Top Indian Songs of the week 4th Sep 2022

1. Maatu Maatalle

Composed and Produced by Ronada Bakkesh & Karthik Chennoji Rao

Singer – Vijay Prakash

Lyrics - Ghouse Peer

Genre: Melody

Language: Kannada

I am a huge fan of the band Pineapple Express and their brand of music bordering Alt-Rock, Rock, and Classical-Rock Fusion is something that will feature in some of the most original and inspiring works in India. Just a few weeks ago I featured a song called "Jazbaat" by the band as the number 1 song in India, and it is only later than this Kannada number was co-composed by one of the band members, Karthik Chennoji Rao a.k.a. KC. This outstanding number sung by the stalwart Vijay Prakash has Ronada Bakkesh also working on the score and this is quintessential Alt-Rock. NS Prasad on Mandolin and Ritwik Bhattacharya on guitars along with Narayan Sharma on the Violin, sparkle and help Vijay Prakash make headway into the track. We can also hear Narayan backing with his vocals, and the song just rises a notch when Vijay sings "Naa Ninage" and the instruments just take a pause, and once those words end, we get the drums and guitars back performing but listen to that mild Violin ripping open in the background. The stanza is mild and melodious with some scintillating vocal harmony arrangements, and you can listen to the song multiple times just to understand the plethora of elements at work in the background. This has to be one of the best vocal performances by Vijay Prakash in recent times. Ghouse Peer is the lyricist, and we have Anil CJ and Ronda on mixing, Nick Burchall has mastered the track with Akash Shivakumar, and Rangaswamy has recorded the track.

2. Darun

Music, lyrics and vocals – Anupam Roy

Language: Bangla

Genre: Melody, Semi-classical

His Instagram handle reads @aroyfloyd and damn Anupam Roy is worthy of being a part of Pink Floyd according to me, He is one of the most talented composers in the nation and he delivers every single time. Just listen to this brilliant semi-classical melody set in Raag Bageshree and the moment Abhishek Mullick opens with his Sitar, I guarantee that you will lose track sense of time and place. The Sitar solo is a stamp of the enormously pleasing Raaga, and when a stalwart like Bodhisattwa Ghosh starts playing the electric guitars to follow up on the Sitar, the world just becomes a magical place called paradise. Anupam Roy more than just scoring and writing is also the lead vocalist and even though I have to turn to my wife and in-laws to understand any sort of Bangla, the vocals and the sounds of words coming from the genius' mouth are good enough to titillate me. Kaustav Biswas on bass guitars and Sandipan Partial on drums just energise you with a western/ Alt-Rock influence. The most brilliant segment of the song is when he sings " Ja chowa jaay na, ja paowa jaay na, ja bojha jaay na, Taa toh darun". The electric guitar solo accompanies by Joy Nandy's Tabla is a creative mix to hear. The stanza is simple with just a few variations and then we get to the landing and opening lines, but the song is one joy ride. Nabarun Bose plays the Keyboards and just when you assume the song is over, we have a classical union of the Sitar solo and Tabla in the second interlude. The track is mixed and mastered by Debojit Sengupta, with Atmos mix by Debojit and Tirthankar Mazumder. The recording engineer is Srirup Chatterjee. 

3. Aa Kanasu

Music composed, produced and arranged by - Midhun Mukundan

Singer - Haricharan

Lyrics - Nagarjun Sharma

Genre: Semi-classical Fusion, melody

Language: Kannada

This week is all about regional languages and they are kicking arse with some very different tones. Take this one by Midhun Mukundan, whos the composer for that critically acclaimed film "Garuda Gamana Vrishaba Vahana". The moment you have a fabulous vocalist and insanely talented instrumentalist on board, the song then just soars higher. We have Haricharan sounding cool, casual and brilliant in this delivery, while Abhay Nayampally plays the classical Electric guitar. The production and arrangements are supreme, and the credits for those too go to Midhun. Abhay sizzles on the guitars in the interlude and it does feel like we are listening to his mentor, the Genius U.Srinivas, and watch out for that solo piece at the end of the stanza. Hriday Goswami has mixed, mastered and recorded the track. 

4. Amake Nao

Singer: Debayan Banerjee 

Composer: Pralay Sarkar

Music production/Arrangement: Debayan Banerjee

Lyricist : Pralay Sarkar, Jyoti Hazra

Genre: Melody

Language: Bangla

Oriplast Originals is one of my earliest sources of great original Bangla music back in 2019 when I just began doing music reviews and it led me to discover brilliant musicians like Anupam Roy. Here we have one more edition of the project and it is Debayan Banerjee who sings, produces and arranges the track. It is Debayan's vocal texture that makes this song even more endearing. The percussions and harmonies are wonderful and effective additions and Sarangi's intervention along with some Keyboard programming come together quite well. The stanza is rich in melody quotient and so is the title line which sticks to your mind. The track is mixed and mastered by Debayan. 

5. Asar

Performed by Anand Bhaskar, Anurag Mishra

Written by Anand Bhaskar

Produced by Hrishi Giridhar & Anand Bhaskar

Language: Hindi

Genre: Ballad

Is this a dream collaboration or what? Well, you can call it that, and why wouldn't you when there some of the best musicians line up for a project? Anurag Mishra has a very refined and identifiable voice, amidst a truckload of copycats and imitators. He is also a very competent composer who I have featured multiple times and he sings this ballad produced by Anand Bhaskar and Hrishi Giridhar. Do these two guys need any introduction, I believe not. Anand also penned the lyrics and lent his voice to the track. The sounds of the strings and Keys dominate the background layers. The best line of the song is the one leading up to the title "Asar". Anurag's vocals at the baritone scales are so heartening to hear, and he employs them effectively. I just love the song's arrangements and production, as Anand and Hrishi, also bring in the electric guitars 

6. With You

Singer and Lyricist - Vernon D'Souza

Composed by - Souvik Adak & Vernon D'Souza

Genre: Indie pop

Language: English

Vernon D'Souza writes and performs this enchanting slow sombre number and the words talk about an intimate loving relationship. Vernon and Souvik Adak co-compose the track and we hear a perfect concoction of instruments arranged like a Harmonica. The show just gets better in that interlude piece by Rhys Sebastian on the Saxophone and what we get is something similar to a Kenny G number. Ralph Fernandes plays the acoustic and bass guitars. The track is mixed and mastered by Debaprasad Tewary. 

7. Helalu Oodare

Vocals: Pradeep Kumar

Lyrics: K Kalyan

Music: Vasuki Vaibhav

Language: Kannada

Genre: Melody

If I have to be honest, I must say that there is a lot of disappointment when I see Vasuki Vaibhav's name in the composer credits. He showed immense potential a few years ago and I would have rated him as one of the best young talents in India. Something happened along the way and he has been more of a lyricist and a singer. If I Have to look past all that, then I am glad Vasuki has composed this beauty, and maybe this is the beginning of his revival. He gets one of the strongest vocalists in Pradeep Kumar to deliver these beautiful notes and words penned by K Kalyan. The acoustic guitars guide the track forward, but the subtle use of bass guitars and strings beautifies the Pallavi and anupallavi. The solo violin in the interlude gives the song a wonderful classical touch. The stanza is a continuation of the elements heard in the opening lines, and towards the end of the charanam, Pradeep showcases his wide vocal range. The second interlude creates such a deep sense of grief with the Violin but it only makes you connect with the melody even more. These are segments which sound very much like a score by Vasuki's compatriot Ajaneesh Loknath. The outro has this beautiful aalap by Pradeep and in this free-flowing rendition, he shows why he is one of the best out there. Also the more I hear the number, the stronger I believe that there is a Raag Desh influence in it. The solo violin was played by Narayan Sharma and he also did arrangements for the guitars and strings. The acoustic guitar was played by Aadarsh Subramanian, and all the rhythm programming was by Hriday Goswami.

8. Kahaan Hai Kal

Vocals, Lyrics: Manikaant Suryan

Production: Rijul Victor 

Language: Hindi

Genre: Indie Pop

I heard this song a month or so ago but somehow forgot to include it in my weekly rankings and lists. Thankfully I never misplace any records of the songs I hear, even if it amounts to 400 a week. So here it is, a soothing number with guitar sounds and vocals that strike you, making you forget yesterday and tomorrow, making you ask "Kaahan hai kal". The track is produced brilliantly by Rijul Victor and he has also mixed, mastered and done the recording. 'Yeh baatein jo tu karta hain, kya tu seekha hai, is duniya se', all just amazing words that hit you hard and they especially transmit easily through a clear voice and delivery like Manikaant's and aided by some intriguing sounds in the background. 

9. Aaya Mausam

Vocals: Divyam Sodhi

Produced and arranged by Khwaab

Language: Punjabi

Genre: Classical Fusion

I have been a keen follower and admirer of Khwaab's work as it is something that fits my musical tastes. When you want something of an old treasure to be completely restored and presented in a delectable fashion, Khwaab the producer is the man to go to. I have featured his work multiple times and like the other ones, this too is an old gem composed by Wajahat Atre and sung by Madam Noor Jehan. Divyam Sodhi has been performing for Khwaab's recreated classics and his voice is one more reason these numbers sound precious. I am not able to place it, but I guess I hear influences of Raag Bihag and maybe some of Raag Bilawal. Subham Kanjilal plays the delightful Mandolin solo in the interlude. Mahavir plays the Dholak taking us back to the fields of Punjab and the production and arrangements reek of Khwaab's impressions. One of my favourite musicians from down south is Rex Vijayan and the man himself has mixed and mastered the track so you can expect some mastery here. Roshan Kumar Sharma Sinha is the recording engineer. 

10. Tholi Tholiga

Music composed and Arranged by Achu Rajamani 

Singers - Rahul Nambiar 

Lyrics - Vasista Sharma 

Genre: Melody

Language: Telugu

This is a sensational number and Achu Rajamani has been a high this past few months with some solid numbers for the movie album 'Janakiram' as well as indie projects. The guitars strumming by Bruce (Is it Springsteen?) and Rahul Nambiar's authority on vocals keep you hooked. I have featured Rahul a few times as a part of the 'Makka Band' and the way he uses those vibratos to great effect works very well in this enthralling number. James on the Accordion intervenes beautifully but all the arrangements and production by Achu are like the secret sauce for the success of the song. Vasista Sharma pens the lyrics. I loved how at the end of the stanza we get the humming, and the traditional percussion gives a folk flavour especially with Rahul singing 'thandana the na na'. Ijaz Ahamed does the mixing and mastering. Achu shifts to western rhythm programming intermittently and it is seamless. The song has some noticeable similarities with "Shukran Allah" by Salim-Sulaiman. 

11. Bhalobashi Tai

Music Director- Rupak Tiary 

Lyrics - Aviman Paul 

Singer:- Ishan Mitra and Somlata Acharyya.

Music Arrangements & Mix Master- Rupak Tiary

Genre: Melody

Language: Bangla

Rupak Tiary is a prolific composer and I have always admired his work rate, and also for making the effort to create originals in a land that is still influenced by and in awe of Rabindra Sangeet. Somlata Acharya and Ishan Mitra are the lead vocalists and I have featured both of them before on my website for some fabulous work. The flute and the guitars keep coming and going and all the arrangements by Rupak decorate the track and what we get is a lovely melody setting the mood for romance. The lead vocalists are in prime form and the way they deliver the lines adds to genre specificity. Aviman Paul is the lyricist. 

12. Dhoora Dhoora

Singers: SIDDHARTHA BELMANNU & SHAKTHISREE GOPALAN

Lyrics: PREETHAM TEGGINAMANE & VIVAN RADHA KRISHNA 

Music Director: VIVAN RADHAKRISHNA

Language: Kannada

Genre: Melody

She has been missing in action, and it was quite a noticeable vacuum for me who always loved her voice and of late her compositions as well. Shakthisree Gopalan is now going to come back stronger after her 1-year hiatus, studying at Berklee College of Music. She is one of the lead vocalists for this number along with another wonderful young talent called Siddhartha Belmannu who I featured 3 years ago in a Kannada song. I loved one of his extravagant and innovative covers using A Capella style for Santhosh Narayanan number, "Vaa Rayil vida polama". Vivan Radhakrishna is the composer and this is his debut album, and he has penned the lyrics along with Preetham Tegginamane. The song begins with some delightful backing vocals, and this is also the voice of Shakthisree who has arranged the backing vocals too. Rithu Vysakh plays the solo violin in the background and we hear Siddhartha's pleasing vocals. Rithu also plays the strings, it is Goutham Hebbar playing the flute. She probably has to be one of the best vocalists who can sound so impressive in the lower scales, and when she has to up the ante and rise to the higher scales, it is done with minimum fuss. Keba Jeremiah plays the guitars and John Solomon handles all the additional programming. Abin Paul has mixed and mastered with Akhil and Sandeep as recording engineers. 

13. Ee Raavum

Music - Shaan Rahman

Lyrics - B K Harinarayanan

Singer - Akbar Khan

In very quick succession Shaan Rahman has been getting into all the All India charts. This gives me great hope that Shaan is going to keep coming up with the goods. This song begins and for a consistent duration sounds like an early 2000s Bollywood song featuring Atif Aslam. Akbar Khan does probably possess the same vocal tone and texture. The Violin and guitars are fantastic and they are arranged with an exquisite touch. BK Harinarayanan is the lyricist 

14. Pothe Chole Jete Jete

Singer : Sahana Bajpaie

Music Produced by: Samantak Sinha

Language: 

Genre: Ballad, Traditional

Sometimes you just have to mend your own rules if you want to believe in the ultimate goodness. I have generally always only featured and reviewed original music and not too many covers. This like "Aaya Mausam" in this week's list is not an original song but even if these are re-creations, the effort, the production and creativity need to be appreciated. Samantak Sina produces a blinder here and the sounds are just invigorating right at the start. Sahana Bajpaie rips your heart with that element of Sadness in her vocals. Shubhayu Sen Majumder plays the Esraj, mildly in some spots and takes over the solo in the interlude. Suuny Bhattacharya is the bassist, and the whole listening experience is meditative with inherent pathos. Anindit Roy does the mix and master. The song probably has Raag Khamaj influences 

15. Heat

Performed by Archana Gopal

Written by Archana Gopal, Evan Linsey, Kayla Pichichero

Genre: Indie pop

Language: English

Archana Gopal talks about her Queer desire and feels that music is her avenue for expressing any feelings she might have towards this. When you get to the point where the lyrics go "Love me, Till I leave the floor behind, Ill let you" then Archan brings her Carnatic training to full use. The vocals by Archana are aided by some excellent background harmonies, Keys and clap sounds. The song is written by Archana, Evan Linsey and Kayla Pichichero with the latter two producing the number. The song ends once again on a classical note  

16. Kadiyalenu 

Singer: Chinmayi Sripada

Lyrics: Jayanth Kaikini

Music: Veer Samarth

Chinmayi is singing more in Telugu and Kannada these days and I am glad she gets to sing some fantastic numbers this included. Veer Samarth uses heavy instrumentals and the flutes and strings all create a wonderful aura something we are used to as '90s kids. Sandeep Vasista is amazing in his Flute solos and Anup R Nair does the programming. The track is mastered by Dhanshekhar, and the lyrics are penned by Jayantha Kaikini.