No Skip is Billboard India’s weekly roundup of the best new Indian music. Every Monday, we sift through last week’s crop of releases to put out the ultimate playlist – handpicked by the Billboard India team. Tracks from Indian artists across any genre (including the diaspora), released on any major streaming platform until Friday night are considered for editorial curation. This week, the team sifted through a pool of over 40 tracks to vote for their picks.
This week’s No Skip features a romantic Punjabi track from Sachin-Jigar and Arijit Singh, a yearning guitar-led release from Osho Jain, and a Sufi qawwali-inspired composition from Niyam, alongside other promising new releases. Here’s the list.
1. “Tum Se Tum Tak” by Niyam
Jey Khamari and Kinshu of Niyam, alongside lead vocalist Yatharth Jain, make a compelling case for Sufi qawwali with “Tum Se Tum Tak.” Harmonium, tabla and traditional qawwali claps give the track its cultural pull, making for an atmospheric, immersive listen. The arrangement feels rooted in the tradition, while the melody gives the song plenty of emotional depth.
2. “Dhoond” by Akshath
“Dhoond” showcases Akshath Acharya’s growth as a musician, with a mature, well-rounded electronic composition. Electronic textures blend seamlessly with acoustic guitar and a classic drumline, while Milan D’Agostini’s production keeps the arrangement tight. Akshath’s vocals are as strong as ever, rounding out one of his more assured releases.
3. “Pyara Pyara” by Juss, Pragati Nagpal, MixSingh
“Pyara Pyara” finds a sweet spot between contemporary Punjabi pop and acoustic warmth. The 808-driven beat sits comfortably alongside guitar and violin, while Juss and Pragati Nagpal’s gentle vocals keep the song easygoing. MixSingh brings the elements together into a feel-good track that’s hard not to enjoy.
4. “Teri Marzi Hai” by Osho Jain
Singer-songwriter Osho Jain approaches “Teri Marzi Hai” like a purist, leaning on his songwriting and textured vocals to carry the track. The electric guitar-led production, layered with subtle electronic elements, perfectly complements the yearning in his voice.
5. “Chann” by Sachin-Jigar, Arijit Singh, Amitabh Bhattacharya
“Chann” is a sweet Punjabi track built around Sachin-Jigar’s signature silky-smooth romantic sound. Arijit Singh floats over the composition with effortless warmth, giving the song great sonic depth. It’s Sachin-Jigar and Arijit Singh — not much can go wrong, and not much does.
6. “Ayyoo Ayyayyo” by Siddhu Kumar, Bharath K Rajesh
Siddhu Kumar taps into the quirky, youthful energy of Haiku with “Ayyoo Ayyayyo.” The jumpy composition rides on high-energy beats, occasional horn flourishes and playful vocal layering, with Bharath K Rajesh bringing plenty of character to the performance. It’s a fun, offbeat soundtrack cut that fits the film’s premise.
