliment to Rini's energetic lines in Tamil. We have some amazing live instrumentalists here like Marco Bolfelli on Guitar, Maxime Cholley on Drums, Marcelo Maccagnan on Bass, Carrie Frey on Viola, Thea Mesirow on Cello. 

All these amazing musicians are band members who work and tour with Rini. In fact, I am excited to see her and the band perform live in Mumbai on Feb 23rd. The song is a creative force of bringing in a classical Carnatic Raga and fusing it with some slow Blues music. Kudos to the duo. The intertwined exhibition of the strings section, bass guitars, acoustic guitars and drums give me a feeling of 'Magizhini' (happiness). The track is mixed and mastered by Daniel Alba. The solo Violin is outstanding as it appears past the 3rd minute and the combined vocal humming of the two artists is powerful to close things. 

@shakthisreegopalan @rinimusic @freyaviol @theamesirow @danielalbasound @maxcholley @marcelomaccagnan @marcobolfelli @rajesh_sridhar_ra

5. Healing

Performed by Lisha Sebastian

Written by Lisha Mary Sebastian

Language: English

Genre: Folk/Alt-Rock

This 19-year-old singer-songwriter hails from the state of Colorado, USA but her precocious talent is like the gushing water of River Colorado. I listened to her whole album released recently called 'Sworn To Secrecy', and I did like more than a couple of songs for sure, but 'Healing' was my favourite. She is referred to as a folk singer by many American magazines and this song takes a folk-Alt-Rock route in my opinion. 

The strong presence of electric guitars and drums both by Bruce Lee Mani gives a great platform, but after that Lisha takes over with her vocals. I feel like I am being pulled deeper as she sings "Am I going down to the depths of the dark" and the line captures the essence of her vocals and writing beautifully. The segment that truly generates massive interest for me is "I burst into flames, and light up the sky, they take their aim, but just a little shy". The background vocal harmonies help immensely in this well-arranged and well-produced track. 

The harmonies by Ananya Raja, shift from singing the lines with a mild delay to just plain humming and I adore both. The songwriting and singing seem like something that has come from a seasoned campaigner but she is just 19. Enjoy a Hotel-Califiornia-esque guitar solo by Bruce Lee, near the 3-minute 25-second mark. Also, have a feast to your years with Lisha's scat singing segment in the end. Bruce also plays the bass and Mandolin.  

@lisaschords 

6. Kaali Kaali Raat - AKG

Vocals,Music, Lyrics -AKG (Amit Kumar Gupta)

Executive Producer - Kaartik Jain 

Music Producer - Tongs Kichu

Language: Hindi

Genre: Pop

I listened to this song it took me to the early 2000s when composers like AR Rahman and Shankar-Ehsan-Loy brought fresh sounds along with a very hummable and heart-warming melody as well. Amit Kumar Gupta a.k.a. AKG is being featured for the very first time, and I wonder why I haven't heard of him before. He has a fantastic voice that oozes goodness, and he sings emoting with perfection his subtle but succulent ghamakas reminding me of Mohit Chauhan.

Kaartik Jain is the Executive Producer but it is Tongs Kichu who has produced this beauty. The guitars and drums are so gentle and fill the heart with love as AKG sings with such poise. The way he says "Jaadui Ye baatein Teri Meri " is different each time especially the ending phrase and that shows his mettle as a singer. The best line is the one that goes "Main Tera Tera Tera, Hun aaj kal". Tongs Kichu handles the programming and arrangements and his brilliance comes out in the way he gets the sounds of guitars, Piano, and that faint Violin too into the mix of things. Tongs is also the mix and master engineer. 

The beautiful bridge section also is a good addition and adds to the wonderful melody. The ending is near and we have the trumpet too, just like icing on the cake. 

@tongskichu @akg_music @kaartikjain

7. Kasoor

Performed by Recroit

Written by Raghav Tripathi, Rohit Tripathi

Language: Hindi

Genre: Indie pop

This is the 5th new musician or band that I am reviewing here and nothing gets me more excited than this. Recroit is a duo comprising Raghav Tripathi and Rohit Tripathi, with the two writing, composing and performing the song. Specifically, Rohit has written the lyrics and Raghav has done the fabulous production. The guitars and synths are of list-A quality and make for some great listening. 

The vocals are spotless, whether it be execution, vibrato or falsetto landings. I am deeply impressed with Recroit and looking forward to their music. The cover art is by Neil Pillay and it expresses the state of mind when one is emotionally distanced from a loved one. The keyboard and rhythm programming don't falter even a bit and keep this song entirely enjoyable. 

@recroitmusic @rohittripathi @raghavtripathi @anamyaproductions @neilboyyy

8. Edhuvo ondru

Music - Joel Johns

Lyrics - Mohan Rajan

Singers - Hanan Shaah, Joel Johns

Language: Tamil

Genre: Filmi Melody

Last year I was not including Tamil songs in the weekly Indian charts because I was anyway doing a monthly review of Tamil songs. But I realised it would not be fair for the really good Tamil songs if they did not get featured alongside India's best music. So I have altered in 2023 and this is the 2nd consecutive week we have a Tamil song in the weekly charts. Joel Johns has composed and produced this song, and I have never featured him before so it gets me all excited. It is refreshing to see new names like Joel on music and vocals, and Hanan Shaah on lead vocals. Godfrey Emmanuel plays the guitars and raises the level of the song with his constant strumming. 

Mohan Rajan writes these touching words and they add great depth to the song. The interlude begins with a soothing humming by Hanan, but the guitar solo takes us back to Ilaiyaraja days with movies like "Marupadiyum". The lines "thuratthidum ninaivil anudinam thulainthu pogiren", and "nadappathai rasikka nanum marandhu pogiren" are beautiful in music and lyrics. I love the strings section in the background during the stanza. Jishnu Vijay does all the additional programming. The track is mixed and mastered by Balu Thankachan with assistance from Paul J Daniel and Hariharan. 

@hanaaaneyy @joel__johns_ @mohanrajan_lyrici

9. Teri Gal

Singer/Lyrics/Composer: Nirvair Pannu

Music: Deol Harman

Language: Punjabi

Genre: Alt-Rap/Pop

We have one more Punjabi track in this week's list and Nirvair Pannu's EP called "Flamboyant" had a couple of good songs with 'Teri Gal' being my favourite. Nirvair has written, composed and performed but it is Deol Harman's production that stands out. The use of keyboards and the brilliant strings in the background make this track memorable and enjoyable. Nirvair shows his wide vocal range and performs excellently in high-pitch segments. 

@nirvair_pannu @itsdeolharman @deeproycemusic 

10. Samaa

Performed by Aary

Written by Aaryamann Sethi

Produced by Kabir Hiranandani

Source: ANIMA Records

Language: Hindi

Genre: Indie pop

I like it when musicians try singing in different languages, just makes them more versatile. Aaryamann Sethi a.k.a. Aary a couple of months ago got featured here for an English single called " Drunk in the afternoon". Now his first Hindi single is pleasant and dreamy and the tune, as well as vocals, feel like Lucky Ali and that is intended as a big compliment. The mild strumming of guitars picks up in intensity and they play second fiddle to Aary's vocals. This is a feel-good song with fine production, programming and arrangements and Kabir Hiranandani needs to be credited for all three elements.  

@aaryamannsethi @dishaan_ @tamzidofficial @kabir_hiranandani

My Youtube reviews of the same list of songs is here