AHH’s indie picks of the month
Editor’s Note: Once a month, we feature a fantastic playlist of the best new indie music curated by our partners A Humming Heart (AHH). Independently run and reader-supported, AHH also supports upcoming indie musicians through their Artist Fund.
Welcome to AHH’s Best New Music, where we shine a spotlight on the most exciting new independent music tracks! We've hand-picked a diverse collection that showcases the incredible talent and creativity of emerging artists. From infectious blends of hip-hop, jazz, and soul to introspective reflections on the world around us, we think you'll find something to love in this selection.
‘Fly feat. Sange Wangchuk’ by Fakeer & the Arc: Bengaluru-based act Fakeer and the Arc make a captivating return with their latest track ‘Fly’. The song, which blends elements of hip-hop, jazz, and soul, features drummer Sange Wangchuk (part of neo-soul band T.ill APES) and bassist Raghuraman Ramasubramanian. Serving as their first release since their debut EP Ikigai in 2020, ‘Fly’ that “examines ‘hustle culture’ which our generation seems to be trapped in” stays true to Fakeer and the Arc's experimental songwriting style, delving into various genres within its concise three-minute duration.
‘Your Love feat Dappest’ by Meba Ofilia x Issamood: ‘Your Love’ sets the perfect mood for the sweltering summer season with its infectious and irresistible groove. This exciting collaboration features independent artists Meba Ofilia, Dappest, and Issamood, showcasing their unique talents on a catchy and groovy track that captures the essence of summer. Performed by Meba Ofilia and Dappest, and produced by Issamood, the song is also accompanied by a pretty fun music video. If you enjoyed ‘Calm Down’, this one could probably be for you.
‘On My Way feat Elttwo’ by Tsumyoki: Tsumyoki's latest album, A Message from the Moon highlights his growing prominence in the indie scene. At just 19 years old, he became the youngest artist signed by DIVINE's record label, Gully Gang Records, in 2021. One standout track from the new 13-track album is ‘On My Way’, a collaboration with Elttwo from Goa Trap Culture. Drawing inspiration from an Instagram Reel on creating a choir, the duo ventured into Afrobeat territory, resulting in a captivating hook. Tsumyoki candidly acknowledges that while the song may not carry a deep meaning in terms of lyrics, “it sounds so freaking good”. Spoiler: It does :)
‘Read My Lips’ by Big Bang Blues: Formed in 2009 by blues guitarist Sushant Thakur, Big Bang Blues is a Delhi-based band known for their soulful sound. Their latest track, 'Read My Lips,' serves as a poignant commentary on the rampant sensationalism in modern news media. With compelling lyrics and the rock n roll vibe, 'Read My Lips' encourages listeners to question and analyse the information they consume, urging them to seek the truth amidst the noise.
‘Paheli’ by Kappi Kat: Jagravi Rao, known as Kappi Kat, presents his artistic vision in the latest track 'Paheli'. Jagravi has enlisted Gargi Ajay Upadhyay and Viva on vocals, Tushar Lall on keyboards and Parth Malhotra on drums. Rao doesn't like to be boxed into genres, but his music draws inspiration from Indian classical music, and he manages to weave its essence into the soundscape of 'Paheli'.
Keeping up with indie
What happens when artists interview artists? Expect a raw and honest conversation filled with plenty of insights, laughter, and unique stories. In the second edition of our on-ground series BACKSTAGE, we have three incredibly talented Indian independent musicians Dhruv Visvanath, Tanmaya Bhatnagar and Bharg Kale who candidly discussed their personal musical journeys, the ever-evolving indie scene, the challenges and triumphs of being independent artists and more, including what colour their music is!
We hope you enjoyed this month's selection of independent music. We invite you to stay up-to-date with the latest and greatest in the indie scene through our regularly updated Spotify playlist, Currents.
