This week, we dive into the must-hear new music releases, from Kairvina’s lush, reflective EP and Dorwin John donning a disco-ball on his head for the “Kishte” music video, to Justh’s first new music since “Chor” with “Unse Jaake Kehdo” and many more.
Kairvina – Eternal EP
Singer-songwriter Kairvina crafts dreamy indie-folk-informed pop on her second EP Eternal. With an able assist producer and fellow artist Joshua Singh, there’s a fluttering kind of joy held within the title track, plus a more melancholic, Radiohead-esque shift on “The Damaged” plus dramatic flourishes in terms of vocals on “Squint Your Eyes” and “Bait.” The artist says in a press release, “Eternal EP holds a lot of questions and moments of self-reflection. It doesn’t exist to solve anything, it exists to sit with you in times of chaos and painful loneliness.”
Oliver Kim, Damini Bhatla – “Chinnadhaana”
Visakhapatnam singer-songwriter Oliver Kim and Hyderabad-based Damini Bhatla team up for a heartwarming love duet in their indie style. Buoyed in a playful rhythm with acoustic guitars, the Telugu song is a breath of fresh air in its understated composing approach. The artists say in a statement, “The song conveys a cute love story between two lovers. The music, vocals and the ambiance of the song is promised to make the listener feel like they are a part of the song.”
Maahi, Zain-Sam, Rashmi Virag – “Jaan Se Zyada”
Among Indian pop’s youngest new heartthrobs when it comes to love songs, Maahi plays to his strength as an affable voice on his latest single “Jaan Se Zyada.” The song is composed by Zain-Sam with lyrics by Rashmi Virag, while the music video gets into a nostalgic setting, featuring Maahi’s parents, singer Shaan and his wife Radhika Mukherji appearing. Maahi says, “‘Jaan Se Zyada’ is close to my heart for many reasons. The song is timeless, it can connect with all generations! And, the most heartwarming fact is that the music video features my own parents, showcasing a glimpse of their love story through me and Aadhya. It feels surreal to be part of this piece of magic, and I’m really looking forward to the world showering love on this music video.”
Justh – “Unse Jaake Kehdo”
True to his promise, Justh didn’t want to rush to put out his next song on the back of his 2023 single “Chor.” He’s taken his time to release his new song “Unse Jaake Kehdo” and it shows that it’s a labor of love that’s also true to his charming Hindi pop storytelling. He says, “It’s been over a year and a half since ‘Chor’ released. After the song connected, I wanted to go even deeper into myself and create music that feels true, authentic, and pure. I’ve poured a lot of life, hard work, and soul into ‘Unse Jaake Kehdo,’ and I believe in the song with all my heart. A lot of super talented people have worked with me on the audio and video, and I’m really excited to bring this song to the world.”
Zian B – “Ace of Spades”
Mumbai-based jazz vocalist and artist Zian B channels pain and turns it into hope on her latest song “Ace of Spades.” Made with Tizaan Alphonso and Anurag Naidu, there’s groovy double bass by Yann Phayphet and drums by Ishan Jadwani as Zain sings about the gambles in life. In particular, she talks about how she turned to music amid “deep physical and emotional struggle following a prolapsed disc injury and a long battle with sciatica pain.” She adds, “I didn’t want the song to sound gloomy. It had to sound like hope. I wanted it to uplift — to romanticize the small wins and create something that helps people feel better, not broken.”
The Lightyears Explode – “Dead People”
Mumbai rock act The Lightyears Explode push forward into punk and rock ‘n roll-inspired sounds with their distinctive dancey spirit on their latest song “Dead People.” Sure, it takes its title from cult film The Sixth Sense, but there’s an anthemic spirit that veers away from anything too macabre, rather focusing on the mindless doomscroll times. The band says in a statement, “It describes a society strapped down by systems they can’t or don’t question, ruled by flash trends and algorithms. People without curiosity or imagination, going through life but not truly living.”
Dorwin John – “Kishte”
From the crackle of a record playing to nostalgic synth, there’s an old-world, disco-laced pop bent to Dorwin John’s latest song, “Kishte.” The singer-producer has been promoting it with a prominent visual motif of being dressed in a suit with a disco ball for a head. It even features in the visualizer for the bittersweet song. He says, “The disco ball helmet isn’t just a prop; it’s an extension of the emotions in ‘Kishte’ – the idea of being present yet reflective, guarded yet expressive. Placing this surreal element within the very real, vibrant, and sometimes overwhelming tapestry of Mumbai created a paradox that truly embodies the song’s spirit.”
Tasha Keswani – “All My Life”
Singer-songwriter Tasha Keswani is among artists who wrote music during the contemplative, locked-down period of the pandemic and continue to put it out. “All My Life” certainly does have a wider, more universal meaning even if it was written during a specific time period, driven by pop vocals, alt-rock guitar and piano melodies, and a roomy drum beat to back it up. She says, “I hope this song reminds the listener that the secret to having it all is knowing you already do; that by being grateful for what we have one forgets what we lack. I wrote this song during the pandemic when I realised that I was getting so lost in my thoughts and emotions that I was allowing special moments to pass me by.”
Pina Colada Blues, Jai Matt, Shafi Ali – “Toffee Syrup”
Kerala-born, U.S.-raised and Mumbai-based pop artist Jai Matt brings a breathy, playful Malayalam pop song with “Toffee Syrup,” with ace production from Pina Colada Blues. In under two minutes, they craft an earworm, buoyed by lyricist Shafi Ali’s Malayalam wordplay. The artists say the song intends to blend “2000s R&B nostalgia and Y2K energy.”
Gvnd, Whoisavi – “Thaalam”
It’s safe to say that Malayalam hip-hop has some of the most compelling bars and visual stories to boot. The latest addition to the canon is “Thaalam” by bilingual rapper Gvnd and producer Whoisavi. The Malayalam song has a hair-raising thriller of a music video and excels in the bars going over a South Indian percussive sample. A press release says, “‘Thaalam’ is a dark, cinematic journey through rhythm and introspection—a modern hip-hop hymn rooted in ancestral percussion. Gvnd’s verses wrestle with self-doubt and spiritual chaos, attempting to obtain redemption through his rhythm, delivered in a naadan sinister flow over eerie, distorted 808s and a thumping mridangam-tabla bounce crafted by Whoisavi.”
Bhaktaaa x Devonian – “Bahane/Nishaane”
Hip-hop artist Bhaktaaa teams up with producer Devonian for a two-sided new track “Bahane/Nishaane.” Tracking his journey over a wistful beat in the first half, the mood quickly changes into something more intense, picking up speed when you least expect it. The artist says “Bahane” is “introspective and moody” and explores his internal struggles and is intentionally tense. “Nishaane,” for its part, “erupts with ruthless energy and clarity.” The press release adds, “Bhaktaaa flips the narrative, declaring that even if he keeps his distance, he sees everything — and no one is off his radar. It’s a warning shot with lyrical precision and explosive beats that hit like a second wind.”
Agsy – “Jatt Baija”
New Delhi hip-hop artist Agsy starts her new song “Jatt Baija” by just uttering one word as a hook to tell us what it’s all about—drama. In Punjabi, Hindi and English, Agsy weaves in between languages for unfettered takes, armed with the intent to bruise some egos. She says, “‘Jatt Baija’ is the rawest version of me yet — unfiltered, unshaken, and unapologetically loud. So, Haters better sit down and take notes.”
Source:https://rollingstoneindia.com/new-music-agsy-maahi-justh-dorwin-john/