Homegrown Handpicked: A Playlist Of Our Favourite Tracks From February 2025

Last weekend, we threw down at the Homegrown Festival, and what a ride it was! Beyond the stimulating art installations, panel discussions, fashion pop-ups, mouthwatering food stalls, a skateboard ramp, and even a drift track, the festival truly came alive on our music stages. Some of the coolest artists from India and beyond lit up the night, making it an unforgettable weekend. Peter Cat Recording Co. graced the stage for the first time in ages, and we witnessed electrifying collaborations that pushed creative boundaries further than ever before.

Missed out on the festival? Don’t sweat it. You may not have caught these sets live, but we'll keep bringing the music to you. Our monthly playlist is back, bringing you the freshest homegrown sounds from across the country. Whether you're into hip-hop, indie, electronica, or something in between, this playlist is your gateway to what’s next.

'Asian State of Mind' is an electrifying cross-border collaboration that unites rap powerhouses from across the continent — India’s KR$NA, Japan’s Awich, Korea’s Jay Park, Indonesia’s Masiwei, and Cambodia’s VannDa — in a hard-hitting anthem of ambition, resilience, and cultural pride. Over a thunderous beat, the five artists trade razor-sharp verses, reflecting on their come-up, the grind behind their success, and the weight of representing their roots on a global stage.

Opening OAFF's latest album, 'Between Flowers', with a burst of charm, 'BAALMAA' is a playful fusion of Hindustani classical and modern electronica, crafted by OAFF and Divyam Sodhi. Rooted in the traditional bandish 'Lat Ulajhi' in Raga Bihag, the track reimagines a bride’s sweet request for her lover to untangle her hair. The album itself is a deeply introspective journey that's filled with Indian classical and folk influences. It touches upon the themes of identity and the Indian diasporic experience with refreshing sonic depth.

Midnight Agenda's new album, 'Pishaach' is an unapologetic descent into chaos. With post-punk, goth, punk, and shoegaze inclinations, the album shifts from eerie playfulness to a feverish, red-lit intensity, echoing the madness of the streets before settling into an untamed stillness. It is also one of the first-ever albums to bring shoegaze and post-punk to Hindi music. Closing out this wild ride is 'Bukhaar', a slower, more intimate, yet grungy track that simmers in its own haze; burning a brand of its own making on our hearts and minds as it fades out.

Firaaq and Skopòs' new track merges the soul-stirring vocals of classic qawwali with the pulsing rhythm of Afro-house. The meditative and electric track, dropped via Firaaq’s Chakravyuh Records, reimagines the timeless energy of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s spiritual sound, layering it with deep, rolling beats that belong nowhere else but on a packed dance floor. Firaaq’s signature atmospheric production meets Skopòs’ genre-fluid approach, make, 'Mohabbat', a bold fusion of old and new.

Stepping away from his usual folk-rock roots, Jaimin Rajani has released his first synth-pop single, 'Techno Girl'. The track captures the tension between two people whose lifestyles no longer sync. One thrives in neon-lit nights of the dance floor while the other watches from the sidelines, feeling like they don’t belong. Teaming up with electronic-pop maestro National Animal, this somewhat unexpected collaboration is a sonic push-and-pull, just like the relationship it explores.

The first single from his upcoming 'Flectere' EP, 'Only You' blurs the lines between indie dance and melodic house. Inspired by his childhood love for jazz and rock, the track is a fusion of funky basslines, punchy drums, a hypnotic piano arp, and warm synths, all tied together by his own vocoded vocals — a first for the producer.

'Draining Out' is for anyone who’s ever been trapped in their own thoughts, overanalyzing everything until it all feels like too much. Created by Mary Ann in collaboration with Bengaluru-based producer-songwriter Soorya, the track started as a simple idea over a YouTube beat before evolving into something far more layered. Despite its weighty theme of chasing perfection and never feeling satisfied, Soorya’s production keeps things breezy, offering a strangely comforting space to sit with that frustration and, maybe, to finally let it go.

ALO WALA and PAV4N, two South Asian powerhouses, join forces for the first time, bringing their signature styles to a beat that’s as massive as it is playful. Produced by Italian duo Satori Stereo Saiyan (Ckrono & Clap! Clap!), the track kicks off with a hypnotic G-Funk flute before exploding into a percussive warehouse anthem. ALO WALA’s raw, childlike vocals capture the simplicity of lust and romance alongside PAV4N's signature gritty bars. It’s a track born from friendship, nostalgia, and the joy of making music in the moment.

'ghost' is a slow-burning, electropop haze that pulls you into its world of lingering emotions and restless thoughts. Sudan and Frizzell’s vocals rise through shimmering synths, moody saxophone layers, and an airy yet immersive soundscape that's both intimate and expansive. The production is stripped down but deliberate. The warped vocal textures and a surprise bridge bring a weightlessness to it; like floating in a half-dream.

On 'Fucker With the Flow', tricksingh raps with the confidence of someone who’s fought for every inch of ground he stands on, flipping between luxury and grit; between Punjabi roots and global hip-hop charisma. The production is relentless, built for packed crowds and late-night drives. And just like his music, the visuals cut deep, with his 75-year-old father standing proudly beside him; a symbol of resilience and legacy.

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