Top Indian Songs of the week 8th September 2024

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Here are the best songs released in India across languages and genres for the week ending 8th September 2024

1. Suprabhatam

Vocal: Nandini Srikar

Production, Guitars, Keys: Dhruv Ghanekar

Language: Sanskrit

Genre: Semi-classical Rock Fusion

Mood: Energetic

I heard the album Voyage 2 by Dhruv Ghanekar and it was a voyage to remember. This is one terrific album of fusion music with inspiration from around the globe. I strongly recommend that you stream the album and get an everlasting taste of the musical equivalent of pure bliss. I have done a full album review on my IG page and even enjoyed the album gig at NMACC in Mumbai on the 12th of September. If Dhruv and his band do tour your neck of the words, do yourself a favour and get tickets for the show. 

Nandini Srikar performs the Suprabhatam which most south Indians would have grown up listening to with the angelic voice of M.S. Subbalakshmi. It begins with just the sound of the Tambura and Nandini's divine recital, but soon we get blasted into another orbital with the lead guitars by Dhruv, drums by Lindsay Dmello, bass by Mohini Dey and additional guitars by the scintillating Abhay Nayampally. We have all heard a million rock-styled versions of 'Aigiri Nandini' but the Suprabhatam deserved one zany and wild version like this.

The interlude is pure madness with blazing guitars launching us into Sonic heaven. The creative juices are probably flowing thick and fast in DHruv's head as he gets Somashekhar Jois to perform the Konnakol in the background. The classical style of playing these guitars makes me wonder if it is the electric Veena. We get a verse with some Tamil lyrics here as Nandini shines. Lindsay is bruising the heart with these drums and Mohini, as expected oozes style all along. The galaxy of these amazing instrumentalists give us probably the most creative and stylish record of 2024. Sefi Carmel is the mixing engineer and PA Deepak is on the Dolby Atmos Mix. Gethin John at Haford Mastering handles mastering duties and Jashy Mistry is the recording engineer at Wah Wah Music, Mumbai. Khushboo Goyal handles the album art and Mallika Deb is in charge of Wah Wah Records Label Management.  

@dhruvg @abhaynayampallyguitar @dey_bass @dmellolindsay @konnakkolsomashekarjois @nandini_srikar @wahwahrecordsofficial @niranjanmenon @hersh.desai.9 @krishnikkk @padeepak @seficarmel 

2. Manasuna Manasu Nuvve

Music: Gopi Sundar

Lyrics: Saraswathi Putra & Rama Jogayya Sastry

Singers: Vijay Yesudas, Harini Ivaturi

Song Arranged And Programmed By: Gopi Sundar

Language: Telugu

Genre: Light Music Pop

Mood: Romantic

Gopi Sundar has a great streak here composing music in Malayalam and Telugu. As always his penchant for semi-classical-styled electronic pop comes out in the open here too and he gives us a smashing single as the composer, arranger and programmer. He ropes in stalwarts like Vijay Yesudas and Harini Ivaturi to perform the lead vocals. I do sense some Raag Pilu (Kaapi in Carnatic music) in the melody here. The swaras in Harini's delectable voice are followed by the chirpy kids' chorus in the intro. The kids performing are Sai Sahasraa, Veda Vaagdevi, Aasrith Raghava and Tanishka. The lyricists are 

Vishnu Sivan is on the additional programming. I love how Gopi allows a pause at the end of " Manasuna Manasu nuvve....Maralaa nanu kalisaave...Maruvani". The impact of pauses and breaks is delightful here and the accompanying string section arrangements elevate it. The lines performed "sagara sangamam" add such beauty between the two lead vocal parts. The interlude is excellent as a melody and the combined effect of the flute, bass guitars, keys and rhythms is magical. 

The stanza oozes more quality and my favourite part is "Yedhi anubandham Yevaritho naa bandham". Bhavani Prasad gives us a reason to smile with the Veena solo in the second interlude and the stanza continues to weave more magic. The string arrangements deserve special appreciation. The recording engineers are Srinath Komanduri @ Sruthi Audio Labs, Hyderabad and Gabriel Angelo Fe, Rajath Raveendran, Joe Antony, Nevin C Delson, Gopi Sundar. The mix/master engineer is Sai Prakash @ My Studio Cochin. 

@gopisundar___official @thevijayyesudas @hariniivaturi @vishnusivan_musical @rajathrian @mystudioco @saiprakashh @babu_velayudan @joeantony_ @nevincdelson @_.mayoni._

3. Kiliye

Music Composer: Dhibu Ninan Thomas

Lyrics: Manu Manjith

Vocals: KS Harisankar, Anila Rajeev

Piano, Rhythm And Electronic Programming: Dhibu Ninan Thomas

Language: Malayalam

Genre: Light Music

Mood: Romantic

Oh! You better get your headphones ready for this one! This guy Dhibu Ninan Thomas is a fantastic composer and some of the best film songs in Tamil have come from him in the last few years. Don't believe my words, check out the song "Kangal Edho" from the album 'Chittha' released in 2023 and decide for yourself. Here he is composing, programming and weaving more magic for the Malayalam blockbuster 'ARM with Tovina Thomas as the lead actor. 

Nadasbala D Balasubramaniam, in glorious fashion, makes way with the Nadaswaram in the prelude and we hear the magnetic voice of KS Harisankar. Dhibu's Piano and Naveen Napier's bass guitars create the aura around the song's pallavi and anupallavi segments. The soaring strings by the Budapest Scoring Orchestra come to life with Karthik Manickavasakam on arrangements. Balasubramanian G is the Orchestra Co-ordinator. The lyrics are penned by Manu Manjith

Sruthiraj amplifies the energy on percussions and the session supervisor is Charu Hariharan with arrangers Akshay Pradeepan, Abin Ponnachan. The flavour of Kerala is introduced with the Chenda Melam by Kalasmathi and Harisankar does this beautiful "Thangame..Thagame" with many modified styles in the interlude. Anila Rajeev, wow, what a playback singer

and the combination of Anila and Dhibu works like magic once again after a brilliant song in Tamil back in 2022. 

The strings, Nadaswaram, bass guitar and all the percussions combine like a recipe of the Gods towards the outro. The melody feels like Raag Madyamavathi to me. The recording engineers are Ganesh Marar, Vishnu M N, Maniratnam, Viktor Sabzo, Aswin Kumar, Ananth Pai and Amal Raj with Balu Thankachan on mixing and Shadab Rayeen on mastering. Velavan is the musicians' co-ordinator. 

@dhibuninanthomas @armthemovie @manumanjith_s @harisankar_ks @anila.rajeev @napier_naveen @karthikmanickavasakam @charuhariharan @shadabrayeen @thebaluthankachan

4. Fakt Purusho Maate

Singer: Vishal Dadlani

Music : Kedar - Bhargav

Lyrics : Bhargav Purohit

Language: Gujarati

Genre: Rock fusion

Mood: Energetic

It is not often that a Gujarati film song impresses me so much, but I believe the ones I have featured over the years have a lot to do with the composers Kedar and Bhargav. The song is a title track from "Fakth Purusho Maate" and it is performed by the mercurial Vishal Dadlani. The song has intense rock flavours and no better than Vishal to deliver it was poise and passion. 

The prelude has this electric guitar riff and soon enough we get the title line being performed by Vishal. The high-paced guitars and thumping drums and when Vishal sings it like this we have an adrenaline rush. The interlude has the SItar solo and I think we hear some notes that correspond to Raag Bhimpalasi. The faster conjunction of the Sitar and electric guitar is breathtaking towards the end of the interlude. Kedar and Bhargav prove once again that they are composers to reckon with. I love the stanza, the melody written, the arrangements and the overall production. 

@kedarandbhargav @dr.kedar @bhargav_purohit @vishaldadlani

5. Madham

Vocals, Composition: Saahel

Music Production: Vedang

Additional Production: Saahel, Mikail, Nitesh

Written by: Shez Khan

Co-written by: Saahel

Language: Hindi

Genre: Semi-classical Pop fusion

Mood: Contemplative 

I don't think someone will be featured every time in my weekly reviews if he/she/they do not have the exceptional skills of singing/songwriting. Saahel is one such young musician who I have featured every time he releases a single. In this day and age of excesses and mediocrity, Saahel stands apart with a commitment to write something fresh, beautiful and original. Well done, and I hope there is no stopping him.

This is different from some of his earlier work, as Saahel explores a slower tempo and more semi-classical genre here. The guitars by Mikail and the Harmonium combine with great style. Saahel composes the tune, and he co-writes it with Shez Khan. The music production deserves tremendous praise and we have Vedang with the honors. The semi-classical texture is also brought along with the Tabla in addition to the rhythms. The melody is beautiful and you want to learn and perform it, and that is a sign of a good melody. I could feel such a spark when I heard the line in the verse " Meri nazar ye jo tujko he dhundhun yun". 

The chorus segment is catchy, and loop-worthy. The woodwinds are a great addition in the outro and the Santoor is played by Nitesh Aher. Saahel, Nitesh and Mikail are involved in all the additional music production. Jeevana is the mix/master engineer. I feel that maybe there is some Raag Shanmukhapriya in the melody. 

@vedangvaajiwki @saahellmusic @thelastmikail @shezsahab @jeevanahh @tan90charlie 

6. Goodbye My Friend

Performed by Rahul Advani

Written by Rahul Advani

Produced by Bani Hidir

Language: English

Genre: Alt-Rock

Mood: Energetic

Rahul Advani is consistent and this is the 4th time I am featuring this wonderful indie artist. His new EP 'ELements' is out and I have now officially featured all 4 songs in this EP, which is a rarity. It means you should go and stream the EP right away. Rahul has written and performed this ebullient Alt-Pop single. Bani Hidir is the music producer and he is instrumental in getting the song some glorification through his arrangements and programming. 

Bani plays guitars and drums, and Rohannesburg is the bassist. There is a generous lead guitar accompaniment all along the verse in the background. Rahul is the kind of musician who will continue to impress you because his talent is well-rounded. He is extremely effective in his vocals and his songwriting is impactful lyrically and fresh musically. If the melody doesn't ignite a fire inside you, wait for distinguished musicians Tejas and Mali on backing vocals to uplift your spirits with some excellently arranged and executed harmonies. Rahul's bridge section and the following chorus segment with just the Piano remind us of greats like Michael Bolton and his works. 

@iamrahuladvani @banihadir @rohannesburg @maalavikamanoj @tejas1989 @masterdisk_nyc

7. Pokayo Parayathe Nee

Music : Mithulesh Cholakkal

Lyric : V P Sreekanth Nair

Singers : Mithulesh Cholakkal, Anjana S Kumar

Language: Malayalam

Genre: Light Music/ 

Mood: Relaxing

It is fantastic to feature artists for the first time, and those who I haven't even heard of before. The prelude itself has so much to offer with the flute solo by Abhijith, Ajith Narayanan, followed by the sparkling Sitar by Rahul Chembayil. It is semi-classical and when Mithulesh Cholakkal begins his vocals I do sense some Raag Maand. The song is also composed by Mithulesh with lyrics by V P Sreekanth Nair. 

The melody is rich and my heart blossoms and the joy becomes like an uncontrollable burst thanks to the supreme vocal performance by Mithulesh and Anjana S Kumar. The accompaniments are intense with the Tabla by Akbar Green along with the Sitar and guitars by Harish Veeroli. The interlude with the ravishing Tabla and the flute solo carries a lot of pathos with a hint of Raag Chakravaham maybe. The song has some outstanding arrangements and production, and one can hear the constant live instrumental support, on lead guitars by Suhail Paluvai, and the Sarangi as well. 

Sujith Lal and Bayanuzzaman must be praised for their wonderful programming. The recording engineers are Ashku, Imam Majboor, Ajay Joy and Judine Paulose. The mix/master engineer is Arjun Kottaram

@123musixofficial @sumithmb @nannuzzz_official

8. Can’t Get Away (live)

Performed by Jaimin, The Bluegrass Journeymen

Producer, Lyricist, Author, Music Copyist: Jaimin

Producer, Co-Producer: The Bluegrass Journeymen

Language: English

Genre: Country- Rock

Mood: Happy

I remember doing a full album review of "Cutting Loose" by Jaimin a couple of years ago and I was excited to see his new music release. This song transports me to a lush field in the heavens with the sun shining brightly, and wind blowing gently as I walk along a fresh stream of mountain water. I could keep adding more such elements because this song is like one ethereal dream. The song is written by Jaimin and he sings it. The mandolin by Patrick Fitzsimons and Ukulele by Nabanita Sarkar are a constant and it is chirpy but the show-stopper is the dobro by Billy Cardine. 

Billy also handles all the arrangements with music production responsibilities left to Jaimin. I have always been intrigued by Jaimin's lyrics and here sings " Couldn't even tell whether she is a boon or a bane". We also have the traditional guitars played by Summers Baker and Someswar Bhattacharya. The song exhibits the texture of Irish or Celtic traditional music and the foray of the Fiddle by Casey Driessen and Coleman Smith is proof of that. Close attention to the delightful interlude shows that we also have the bubbly Banjo by Sam Armstrong-Zickefoose . The melody is simple but it is his writing, delivery and arrangements that keep your attention from swaying away. The dobra solo once again sizzles in the outro. 

Kudos to the bassist Charles Parker Mertens and Cellist Andrew Conley for playing a great hand in the amazing execution of live instrumentals. The tracks are mixed by Protyay Chakraborty, and mastered by Abhijit Tenny Roy. The catchy artwork is by Manisha Maity

@jaiminrajani @banjosamjo @summersbaker @charlesparkermertens @caseydriessen @billycardine @mandonomad @protyaych @thebluegrassjourneymen @tennyaudio @manishabear @turnkey_music

9. Kaledhode

Performed and Composed by Tarana

Lyrics: Shashank SM

Music Production: Shreyas B Rao

Language: Kannada

Genre: Classical Rock fusion

Mood: Energetic

It was awesome to listen to this Bengaluru Band called 'Tarana' for the very first time and their single was so impressive that I had no qualms about featuring and reviewing this beauty. The band comprising Shreyas B Rao, Shashank SM, Anirudh Ganesh, Aditya Rajaram, Saathvik Raghavendra, Shreyas Bharadwaj, Suraj Gulvadi and Sujan Rao focuses on Indian Carnatic classical music and blending with rock tendencies and arrangements. 

Shashank M writes the Kannada lyrics and the frontman Shreyas B Rao is the lead vocalist and music producer. He has this very affable set of vocals that resonates with the music lovers' heart. Shreyas provides a classical-styled vibrato while performing most of the lines. Sujan Rao's Kanjira and percussions appear straightaway giving it further Indian classical touch. Simultaneously we have Saathvik on drums giving the mad energy. The interlude is filled with rock textures as Anirudh plays the lead guitars, and Shreyas is on the rhythm guitars. The arrangements deserve credit as Shreyas Rao gives space for the Kanjira, flute. Indian percussions to shine in the second interlude. 

Do I hear some Raag Abheri? Maybe. The song drifts through various alterations of tempo and hence the energy too shifts giving many moments of calmness and madness. I definitely look forward to more work from this talented lot. Suraj Gulvadi is the mix/master engineer. The outro is a confluence of all styles as we have the flute and aalap in Indian classical style, while the guitars and drums speak western rock. 

@tarana_theband @surajgulvady @sujanrao_ @anirudh.ganesh @shreyasbrao @shreyas_bharadhwaj @_.saathvik._ @aditya.rajaram @harshmakam

10. Aasaan

Written, Composed & Performed by gini

Production: Aditya Shukla

Language: Hindi

Genre: Pop

Mood: Pathos 

I am thrilled to be featuring gini for the second time in a matter of weeks. The last time it was a fantastic single called "Sukoon", which ended up giving me sukoon, and now she impresses yet again with 'Aasaan', looks like things are too asaan for her right now. Dhananjay Chhetri on the acoustic guitar and gini on vocals start things straightaway to lay the melody in front of us. gini does introduce a few nice notes to make the melody sound fresh.

The harmonies, rhythms and Piano come forward and the arrangements produce a heartening effect. Kudos to Aditya Shukla on production and arrangements. I love the pause at " aankhen kar bandh". The intensity keeps rising in gini's vocal delivery and the strings section arrangements help matters too when she sings " bhookha aur pyaasa, na jaane kab pahunchenga". The union of all the instruments along with harmonies and gini's sensational vocals in the outro is uplifting. Vivek Thomas is the mix/master engineer, Adhithya Sivakumar is the recording engineer at Studio Island City, Mumbai

@molfamusic @firstwav @this.is.gini @kankaria_bhavna @adhithya.sivakumar @vivekthomasproductions @adityashukla.02 @studioislandcity

11. Manmarziyan

Composer: Himanshu Chaturvedi

Composer: Arjun Handa

Language: Hindi

Genre: Soft Rock

Mood: Energetic

A wonderful intro feeds us the spirit of Soft-Rock music with acoustic guitars, bass, keys and drums. This is KALB consisting of Arjun Handa and Himanshu Chaturvedi. Kartik Chandel is the guitarist, and Sarthak Bhayana is the drummer and we have Vatsal Bakhda on keys. The band of Arjun and Himanshu have written the melody and the lead vocalist is Himanshu. 

I love how the melody shifts into " Toh Hum ab jaaye kaha" and the confusion expressed in words is also delivered through the melody and production as the drums vanish and we feel the silence

(drop-in drum decibels) owing to the confusion and mystery. Then exactly when Himanshu sings " Shor yeh kyun hai, Khali dil mein" the drums start getting more aggressive along with the keys like a crescendo. Kudos to the band for the thoughtful writing, arrangements and production. 

Arjun is the bassist and supports on backing vocals with Himansu playing the acoustic guitars. The interlude is a terrific piece with heavy acoustic guitars, Keys and drums. The bridge section has this engaging and soothing humming along with a dominant Piano. 

@arjunhanda_ @himanshu.muzak @vatsal.bakhda @ckartikmusic @blacksheep.records @music.kalb 

12. Baarish

Composer, Lyrics, Vocals: Ananya Wadkar

Music arranger and producer: Durgesh Rajbhatt

Language: Hindi

Genre: Pop

Mood: Relaxing

I am listening to Ananya Wadkar for the very first time, but it didn't take me more than 15 seconds to get hooked on to this. She writes this gentle melody and to top that her vocal exhibition is one to adore and cherish. The lyrics and vocals are also by Ananya, and the song is produced and arranged by the bright and talented Durgesh Rajbhatt. I expect nothing less from Durgesh and he lived up to the hype. The guitars lay the framework in the background to help generate the pop texture and we have Rahul Chithale and Vikram Bam playing the guitars. 

I love how the guitars do their thing along with some nice harmonies too arranged to entertain. The interlude has some slick guitar notes and the verse has well-written notes like the line "dhoond thi rehthi hu tujhe main, jaise dhoondoon badalon mein chand" accompanied by bass guitars. Ananya stuns you with "ghumsum si hai yeh raat bhi" especially the notes on the last two words. Kudos to her for shining like the "chaand" at the end of the "baarish". Durgesh keeps it simple, and beautiful yet enticing on arrangements and production. The recording engineers are Avdhoot Wadkar, Kalpesh Kerkar and Sanjay CHitale, with Avdhoot on mixing and mastering duties. 

@ananyawadkar @vikthebam @wadkkaravadhuut @tanya.ag18 @sushmitanarayan @durgesh_r_rajbhatt @rahulihno @ajivasanstudios @sadashivproductions 

13. Aqda

Lead Vocals and Songwriting - Rajan Batra

Music Production, Keys, and Backing Vocals - Himonshu Parikh

Language: Punjabi

Genre:

Mood:

If only I had space in my diary to note down every time 'The Yellow Diary' stole my heart!! Here comes another soothing Alt Rock single with all boxes ticked. The band doesn't have much to worry about when the frontman sings like Houdini on the song, and a brilliant producer/keyboardist handles arrangements and sound design. Rajan Batra wrote the melody, and the lyrics and performed the levitating vocals and Himonshu Parikh is the architect on keys, production and backing vocals. 

The guitars by Harshvardhan Gadhvi and the Piano by Himonshu in the intro make way for Rajan's foray on vocals, and this is just the perfect recipe for tranquillity. The style quotient gets amplified with some energetic drums by Sahil Shah, keys, bass by Stuard Dacosta and some engrossing harmonies. The intermittent pause in rhythms and the appearance help the record move like a river, calm at times and ferocious too. The recording engineer is Aria Nanji at Studio Island City, with Prathamesh Dudhane on mixing and mastering. 

@theyellowdiary @himonshu @studirt @rajanbatra13 @sharkandink @harshreality91 @sahilplaysdrums @firstwav

14. Burning Desire

Performed by VISHIE

Written by Vishi Gautam

Language: English

Genre: Country-Rock

Mood: Energetic

I heard this and I was transported to the mid-west in USA or the Bible Belt with the writing, and production all giving me that country-pop texture. Vishi Gautam a.k.a. VISHIE has written the melody, and lyrics and performed the lead vocals. When we hit the pre-chorus segment the song hits an emotional and acoustic high as he sings "Only when the time is right", aided by some fantastic support on electric guitars, bass and drums. 

I love the writing as well, which has some inspirational words " In the darkest times, don't lose your fight, hold on tight". 

@musicmultiverseindia

15. Can’t get you off my mind

Performed by Glitch Gum, MEHR

Producer: Luke Huff

Composer, Lyricist, Writer: Gurmehr Khurmi

Language: English

Genre: Pop

Mood: Upbeat

I have to agree with this title. When I heard this song, I just couldn't get it off my mind. Gurmehr Khurmi has penned the lyrics, written the melody and performed the lead vocals as well. Gurmehr a.k.a. MEHR is in prime form as the lead vocalist and ever since I heard this sensational track, I can't wait to hear more of her forthcoming indie releases. The guitar riffs and rhythms in the prelude feel like "Every Breath You Take" by Sting's band, The Police. MEHR starts to make you feel the exhilaration once she starts singing. 

The vocals are truly world-class and she deserves an ovation for her delivery. Luke Huff gives the song a well-rounded sound design with his production. The Keys, rhythms and guitars never take a break even for a second and the upbeat tempo keeps your foot tapping all the way. 

@heyitsmemehr @glitchgummusic @urvashi_varik