I just found out that Dexter is in a band. Michael C. Hall, the actor who played that iconic serial killer, is part of an avant-garde music project called Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum. The alternative/indie band with drummer Peter Yanowitz and keyboardist Matt Katz-Bohen, has gripped me since last week. And the deeper I dove into their discography, the more I noticed parallels between the themes in their songs and the character of Dexter, as if they were musings that came from his twisted inner world. It’s been fascinating to see how stories can bleed into one another, even when they are fictional.

Eugene Healy, a brand strategy consultant and educator, recently shared an acute observation about 'post-authenticity' feels relevant here. He points out how brands have moved far beyond just trying to appear authentic and relatable. Instead, we’re seeing a shift toward fiction as the new storytelling tool. Brands today aren’t just talking about themselves; they’re building entire worlds to draw us in, offering us a kind of escapism; spectacle mythologising what they stand for. Music, in many ways, has always done this, it goes beyond our everyday identities to explore what lies beneath; what shapes our inner lives.

So if you want to understand what’s really happening in a culture, listen to the music coming out of it. Our monthly playlist, featuring artists from across the country, is a way to get your finger on the pulse of India’s music scene and, in the process, its collective consciousness. Here's what we have for you this month:

Rafiki & Squidworks call their EP, 'GOOD LUCK', an ode to Bandra. "It's undeniable how much this suburb has shaped the course of culture and the electronic-music scene in our city," they share. From Zenzi on Waterfield Road (where it all kicked off for them) to wild after-parties at Danda, and those early morning post-rager breakfasts at Good Luck (yes, that’s where the EP gets its name), this project is like taking an auto ride through memories. Sonically, it’s a blend of their deep-rooted friendship and years of late-night sessions, pulling from broken beat, jungle, breaks, house, and techno.

Spryk and BamBoy’s new track is a searing reminder of our shared humanity in the face of rising apathy and division. Anchored in Marathi poetry, the track speaks to the urgent need to resist systemic indifference and reclaim emotional and political awareness. It challenges listeners to confront the desensitization of modern life, where compassion is often lost to noise, and to instead choose connection, resistance, and care.

Aksomaniac's 'Kanmashi' is a poetic dive into queer self-discovery. The track, featuring Fatboi Raccoon and Archa Quasar, uses the metaphor of 'kanmashi' (traditional black kohl) to explore how we present ourselves to the world and the rituals we adopt to navigate identity. It's about the tension between inner feelings and outward expressions, the doubts and acceptances that come with understanding oneself. Despite its deep themes, the song maintains a lightness, described by Aksomaniac as a "bedroom jam", celebrating sexuality while reflecting on the journey towards self-acceptance.

Natania’s new single is a cheerful, catchy celebration of the “delightful madness” that comes with falling headfirst into a new crush. Pulled from DESI TRILL’s Brown Is Everywhere Vol. 2, the track blends an infectious melody with Natania’s dreamy vocals and playful storytelling, making it a go-to for anyone who’s ever fantasized about a future with someone they’ve just met. “It’s about that initial meeting,” she says, “where you're already envisioning a future with someone, even without knowing them.” The music video, shot in LA, brings the vibe to life with striking Indo-Western looks and Aadil Abedi’s signature Arabic calligraphy.

Indian power performer and studio wizard DNKLE returns with 'Obscurite', a melodic techno masterstroke that marks another milestone in his rapid rise. The track was released through his own record label GITA. Expertly synthesized and intricately crafted, the track explores the delicate balance between darkness and light, delivering a festival-ready production that’s both atmospheric and emotionally rich. With cinematic tones evoking a post-apocalyptic world where tension meets beauty, Obscurite is nothing short of mainstage material.

This single by QARAN featuring Vilen brings together Hindi emo with UK drill. The song is raw and personal with menacing production by QARAN and Vilen’s emotionally heavy vocals that address battling your inner demons and confronting the shadowy parts of yourself. Written in Mumbai and recorded during a late-night session in Paschim Vihar, the track carries the essence of a sleepless night — the kind that forces you to face everything you’ve been avoiding.

Hamza Rahimtula joins forces with the Rajasthan Folkstars for 'Origins', a 10-track album blending the hypnotic pulse of house music with Rajasthani folk. On 'Algoza', a Nelson Mandela vocal sample reinforces the theme of deep listening as the twin flute takes center stage. The track speaks to the album’s dialogue between raw folk expression and club-ready grooves, reaffirming the timeless power of music to connect cultures.

Jai Dhir is back with a flirty, feel-good Punjabi track that’s all heart with a slick delivery. Teaming up once again with producer NEVERSOBER, Jai brings his signature ‘lover boy’ energy to a song about falling so hard for someone, even the angels would take a step back. With poetic lyrics, a slick production, and that unmistakable melodic charm he’s known for, ‘Sidekick’ is a playful, addictive track perfect for those late-night listening sessions.

Qawwali and modern pop come together in a new single called Beqaaboo. Produced by Rumii, known for his minimal yet intricate soundscapes, and sung by Krameri with her hypnotic, soul-stirring vocals, the song fuses subtle electronic textures with a qawwali-inspired backbeat. “I wanted Beqaaboo to feel like a conversation between tradition and innovation,” Rumii tells us. With its warm, meditative pulse and an emotional pull that “opens the heart to a sense of universal connectedness”, the track emanates an understated beauty.

Delhi-based singer-songwriter and multidisciplinary artist Mehr returns with 'New City, Same Place', a reflective track that captures the contradiction of new beginnings. While the setting might change; new city, new people, the emotional weight we carry often stays the same. Written, produced, and mixed by Mehr herself, the song is intimate and immersive, layering lush soundscapes with honest storytelling. It’s a continuation of her genre-fluid approach, blending alternative, pop, and rock influences into a fresh sound.

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