Homegrown Handpicked: A Playlist Of Our Favourite Tracks From July 2024

Welcome to Homegrown Handpicked, a curation of our favourite releases from every month. We’re bringing you the freshest music from across the country by artists that represent the essence and spirit of the zeitgeist. In our third edition, we delve into genres ranging from drum & bass to art-rock; folk fusion to R&B; noise to funk; IDM to hip-hop and beyond.

Our playlist is a window to the heart and soul of the nation, showcasing artists who are elevating homegrown artistry and taking their music into uncharted territory.

You can follow the Homegrown Handpicked playlist here.

Rumii's latest track is a captivating fusion of traditional Indian folk and contemporary electronic music. In collaboration with the lyricist and vocalist Chayan, the track delves into poignant themes of longing and separation. The song's narrative is personal; expressing the pain of being apart from a loved one. Chayan's heartfelt Hindi lyrics paint a vivid picture of emotional turmoil, while Rumii's production masterfully complements the tone of the track by blending the emotional depth of pop with the energetic drive of drum & bass.

Daira's latest album brings you some indigenous folk music straight from Bastar, Chhattisgarh. They travelled to Bastar and met with local musicians for a collaboration, resulting in a unique blend of traditional folk melodies and the art rock that they are known for. By selecting and reinterpreting five folk songs in indigenous languages like Gondi, Halbi, and Bhatri, Daira not only aims to preserve these musical treasures but also endeavours to introduce them to a wider audience. The single, Kahan Kahan, particularly brings the sounds of Chhattisgarh to the foreground in a scintillating folk fusion.

Revant's new haunting experimental electronic EP was born from the ashes of personal turmoil. After losing his home earlier this year, the Mumbai-based producer channelled his experiences into a raw and introspective soundscape. Moss, delves deep into themes of displacement and identity; of not belonging anywhere. With its heavy atmospheric textures and unconventional rhythms, the EP explores a new sound that draws on a variety of influences including shoegaze, noise, techno, hip-hop and ambient music.

Zaeden's latest single is a song about budding romance. The track, featuring PDNY and Raaginder, is a fusion of Punjabi and English that perfectly captures the exhilarating transition of a friendship that turns into love. With its catchy melody and earnest lyrics, 5 Saal delves into the excitement and uncertainty of a potential relationship. This is also the second single from his upcoming album, Zaeden 02.

Electronica duo Tech Panda and Kenzani's new single is an exciting prelude to their upcoming debut album, Tijori. The track, a collaborative effort with rising stars Aaromal and Blu Attic, is an endeavour by the artists to push rising, next-generation talent forward. With Sada, Tech Panda and Kenzani offer a tantalizing glimpse into their sonic world, where melancholic melodies and electronic undertones intertwine to create a truly unique listening experience. 

Karan Barnabas, a guitarist and producer from Pune, India, just released his new single, Blueshift Horizon. Inspired by modern progressive rock giants like Plini, I Built The Sky, and Arch Echo, Barnabas ditches the genre's typical aggressive style for a more hopeful and optimistic soundscape. The instrumental takes the listener on a progressive journey, blurring the lines between technical complexity and melodic accessibility. It serves as a sneak peek at Barnabas' musical vision, which blends modern rock influences with his classic rock roots. 

Aksomaniac and Adil's new pop song Nazar featuring Mayank is a groundbreaking fusion of Malayalam R&B and desi hip-hop. This audacious blend results in a captivating love song that transcends language barriers. Aksomaniac's introspective Malayalam verse, filled with longing and poetic imagery, is the perfect counterpoint to Adil's confident and rhythmic hip-hop delivery. The integration of these diverse elements creates a unique sound that is both familiar and refreshingly innovative.

Tarang Joseph's Liquid Sunshine is a nostalgic ode to the carefree days of his childhood, infused with the contemporary energy of house music. The title track of his upcoming EP, it blends the infectious rhythms of 80s disco with the modern sensibilities of funk, house, and jazz. Born out of a personal journey of burnout and rediscovery, the song encapsulates the artist's transition from a jaded state to a renewed sense of wonder and gratitude. By combining live and electronic drums, Joseph creates a dynamic soundscape that bridges the gap between old and new. With the single, Joseph aims to evoke a childlike sense of wonder, encouraging listeners to find beauty in the present moment and embrace the simple pleasures of life.

Bangalore-based producer Father, Son & Alcohol, known for his glitch-hop and funky sound has dropped his latest EP, Paranoid. The album is a masterclass in intricate microhouse, where the artist weaves together otherworldly textures and rhythms into a surprisingly upbeat production. Drawing inspiration from IDM, the EP defies expectations by blending complex soundscapes with buoyant energy. 

Our playlist would be incomplete without the biggest track to come out of India this year. Hanumankind's Big Dawgs, produced by Kalmi already has a whopping 5.8 million views on YouTube. Not only is the track a certified banger, it’s also going through the same cycle as Not Like Us, with reaction channels and its audio on viral reels across Instagram. The music video of the track, directed by the artist's frequent collaborator Bijoy Shetty, is getting attention for all the right reasons. Shot in a Wall Of Death, the video has put India on the map and has set a new bar for creativity that invokes our own heritage and culture across the homegrown hip-hop landscape. If you haven't come across this track yet, for whatever reason, you're definitely going to be hearing it everywhere for the foreseeable future. 

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