Lately, I've been reminiscing my college days. The blissful ignorance; free from the anxieties about the future mixed with heartbreak from whoever I was dating back then. This was also the time I was listening to a lot of Coldplay. Now, their songs haven't graced my Spotify in months, maybe even a year, but the ticketing fiasco did end up giving me a momentary FOMO.
The entire framework of social media relies on the same feeling of losing out on whatever the new online obsession online is. But what you aren't obliged to do, is to buy into that. Your relationship with music and the artists you love is greater than the concert bands you collect. So tough luck if you can't see them live but it's not the end of the world.
Here at home, artists are constantly making music that represent the spirit of our Zeitgeist and you can listen to them for a fraction of the cost. Homegrown Handpicked is our monthly playlist where we bring you the freshest music from across the country. They may not be Coldplay but they will still make your world light up. Here's what we have for you from September:
Singapore-based rapper Yung Raja is known for his bilingual music that tastefully merges Western and Southeast Asian influences. In his latest release called High Fashion, the artist blends classical Indian string elements with heavy 808s and trap beats showcasing his signature flow in Tamil & English. A convergence of Eastern & Western cultures, the track is a high-energy and aspirational celebration of the rapper's unique fashion sense and lifestyle, that resonates with both music and fashion lovers.
Prabh Deep's latest release, the DSP Mixtape represents the profound journey of self-reinvention, akin to cleaning out a closet. Reinventing tracks from his discography, the mixtape features collaborations with Faris Shafi, Dhanji, Sickflip, GD47 among others. Wajood emerged from a jam session with Prabh’s producer, Scuti after he got his hands on some new gear. Experimenting on machines and sounds alongside Scuti is something Prabh Deep is quite fond of. The track explores themes of personal preference and self-discovery, extending the narrative from 'Tabia'. It reflects a pivotal phase of Prabh’s life, one that he believes has significantly shaped his current identity.
Fresh off her latest EP Witches Brew with Future Bounce, artist and activist Kiss Nuka delivers a hard-hitting single, WOMEN OF RESISTANCE - CONGO, hoping to raise awareness of the ongoing struggle in the region. This release will mark the beginning of the Women Of Resistance series through which Kiss Nuka will use her platform and her art to amplify the stories of women's struggles and their resistance, as she continues to educate herself. All money raised from the series will be donated to organizations that are working within the affected regions. For this track, the proceeds will be going to Focus Congo.
From the Bangalore-based producer/DJ known for his fusion of halftime, glitch hop and downtempo comes Singularities, a four-track drum and bass EP that brings together lush atmospheres and invigorating rhythms. Featuring deep, rolling basslines layered with light, airy melodies, the EP creates sounds that are both soothing and energising. Dew Drops captures the essence of liquid drum & bass with its fluid, melodic tones while also delivering punchy, danceable beats that maintain its energetic appeal throughout.
Homegrown artist Gini's poise has managed to cut through the noise and clutter of social media and endear her to large community of young fans. Her new single is further proof of her ability to string words together in a way that belies her age. The 18-year-old singer, who is also a poet, lays bare her doubt-riddled self in Aasaan, a song about the leaving, and longing for, home. “The fact that I wrote about it in January, before the ‘explosion’ my work as an artist received in March, made it even more special, because it felt like I was living out the story I’m singing in the song,” she shares.
2 Gaz Zameen masterfully embodies the essence of finding contentment in simplicity. Gunda delves into the profound notion that true happiness lies in valuing even the smallest blessings; from a modest piece of land to just a sliver of the sky. An artist with multiple phases and faces, Tanmay Saxena has created a body of work that has largely stood out from the trends of the industry. Now donning the mask of ‘Gunda’, he births a new aural experience that flows between sardonic and careless abandon, resulting in an unusual mix of songwriting that takes inspiration from both qawali and house music.
“The song is really about breaking free from the expectations and constraints that hold us back. It’s a reflection of the desire to start over, to live life on your own terms, even if it’s just a dream”, shares Aksomaniac. Recorded primarily in his hostel dorm room, Running comes from a recurring dream the artist had: fleeing home with his 44kg digital piano on his back. The title of the track is a literal nod to this fantasy of escaping life's burdens and finding freedom through music.
Bangalore-based Floating Folks' sound is a mix of soul, pop, folk, ambient, reggae, house, EDM, and world music, bringing together a melange of diverse instruments. Their performances are known for their instrument-swapping musicians and genre-switching set-lists. The collective's debut single, Puzha, meaning river in Malayalam, was born on a full moon night and was written together with the ruffling of leaves and the lull of waves somewhere far away. The track flows like a river, beginning with soft, individual melodies that gradually merge into a celebratory soundscape.
Awakening is a new age, ethereal folk album that invites you to embark on a spiritual journey. The artist, Bhrigu Sahni, weaves his life experiences, intricate guitar playing, and soulful vocal harmonies, bringing this album to life with collaborators Annette Philip and Priya Darshini. It is a collection of songs about a spiritual awakening: a state of illumination in which the artist longs to be. While writing in his Brooklyn apartment, Bhrigu came created the piece of guitar from the album's title track in a eureka moment. The vocals in the track urge the listener to acknowledge the divine beauty that we are always surrounded by.
Alif's new track wants us to remember the magic that we were born with, that filled our childhoods with wonder. This enchanting song brings to life the heartfelt journey of a young boy, whose boundless imagination is nurtured by his grandmother, while the world, and particularly his mother, urges him toward more conventional paths. The track also marks the on-screen return of the iconic Farida Jalal, who plays the boy's grandmother—a role reminiscent of her unforgettable presence in Shaka Laka Boom Boom, a series that similarly captured the magic of a child’s imagination.
Making a new chapter for the Indian producer Jai Pai, PANELIA releases the first single from his debut album, Nothing And All At Once. Spanning 10 tracks, the album weaves a rich tapestry of electronica, breaks, and jungle, with textured soundscapes, leftfield rhythms, and cinematic flourishes. Seamlessly transitioning from driving beats to ambient moments, it reflects Jay Pei’s deep, evolving connection to his craft. “I realised that while I had come a long way and achieved a lot, I had lost a part of myself along the way. The instinct to survive and fit in had overshadowed my true self," shares Jai. This realisation sparked the creation of PANELIA, a project focused on authenticity and creative self-expression.
Swati Bhatt is a Delhi-based singer/songwriter. Her music combines elements of jazz, a cappella singing, contemporary pop and folk while drawing from personal experiences around breaking social and mental barriers. Her new single, Night Queen, is about a powerful mythical figure who guides and comforts lost souls through metaphorical darkness, symbolizing resilience and self discovery.
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