Homegrown Handpicked - April 2025 
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Homegrown Handpicked: A Playlist Of Our Favourite Tracks From April 2025

Disha Bijolia

Just like seasonal fruits, each time of year brings with it its own mood and genres that call to you. The Monsoon, I'm guessing, rolls in like a bittersweet ballad, with the melancholic gloom of soulful indie rock that mirrors those rainy afternoons. Winter, on the other hand, creeps in with a brooding chill, guiding us into punk rock and darkwave.

And then comes summer— that makes everything bright and cheery. This is the time of poolside parties, sundowners, icy-cool drinks, and late breezy nights. Like the ambience of vacation it brings, Summer calls for disco, funk, house, and perhaps some synthwave for those evening rides.

While we would never be the ones to tell you what to listen to, when nature itself creates the perfect backdrop for certain sonic aesthetics, it's better not to look a gift sunset in the mouth.

Here's our playlist for the month of April:

Call Me Back - NATE08, Sahirah

A summer-ready groove for early-evening pool parties, NATE08's new single, 'Call Me Back', featuring rising vocalist Sahirah is a mix of RnB, funk, and house. The track leans into 2000s nostalgia with a crisp, catchy hook. Born out of a real heated argument, the lyrics dig into the frustration of overthinking and mixed signals — waiting for a call that never comes. But here you can dance to it.

Crash - Danish Sood, Pranay Parti

Danish, an actor, singer-songwriter, and audio producer from New Delhi is known for his rich mix of warm melodies and modern electronics. He creates a distinctive blend of contemporary R&B, smooth jazz, and neo-soul, with his music often exploring themes of unrequited love and relationships. His latest single delves into the bittersweet process of convincing yourself that you're over someone, while still recalling all the small things that made them special.

Nazia - Shrae, Donanki

'Ajab Si Gypsy' is a concept EP by Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Share and producer/composer duo Donanki. Divided into a three-part visual narrative by director Nimit Kaushik, the EP is centered around Gypsy, an unpredictable character whose moods become the journey each track takes. The disco and funk-heavy, 'Nazia' offers a flirtatious and bright begining into the EP.

Jab Woh Aayi - KIMKID

KIMKID's 'Jab Woh Aayi' dives into the emotional rollercoaster of a long-distance relationship — the loneliness, the missed calls, and the sweet reunions you count down days for. Produced by Vedanta Razz, with lyrics by Dipyaman Chakrabarti the track wears its 90s Indi-pop influence proudly, with a breezy, yet slightly melancholic arrangement. Archisman Kundu’s animated video wraps it all up in a soft, train journey overlooking pink skies.

Kalash Reimagined - Delara,Talal Qureshi, Charan, BEAM

Norwegian singer Delara's hit single, 'Kalash', from the album 'Shahrazad' gets reworked by Pakistani electropop pioneer Talal Qureshi, featuring Indian singer-songwriter Charan and Jamaican-American rapper BEAM. With its pop, R&B, trap, and dancehall influences, the remix captures an emotional journey, balancing vulnerability and release, and showcasing a beautiful, collaborative celebration of global identities.

MR. RAMBO - YUNG SAMMY

YUNG SAMMY, the Indo-Nigerian rapper from Delhi is back with his latest single, 'MR. RAMBO'. The artist blends Hindi, Pidgin English, and sharp, street-rooted lyricism over a heavy, hard-hitting beat in the track. Part of DESI TRILL’s 'Brown Is Everywhere Vol. 2', the track is a reflection on strength, survival, and navigating tough environments. The accompanying music video places Sammy in a modern-day Rambo-esque narrative, caught between gang rivalries and unexpected twists.

Non Believers - tv dinner 

After making dreamy magic with Parekh & Singh (and those iconic pastel suits), Nischay Parekh just released a single under new moniker, 'TV Dinner'. 'Non Believers' is a song about holding onto the messy, hopeful idea of true love even when life makes you cynical. He started writing it back in 2016 after a heartbreak, and only finished it after marrying his best friend and becoming a parent in 2023. The track keeps that tender, personal tone we love from Parekh & Singh, but adds a more conventional stripped-down indie rock touch.

Maan Jao - Utsavi Jha

Utsavi Jha's 'Maan Jao' is a playful celebration of new love, vulnerability, and desire, wrapped in crisp beats and a catchy hook that’s. It’s about making the first move and the sweet tension that comes with it. Complementing the song is a retro-inspired music video that brings back the timeless glamour of 60s and 70s Bollywood cinema, with swoon-worthy dances and the magic of old-school romance.

Assa Te - Karun, mohit, Baajewala, Ananya Bhatt

This track captures the quiet complexities of love, beautifully portraying those small, everyday moments that can spark tension in a relationship. Featuring Karun’s heartfelt vocals and the singing debut of Ananya Bhatt, the track intertwines Hindi, Punjabi, and Bengali. With spoken-word segments by Mohit, the song delves into the struggles and commitments of lovers facing life's little conflicts. 'Assa Te' is a reflective, mid-tempo piece that invites listeners to connect with the intimate nuances of modern love.

Khali Wali - Shreea Kaul

Shreea Kaul’s 'Khali Wali' is a moody, multilingual breakup song that blends Hindi, English, and Arabic. With hints of Flamenco and Arabic music layered into her signature desi-pop sound, the track is a fusion of global and homegrown sounds. Her smooth vocals glide over a dark, pulsing beat, while a smoky saxophone drifts in and out. 'Khali Wali' which means 'let it be' represents reclaiming space and sound on her own terms. It’s also a glimpse into her upcoming album, 'Cruel Intentions'.

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