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 layered devotional composition from A.R. Rahman, a vintage-inspired swing release from Imon, and new tracks spanning atmospheric indie, socially conscious hip-hop, dance-pop and Marathi rap. Here’s the list.
1. “Mangal Rang” by A.R. Rahman, Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal, Kumar Vishwas
A.R. Rahman continues to demonstrate his command over devotional compositions with “Mangal Rang.” The layered arrangement lends the song a sense of grandeur, while Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal carry the composition with the grace the film and characters demand.
2. “Colour” by Imon
“Colour” is a charming 1920s-style swing composition, paired with a gentle modern beat. Imon channels the vocal sensibilities of crooning greats like Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, while the delicate arrangement of guitar and swing drums keeps things simple. The song is a lovely mashup of vintage character and contemporary production.
3. “Ghar Aaja” by Vilen, GARVV
“Ghar Aaja” sees Vilen delving into an Indian classical-inspired vocal style while GARVV supports it with contemporary electronic production. Built around 808s, keyboards and acoustic guitar, the arrangement gradually settles into an atmospheric soundscape. The contrast between the traditional vocal inflections and bass-reliant production gives the track its character.
4. “Daal Chawal” by Saniya MQ, Hashbass
“Daal Chawal” is a sharp, poignant release from Mumbai MC Saniya MQ. The femcee continues her socially conscious writing, taking aim at communalism, poverty, crimes against women and a range of other pressing issues. Hashbass brings the production weight to match, building the track around hard-hitting trap drums and a bass-heavy beat.
5. “Winner” by Sarah Black
“Winner” is a well-produced pop track built around a lively dance beat and an instantly catchy hook, with Sarah Black declaring, “I’m a winner.” Her smooth vocal delivery sits comfortably over the upbeat production, making for an easygoing, feel-good listen.
6. “BHANGADI” by MANDAR, Year Down
“BHANGADI” is another high-energy Marathi rap release from Year Down, carrying forward elements of his earlier hit “YEDA YUNG” with YUNG DSA. The production pairs a bass-thumping beat with flashes of sitar and an almost abrasive violin line, giving the track a distinct edge. MANDAR takes on the street realities of his hometown, Amravati, Maharashtra, with an unfiltered account of life in the city.
