The onset of India’s monsoon season has also brought in a deluge of incredible music releases this June, flooding in a multi-genre buffet of music, each heightening a musician’s proficiency and command over their artistry.
Below is our monthly summary, where we shuffle through music releases ranging from indie-pop duo Kairose’s second music release to hip-hop crew PATAKA BOYS – who seamlessly utilize a yesteryear R&B sample, while rock band Ehsaas and singer-songwriter Frizzell D’Souza continue to build toward their record releases.
Ramil Ganjoo – ‘Pehli Baarish’
Musician Ramil Ganjoo frees his newest composition ‘Pehli Baarish’ (First Rain) in time for India’s monsoon season. Enveloped with strummy acoustic guitars and horn segments, Ramil allures you to a delightful setting of peaceful bliss in just a few notes. Speaking about the song, Ramil shared in a press statement, “It’s sonically different and more personal on the writing front. With every release, I feel I am getting one step closer to knowing myself better.”
“We all have certain emotions lying right there under our skin, waiting to be washed away by the first rain of the season,” said the artist. “That’s the main inspiration of the title.”
Kairose – ‘Your Beautiful Eyes’
Billed as ‘a celebration of love and growth,’ New Delhi-based pop-rock/indie-pop pair Kairose presents their sophomore outing, ‘Your Beautiful Eyes.’ The tune serves as an homage to folks whose beauty is revealed through their empathy and kindheartedness.
‘Your Beautiful Eyes’ courses through with an ambient-pop feel, complete with an easygoing guitar riff and wistful singing courtesy of Vasudev Singh and Apoorva Malik. Kairose debuted with ‘Roses’ in February 2024 and are slated to unpack additional music releases later this year.
Ishaan Nigam – ‘Gulchharre’
Singer-songwriter Ishaan Nigam submits his fifteen independent releases in ‘Gulchharre‘ – an indie-pop melody puffing out an optimistic feel and cheery sonics. Produced by composer Advait Sawant, with KavyaKriti rendering backing vocals, Nigam skillfully crafts a feel-good single over a playful pop rhythm.
Speaking about his latest release, Nigam shared, “We are often passionate about something but end up doing something else for the sake of survival. But in our dream world, we are the free bird and living that passionate life to the fullest.” Cleverly framed into the song is the term ‘Gumshuda’ (lost/missing) from the lyrics “Gumshuda.., nadan hai bechara ye dil,” which also calls back to his 2023 release, ‘Gumshuda Main Hoon.’
PATAKA BOYS – ‘Megaloblast
Glistening brightly on the back of their debut release ‘Bappi Lahiri,’ rap trio PATAKA BOYS (PAV4N, Sonnyjim, and Kartik) toss out their second single ‘Megaloblast’ from their upcoming album ‘Thugs from Amritsar.’ Laced together with English and Punjab rhymes and coated over an audio sample from R&B singer Latimore’s soulful track ‘Dig a Little Deeper‘ (1978), the hip-hop bars are unhurried yet feisty and fierce.
Speaking about the track, Sonnyjim shared, “This song is about Sonny and Pav’s excellent adventure burning a hole through rural Punjab-A three week wave condensed into a three-minute song. And was basically an overall summary of the journey.” Directed and edited by Megan Katti, its music video is as captivating as its lyrics, with expert framing and transitions, catching different moments of the PATAKA BOYS’ life on the road.
Aman Sagar and Shivam Sengupta – ‘Dil Tedha’
Singer-songwriters and producers Aman Sagar and Shivam Sengupta stir in a buoyant Hindi pop single ‘Dil Tedha’ via Molfa Music, spurred on traits of modern romance such as situationships, infatuations, and love that is not reciprocated. The ex-roommates from Berklee hook in a delicious rhythm with earnest lyrics and deliver a catchy feel-good tune that perfectly complements the present wet season.
“This song has been inspired by the countless instances of infatuation and the great pop tunes that played in my head in all those instances in my life,” said Aman. “But what makes the song really special is despite being roommates at Berklee, this is the first song that Shivam and I worked on together, so putting it out after all these years is quite a good nostalgic feeling. Though we both think the other person’s parts in the song are catchier.”
“Aman also writes the catchiest choruses and I tend to write super weird esoteric parts, so the blend of those writing styles really grabs one’s ear and sticks to it,” Shivam added.
Tienas X Artemis – ‘Bronchitis’
After spitting rabid rap bars on singer Rushaki’s dark-pop/electronica single ‘Cost of Love,’ producer/rapper Tienas chucks out his latest rap single ‘Bronchitis.’ A smashing mix of hip-hop and dubstep, the track is produced by Artemis and sets in with restless, raw/electro-percussive sonics. Tienas’s rap lyrics are unhinged, explicit, and snappy, layered over a bass-heavy rhythm threaded with a throbbing dubstep beat.
Siddhant Goenka -‘Alvida’
Singer-songwriter Siddhant Goenka continues to make strides in his music career, launching his sixth single ‘Alvida.’ Clocking in at nearly four minutes, this Hindi-worded melancholic rock ballad begins with delicate keys and sturdy vocals, gradually rumbling with hushed percussive patterns and blaring electric guitar chords.
Goenka tidily folds in an alap vocal segment after the chorus, an instantaneous addition while in the studio, showcasing his prowess as a musician and composer. Via press release, the artist stated, “‘Alvida’ is a powerful reflection on all relationships that have seen better days and eventually faded away.”
Like his previous music videos, Goenka uses AI to frame an eerie backdrop complete with fire and brimstone raining down over a cemetery as musicians play their trade surrounded by flames and lightning.
Ehsaas- ‘Kis Ko Kahu’
Leading up to their album release, Ahmedabad-based indie rock band Ehsaas persists in churning out striking rock presentations dropping a delectably composed Hindi-worded rock single ‘Kis Ko Kahu’ (‘Who Should I Tell’). Maneuvered by coursing guitar patterns and plucky bass action, this song serves as a tribute to a close companion of the band, who has overcome years of adversity and come out stronger.
The release is complemented by a music video intercut with a performance at home and scenes representing one woman’s uphill battle in a tumultuous relationship. The songwriters communicated, “This track speaks to resilience, strength, and the power of the human spirit.”
Roy Ft. Avida- ‘KUDI’
Reputed singer/composer Roy follows up on recent music releases ‘Chhod Ke Na Jaa’ and ‘I Feel You’ adding a new single ‘KUDI’ to his roster of independently composed music. Darned with Hindi lyrics, Roy presents a slick dance-pop tune, sealed with dollops of house and synth-pop.
Roy fetches in singer/choreographer Vedika Agarwal aka Avida to perform a few vocal segments on the track, adding an elegant flair to the groovy melody. As per the artist, ‘Kudi’ “celebrates the unique role of women as the shining stars in our lives.”
Frizzell D’Souza – ‘Long To Be’
After releasing ‘Symmetries‘ in early June, singer-songwriter Frizzell D’souza continues to lay the pathway toward her upcoming sophomore record, freeing a new single ‘Long To Be.’ Stitched together with plucky string and her staple lenient fretwork, the melody is accentuated by glistening production and delicate vocal harmonies.
Frizzell communicated, “‘Long To Be’ is about the nuances of delicate, platonic love. It’s not the grand gestures or Hollywood scripts. It’s rather the quiet moments and everyday kindnesses that truly define it.”
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