This is Billboard India’s weekly Editorial series No Skip. Every Monday, we tell you exactly what to listen to – songs handpicked by the Billboard India team from last week’s crop of music releases. Tracks from Indian artists across film, indie, regional and the diaspora community are eligible.
Below are this week’s No Skip selections to kick off your week right.
- “Ittefaq” by Deepika Seth, Sagar Verma, Rohan Upadeo
This is Seth’s first single from her upcoming debut record Qisse कल Ke. Her lilting vocals, keening string sections and complex layering make the indie ballad a compelling listen. The song explores themes of finding new love, evokes dreamy soundscapes and has simple, yet effective Hindustani lyricism. Listen up for the Carnatic guitar improvisations or licks in the second verse.
- “Qaid” by Swati Bhatt, Dhruv Visvanath
A cappella style vocals, flamenco guitar, commentary on consumerist society – come together on this single by Bhatt, where she loops in indie veterans like Dhruv Visvanath for production and Keshav Dhar – of Skyharbor and film music fame, for mixing. The finesse is palpable on the strummy, well-paced track that is Bhatt’s first in Hindi.
- “Olivin Poovu” by MAKAN., abhiraman
Sampled climatic sounds of pouring rain and rumbling thunder make for a pleasant contrast to the breezy synths and Malayalam rap on this track. Abhi Raman croons on this almost lo-fi production, while MAKAN.’s rhythmic flow reminds us why regional rap is one of the most exciting things to look out for today.
- “Hoor” by Faheem Abdullah, Arslan Nizami, Qaiser Nizami
This Coke Studio Bharat track tells a Kashmiri folk tale, carrying forward the oral music tradition of the valley. This rendition is rooted in rock sonics, for a more passionate version of the folklore narration. The song, at the six-minute mark is an evolving listen with building sections, as the three voices are layered over one another. The outro is especially potent with the indigenous stringed instruments getting their due.
- “Chingari” by Vijai Bulganin, Sid Sriram, Lipsika Bhashyam
On this Telugu film soundtrack, the vocal chemistry between Sriram and Bhashyam is hard to ignore. A thumping beat that does not overwhelm, juxtaposed against the serenading flute sections and shifting melodies keeps things interesting. Filmy music at its best – the song – composed by Bulganin under the supervision of Balasubramanian G, takes good care to let Sriram’s sharp tenor and Bhashyam’s sweet soprano blend rather than clash.
- “Don’t Say That” by Savera
Savera is a familiar voice if you’ve been tuned into Gen Z Hindi cinema, with his songwriting and vocals making an appearance on tracks like “Doobey” and “Hone Jo Jo Hota Hai”. His languid, mumble style of singing can get you increasingly hooked. On this new independent single, drum and bass sections push the production to more than the humble singer-songwriter genre, with beeps and loops that sound like a riot to record over.
