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 30 tracks to vote for their picks.
This week’s No Skip features a timely rendition of a Gujarati folk poem by Indian Ocean, an electrifying original film track from Sean Roldan and a velvety debut single from Jerusha Mendes. Here’s the list.
1. “Vaishnav Jan” by Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean take on Narsinh Mehta’s beloved Gujarati devotional poem “Vaishnav Jan,” giving the classic composition their own rock-driven treatment. Manjira and tabla sit alongside the band’s guitars and drums, creating a lively blend of folk and rock.
The result is an uplifting rendition of a Gujarati classic that arrives at an especially fitting time — Gandhi Jayanti, as a tribute to the Mahatma’s adoption of “Vaishnav Jan” as one of his favourite bhajans.
2. “Beqadra” by Faheem Abdullah, Shanya Kashyap
“Beqadra” finds a strong balance between Indian classical-style vocals, electronic production and rock instrumentation. Abdullah’s vocals sit beautifully over the atmospheric arrangement, while Kashyap’s harmonies add another layer to the song without overwhelming it. The different elements move together naturally, building a textured, immersive track that feels thoughtfully put together.
3. “Oru Kadhaley” by Sean Roldan
Sean Roldan settles into a classic pop-rock sound on “Oru Kadhaley,” built around ringing electric guitars and a driving drumline. As an accomplished composer, Roldan has a natural feel for the arrangement, bringing both energy and melodic ease to the track. The result is a fun, romantic pop-rock number that wears its classic influences proudly.
4. “Hooked on You” by Jerusha Mendes
Jerusha Mendes brings a velvety quality to “Hooked on You,” an extremely fun track built around an Afrobeat-inspired groove. The bassline is tasteful and understated, while the violin that comes in around the chorus is an especially refreshing touch. These details give the song more depth than its catchy surface suggests.
5. “Pokam Dhoore” by Ahad Ayyaril, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Divya Vineeth, Ajay Unnirajan
“Pokam Dhoore” pairs strong vocals with a sweeping, cinematic production. Ayyaril’s warm delivery builds into a Hindi verse, while Sreenivasan and Divya Vineeth bring their own vocal textures to the song. Traditional Malayali horns add another layer to the arrangement, alongside its rich mix of acoustic and contemporary sounds. The result is a polished song that balances its expansive production with a strong melodic core.
6. “I Met Her Again” by Maan Panu, tav
Kumaoni singer Maan Panu brings a soft, melodic quality to tav’s bright, expansive production on “I Met Her Again.” The arrangement layers synths and bass with a mandolin played by Manash Saikia, adding an acoustic, Indian folk-leaning texture to the otherwise contemporary production. Panu’s understated vocals complement the intricate arrangement nicely, giving the song a warm, reflective quality as it moves through its story of heartbreak and finding comfort in oneself.
