Top Indian Songs of the week 9th July 2023

Here are the best songs released in India across languages and genres for the week ending 9th July 2023. 

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1. On The Wild Side

Composed and written by Perfect Strangers

Vocals: Ananya Raja, Pranav DM

Language: English

Genre: Jazz/Rock

Surprisingly, I am listening to this amazing band for the very first time, but like they say, "Better late than never". This Bengaluru-based band has been around since 2013 and is quite popular in that region. I was truly blown away by this and there was no way this song would be featured at any other place than the number 1 spot. Kudos people!

The band wastes no time, as straight away we get an induction of rock with Debjeet Basu's electric guitars and Preran Gulvady's drums. After that opening cameo, we get the sensational Jazz construct, with Sweethin Hartman on the saxophone, Joshua Costa on Keys and the outrageously savvy vocals of Ananya Raja. Is she singing her lines from the depths of a deep well, because that is how low she could go in the vocal range? 

It soon turns into an exhibition of vocal sorcery as Ananya blows red hot right through. Her control, and her vibrato, is all flawless and I am certain this could be placed right alongside Samantha Noella's performance earlier this year for the song 'Glow". I feel the intensity when she sings " Don't you push me away, would you rather have me stay?". Sense for yourself, the groovy bass guitars by Shalini Mohan and then when we get to the title line, the song is a whole other beast that will just devour you, because it just sensed your weakness for good music. The song is a concoction of amazing production, arrangements, singing etc. The song explores the story of a transgender woman and her journey towards authenticity and acceptance. Let the Pride flow!

The Pianos form a beautiful interlude past the 3.2 minute mark and it is this unpredictable nature of the song's progression that I deeply love. Sweethin's Saxophone solo is breathtaking and is another worthy feather on the cap for the band's single. Akash Shivakumar is the mixing engineer and Vivek Thomas is the mastering engineer. The song feels like taking a walk on the wild side with the heavy drums and electric guitars 

@perfectstrangersindia @vanarosa11 @pranavdm @ananyarajaa @debjeetguitar @shalinimohanbass @vivekthomasproductions @sweethartman @akashshivakumar @joe_keys_jazz @preran.pramod

2. Rain Chant 

Composed and Produced by: Bryden Lewis

English Lyrics: Manek D'silva

Kannada Lyrics: Halakki Vokkaliga

Language: Kannada/English

Genre: Folk/Alt-Rock

Is there no stopping them, as we have Bryden & Parth deliver another rollicking Folk fusion here that takes them to number 2 on the list? This is following a phenomenal chart-topper last week called "Chameleon World". When the song starts off, I feel like I am listening to the opening folk portion of B Ajaneesh Loknath's 'Singara Siriye' from the hit movie "Kantara". 

Halakki Vokkaliga writes the Kannada lyrics and, after that, the guitar-led vocals start falling like beautiful droplets of rain. Bryden Lewis has composed the melody and he is also the guitarist and lead vocalist, for the English lines penned by Manek D'Silva. The humming gives a monumental feeling of hope and inspiration and the usual suspects join in making this transcendental chant rather than just a song. Osi Gomango plays the bass guitars and Liben Tom is the drummer. 

The sound of the Bnsuri played by Parth Chandiramani, like the chirping of a bird, makes all the pain and agony of a long hot summer go away. Here it is Jimmy Francis John singing the amazing Kannada lines aided by guitars, bass and Siddhart Kamat's Keys. The rain has just fallen, and then what do we get, the flowing stream in the form of Siddhart's Piano with the thunder roading percussions by Anthony Kamal. Just wait for the 3.2-minute mark when Anthony takes matters into his own hands literally and changes the tempo of the percussions. 

There is this segment of merriment as Parth and Siddharth go ahead with their jugalbandi on the steel flute and the Keys. The outro alaap is pure magic and may have some influences of Bhimpalasi Ragam. Vivek Thomas does a phenomenal job of mixing these varied tracks and Robin Schmidt does the mastering. The recording engineers are Vivek Thomas, Rahul Narayan and Siddhart Kamath

@brydenlewis @parth_chandiramani @libentom @kamaldrummer @siddhartkamath @jimmy_francis_john @osigomango @vivekthomasproductions 

3. Yeh Nazar

Singer: Adnan Sami

Music composer: Shor Police (Clinton Cerejo & Bianca Gomes)

Lyricist: Hussain Haidry

Produced & Arranged By: Shor Police 

Programmed & Orchestrated By: Yash Kapoor

Language: Hindi

Genre: Retro/Jazz

I will call this the most glorious comeback of Adnan Sami. He has been singing a few songs, but Shor Police offer him a delightful song, and Adnan grabs the opportunity with both hands. Bianca Gomes and Clinton Cerejo have composed, produced and arranged this song to perfection. It reminds me of "Ek ladki bheegi bhaagi si" for the tone and style.

Jeetendra Thakur doesn't play second fiddle in this song, as he is important as Adnan in this song's excellent output. Jeetendra plays the Violins and Violas and they are an absolute treat to the ears, laying all the beautiful groundwork for the song to take off. Narendra does brilliantly playing the Dholak, Tabla and percussion. The interlude is the union of Violin, Accordion and Guitar with Shomu Seal on guitars.

The stanza is beautiful in composition and Adnan excels in the high-pitched line towards the end of the stanza. He sings the line "naadan yeh nazar" with such a cool attitude and vocally this will easily be amongst the best of 2023. Yash Kapoor is in charge of all the orchestration and programming and he certainly earns top grades for that. The fast-paced Tabla at the end of the stanza is very wonderfully done by Krishna Gangani. The interludes repeat the second time just before the second stanza.

The last 30 seconds is an Adnan Show and he improvises and does these Jazzy aalaps that will for sure blow your mind away. Farhad K. DadyBurjor at The Sonic Laundry, Mumbai has mixed and mastered the tracks. The recording engineers are Vijay Dalal and Yash Kapoor. 

@shorpolice @clintoncerejo @iambinkybee @hussainhaidry @saregama_official @yash_kapoor @adnansamiworld @narendrapgangani 

4. Baarishon Ka Mausam 

Lyrics - Vijay Akela

Singer - Shahid Mallya

Music - Anuj Garg

Music Producer- Brince Bora

Additional Music Producer - Spacebound 

Genre: Pop/Semi classical 

It is such a rarity, to have a melodious single these days in Hindi. Last year Pritam's Jam 8 STudio worked on some scintillating songs and I featured 5 songs. This one is composed by Anuj Garg and to make it touch your heart we have one of the most gifted voices in Bollywood, Shahid Mallya. 

It is heartening to hear his mild ghamakas, and in the interlude we have Jobin David playing the stunning guitars. I feel the 'Baarishon ka mausam' all around me just by listening to this song, and even without stepping out of the door. Kudos to the relevant and beautiful words written by Vijay Akela. The stanza just gets richer in the quality of the notes and I am just falling in love with what he does with his vocals. Kaushal Sati, Diksha Garg are the music assistants. 

This is a fantastic composition but it would just not be fair if we don't appreciate the arrangements and production by Brince Bora. All additional production is by Spacebound. The tracks are mixed by Rupjit and mastered by Gethin John.

@anujddn @shahidmallya @vijayakela @rupjitplayheadstudio @iam_spacebound @himhansmusic @jobindavid @brincebora @dikshasatigarg12 

5. Meghave

Composed, programmed and mixed by Sumedh K aka Samusiq, Ashwin Mandoth, Aditi Prahalad.

Language: Kannada

Genre: Semi-classical Pop Fusion

These young college-going kids create a magical piece. Ashwin Mandoth along with Aditi Prahalad and Samusiq composed, programmed and mixed this gentle giant of a song and they are all aged 19-21. It is set in Raag Reethigowla and is blown away by the female vocals of Aditi and Mitra Hegde. The Keys and the sound of the finger flicks along with the mild sounds of the Salangai are beautiful when they combine. 

When the title line arrives, we get Mitra and Aditi performing in unison and it is one peaceful and transcendental portion. I got goosebumps when Aditi did that brilliant closed-mouth aalap. The Synts and Keys are played by Ashwin. The song is simple in structure with the 3 lines repeating along with the title, but it is undoubtedly rich in quality thanks to the vocals, composition and production. I am intrigued now and hope to hear more amazing creations from these youngsters. 

@mitra.hegde @aditi_prahalad @sumedhk119 @chiranthan_am @ashwin.mandoth 

6. By Your Side

Performed by Keane Cotta

Written by Keane Cotta

Produced by Adrian Sequiera

Language: English

Genre: Indie Pop

Keane Cotta is a 20-year-old singer-songwriter from Goa and he is just releasing his debut single. First of all, I take this opportunity to wish him the best of luck in his musical career. Now I'm elated because his debut is such an earworm that I have decided to feature it here amongst the best in the country for the week. 

Keane has written, composed, produced and sung this breezy love song and so look nowhere else if you want to sing or dedicate a song for your loved one. It is this one called 'By Your Side'. Keane has this very catchy voice texture and the moment he starts to sing, it is very difficult to focus anywhere else. But you might have to because there is so much more happening with the Pianoby Dayn Cotta, the excellent strumming of the acoustic guitars and the background strings section. The orchestration is done by Schubert Cotta who happens to be Kean's uncle. 

The segment where he sings "Be by your side" and pauses, and is followed by a beautiful set of notes on the strings section and the guitars. I love the interesting and funny lyrics " Together we'll conquer the world, like Bonnie & Clyde, not for worse. The Piano flows beautifully as we progress into the song, and nothing speaks love better than the Piano. Towards the end, the strings section arrangements are amazing when he repeats the title multiple times. 

The live strings are played by Fredrika Cotta on Violin, Syanna Fernandes on the Viola, and Mark Cotta on the Cello and these all are Keane's first cousins. This must be one musically gifted family. There is also Leander Vaz playing the Violin Kudos to Keane, on the writing, singing and some terrific production by Adrian Sequeira. 

@keanecotta @adriseqmusic

7. One Night

Music Composer & Lyrics: Aarya

Music Producer: Rahul Popawala and Raag Sethi

Language: English

Genre: Indie Pop

Aarya wrote this song after a one-night stand. Well, if one can compose a song this good after that, I am sure everybody would like to attempt a one-night stand for inspiration. Anyway, Aarya has made it a habit and I am now featuring him for the third time, with previous singles "My Pride" and "Peace Lily" also finding a place in my weekly charts. 

Aarya's strong points are his vocals, and his desire to offer something new through his songwriting every time. This song is produced by Rahul Popawala and Raag Sethi and they turn on the screws to make this song sound brilliant. His control and confidence to infuse improvisations are amazing, almost George Michael-esque. Lines like "I'll make it hard to breathe" and "alone, she acts like I'm nobody", especially after the ending word, are just glimpses of what this guy is capable of vocally. 

The keys, electric guitar, and harmonies all play a welcome role in elevating the song, thanks to the production. The outro is interesting with all other sounds fading away and we hear only claps and a chorus of "don't hold back". Protyay Chakraborty has done the mixing and mastering. 

@aaryboyy @raagsethi @rahulpopawala @varun.kanakia @protyaych

8. Chiriye Chiriye

Lyrics - VINAYAK SASIKUMAR 

Singer - K S HARISANKAR

Music Composed Arranged And Programmed By: Gopi Sundar

Language: Malayalam

Genre: Filmi Melody

Even if I don't get to hear a song by Gopi Sundar for a couple of months, it feels like a long dry patch. That just shows the incredible frequency at which Gopi keeps composing songs. This song is composed, arranged and programmed by Gopi and it features one of the best playback singers we have in this country today, KS Harisankar. 

Sandeep Mohan is raising the temperature here with his acoustic guitar and bass guitar. Harisankar can modify his voice to suit any scenario, and that is no ordinary feat. Ranging from a devotional piece to a pathos, he will be right on the money. Here his vocals are perfectly breezy for the love song that this is, and you can feel the romance when he is singing" nadhiye nadhiye, enna thodum nadhiye". Try and pay attention to the blissful guitar notes by Sandeep in the background. 

Gopi ensures a very enjoyable ride with his terrific keyboard and rhythm programming. The zone of happiness arrives when hit the first interludes and we feel like we travelled back to the 80s when Maestro Ilaiyaraja ruled the planet. The strings section looms large over us thanks to Carol, Francis Xavier, Josekutty, Herald, and Jain of Cochin Strings. Gopi arranged the strings and conducted the session. The sweet-sounding female humming comes from Christa Kala. 

The interlude is very interesting as we get a longer-than-usual pause of at least 8 seconds, and then we get a brief aalaap from Harisankar with a tinge of the Saxophone played by Subin Jerson. The stanza continues with the same beautiful melodic tone. Subin also plays the flute. The song is mixed and mastered by Midhun Anand and the recording engineers are Gopi and Kuriakose Paul. 

@harisankar_ks @gopisundar__official @gibsandeep @midhunanand_official @subinjerson @christakalaofficial @cochinstrings 

9. Tu Hahan Hai Mera

Performed by Javed Ali

Written by Rajib Mona, Ravi Basnet

Language: Hindi

Genre: Light Music

Javed Ali has been on a brilliant journey so far in 2023, singing a wide range of indie songs in Hindi. He is an excellent vocalist and I am glad he gets all the opportunities to exhibit his trade. The song is a beautiful melody that reminds us of the good times of the 1990s when Bollywood music always gave heartening tunes. 

Ravi Basnet is the lyricist by Rajib Mona. The song is composed and produced by Rajib-Mona. I have featured Rajib Roy Chowdhury before and the skill of the composers is becoming evident with the amazing arrangements. The introduction of the Tabla and the Strings section is beautiful and comes out in the lines "armaan hai mera, ehsaan hai tera, yaara". The mandolins and the strings create a nice pleasant interlude. The stanza too is such a treat to the ears, and Ahmed Humayun,s music production gets a nice intervention on keys as well. 

Enjoy this feel-good number thanks to Javed's mild and memorable ghamakas. 

@javedali4u @ravibasnet @rajibdroychowdhury @uniyalsona @sonianshul92 @movementcreationsllp 

10. Omme Helu Devare

Composition, Programming, Arrangements: Mayur Ambekallu

Vocals: Abhishek MR

Backing Vocals : Vishak Nagalapura, Narahari Achar, Mayur Ambekallu

Lyrics: Bhanuprakash Jois

Language: Kannada

Mayur Ambekallu scores very highly on this track, as we get flavours of so many styles, starting with Pop thanks to the guitars, and Abhishek MR's voice and Kannada rendition tell us that it is a light music melody. Mayur's arrangements and production are sizzling hot with the introduction of Tabla, harmonium and the Qawwali-styled chorus. Sourav Papti played the Harmonium. 

The song is about a guy who speaks to his grandfather's spirit and looks up to words of advice, for leading his life. The song's tone in that spirit makes us feel good and light, like when we have our favourite family member through our troubles and joys. The singing is spot-on as Abhishek serenades with the vocal texture, and there are similarities with Sonu Nigam. Vishak Nagalapura, Narahari Achar, and Mayur handle the backing vocals. 

The message comes through clearly thanks to Bhanuprakash Jois' lyrics. The Pianos and bass guitars are present ever so mildly but they add delicate layers to the song's beauty. Nikith Kashyap has done the mixing and mastering with Chethan and Nikith as recording engineers 

@mayurambekallu @bhanujois @soulcraftfactory @abhi_mr_22 @vishaknagalapura @narahariachar25 @dr_sourava_papti_

@nikith_kashyap22

11. Come Here

Written by Shuba, Jackson Wise, Rachel West, & Landen Rosenbloom

Produced by HOMI Music

Language: English

Genre: Indie Pop

I only recently discovered this US-based singer-songwriter Shuba after her ravishing performance for AR Rahman in the song 'Raawadi' in the album 'Pathu Thala'. Then when she released her EP 'Hot Girls' I listened to it without any bias or agenda and I was pleasantly taken aback. 

The song is written by Shuba, Jackson Wise, Rachel West, & Landen Rosenbloom and according to me, it is the best of the EP. Although I did like the Title song and 'Bad Dates' as well. Shuba's singing is the highlight where she delivers many minute elements of vibrato with terrific ease and style. In the song 'Hot Girls' I love the line "Yea, hot girls want good guy, simple love love love, easy on the eyes, means they're are too good at goodbyes". 

'Come Here' is one level and notch up as Shuba experiments even more with the vocals. There are moments when she is teasing, like "passive-aggressive, oh, left me no message". The writing is lovely, showing how a woman can rise and stay indifferent and detached from the idea of a man if he happens to be her ex. The lines "I love it when he's gone, I love it when he's wrong" shows the intent. HOMI Music handles all the excellent production. The keyboards and rhythms are engaging and set the mood well.

You might be blown away by her vocal skill and inventive ghamakas when she ends the line " And you call when you want me by your side". It gets spicier when she goes " Love you always". The tracks are mixed and mastered by Jonas Jalhay. The percussions and vocal harmonies are all excellent elements that glorify the song even more

@shubamusic @landenrosenbloom

12. Tabaahi (stripped-down version)

Vocals: Armaan Malik

Composers: OAFF, Armaan Malik

Producer: OAFF

Performers: Armaan Malik, OAFF, Lavine DaCosta 

Lyrics: Abhiruchi Chand

This song was released a couple of months ago, and I did finds some interesting bits, but when the stripped-down version came out, I knew this felt like the real thing. The production by OAFF and Armaan's dreamy vocals stand out. The composition is by Armaan and OAFF with lyrics by Abhiruchi Chand.

If the earlier version was all EDM, this one had more soul, purpose and magic casting spells with the progression of every chord. The Piano starts playing and the vocal harmonies are punching in, but out of nowhere comes Armaan's sensational aalaap, probably set in Raag Yamunakalyani. The line "hoon zameen pe ya aasamaan" with an amazing falsetto by Armaan transpires with the Cello in the background. It is Lavine Da Costa on the stirring Cello. 

The song production is just fitting, without any unnecessary embellishments. The Piano flows like a gentle perennial river and the coming together of the Piano, Cello and Armaan's vocals are uplifting. Prathamesh Dudhane does the mixing and mastering.

@oaffmusic @armaanmalik @abhiruchichand @lavinedacosta @prathmeshdudhane @studioislandcity @alwaysmusicglobal @warnermusicindia

13. Barse More Naina

Written - Sanchit Khosla, Rishabh Raghuvanshi

Composed -Sanchit Khosla, Rishabh Raghuvanshi

Performed - Sanchit Khosla, Rishabh Raghuvanshi

Language: Traditional

Genre: Classical Fusion

The duo are one of the most famous acts in India and I am glad that I am finally featuring a single by Khosla Raghu. The singer-songwriter Rishabh Raghuvanshi and producer/multi-instrumentalist Sanchit Khosla bring an irresistible earworm here into our lives which is a marriage of modern sounds and a melody rich in Indian Classical tones. 

The vocals are immaculate and the acoustic guitars along with stylish rhythms and keys do the trick. The layers of vocals, with a certain time lag, feel great to hear. To me , it sounds like Raag Hamsadhwani, and the keyboard programming keeps getting intense with the swaras being sung despite its simplicity, the song feels substantial in impact. The tracks are mixed and mastered by both Sanchit and Rishabh. 

@khoslaraghumusic @indiearecords

14. Raa Silaka

Music: Kalyani Malik 

Lyrics: Kasarla Shyam 

Singers: Deepu, Vaishnavi Kovvuri

Language: Telugu

Genre: Light Music

Kalyani Malik must be congratulated for composing this song that just oozes quality. It is representative of 90s golden era of music and when I hear this another composition by the great Vidyasagar comes to mind " Chella Nam Vetttukku". I believe that is why this is set in Raag Brindavani Sarang. 

Ravi Shankar's flute introduces us to the song and we have a male-female chorus along with the percussions and the background strings section to delight us. The interlude has more flute intervention and the Keys give that funky modern touch. Deepu and Vaishnavi Kovvuri are the lead vocalists who deliver the lines with minimum fuss and maximum likability. Sandilya Pisapati plays the Violin and Vinay Kumar is a mix/master engineer. 

@itskalyanimalik @vaishnavi.k_f @shyamkasarlalyrics @sandilya_pisapati @raviflute