Summer is finally summering. And honestly, I’ve been in a bit of a music rut. It can be hard to get out of the bubble of your own algorithm and discover cool new artists to add to the rotation. So this week, we’re doing something a little different. Today, we’re dropping a list of Desi-Indie artists making music in “English” that we think you should check out. These artists are exactly the fresh sounds that your playlist might be missing, and they all bring something unique to the table. Show them some love, and hope you find something to vibe out to. We’ll occasionally send out watchlists like these, so keep an eye out in your inbox. 

— Jeevan

1. NIMBU

There is something particularly infectious about Indian Disco – especially when it’s thoughfully layered with electronic beats. If you’re into this type of music, then you’ll definitely like NIMBU. New York City based artist NIMBU mixes that infectious energy in her modern, electronic style to create an originally authentic genre meant for the World. In her song “Eleventh Hour,” NIMBU seamlessly blends R&B, electronic dance music, and classic old Bollywood soundtracks. NIMBU’s sound is truly global. Her music has the perfect mix of both worlds to crossover. 

2. RAHUL

Meet Rahul (@rahuled), a R&B, hip-hop artist with a fresh sound and unique visuals that are bound to make waves in the indie landscape. Dropping consistent tracks since 2021, Rahul’s biggest strength are his immersive and magical music videos which build lush worlds around each song. 

Rahul’s versatile too, with a broad range as he jumps from high-pitched vocals to headier, more insistent raps. His biggest song to date, Anecdote, which racked up over a million views on YouTube, showcases his talents on full display. He’s currently signed to D36, a label that has recently entered in a joint venture with Sony Music to platform artists in the South Asian diaspora. Existential, cool, and clever, Rahul is definitely one to watch.

3. ARUSHI JAIN

Brimming with synths and Indian classical melodies, Arushi Jain’s (@modularprincess) 2024 album Delight crescendos listeners into an alternate realm where music knows no bounds. She blends wavy electronic modulation with traditional Desi ragas. To a new listener, the idea of Hindustani-classical informed experimental music is difficult to imagine, but Arushi Jain bridges that gap. Having attended the Ravi Shankar Institute in Delhi as a teenager, Jain is familiar with the intricacies and complexities of the over 6,000-year-old traditions of Indian classical. Can something digitally altered fit into something as natural as classical music? For Jain, the answer is yes.  Breaking the rules, traditional barriers, and the perception people may have of what Desi music is, Arushi Jain is a trailblazer in every way.

4. DHRUVY

Experimental and free-spirited, 19-year-old writer, producer, and singer Dhruvy is making his mark. A music major at Philadelphia’s Drexel College of Media Arts and Design, Dhruvy brings a spontaneous blend of R&B and bedroom pop. His visual style is grounded and fun, exemplified in his latest track right back to myself which sifts through the emotions of early relationships and young adulthood. Brimming with layered melodies and experimental production, Dhruvy’s discography is perfect to check out for a summer day.

5. AARYAN SHAH

If you are looking for an artist emulating the vulnerability of Post Malone and The Weeknd’s melodies and the opaque cinematic universe of movies like Blade Runner, Los Angeles-based artist Aaryan Shah is the one for you. Since he dropped out of school at 15 years old, his only focus has been music. Aaryan’s songs sound expansive with his rich vocals and orchesteralproduction sounding like soundtracks to a futuristic movie.

His fourth album Love Letter to LA, released in 2023, is a reflection of the dusky space of his origins. Aaryan sings about feeling a false sense of reality under the backdrop of repetitive, static guitars. Just like how our most destructive habits tempt addiction, Aaryan’s music pulls listeners into his foreboding soundscape. His most popular track Intoxicated has over 5 million listens on Spotify and embraces the discordant parts found inside us all. Feigning positivity is exhausting and Aaryan’s brutal honesty is a call for more artists willing to embrace all of their emotions, not just the positive ones.

Other News 📰

• Karan Aujla made his Bollywood debut with Tauba Tauba for the film Bad Newz starring Vicky Kaushal, Tripti Dimri and Ammy Virk

• Public figures from around the world attended the Ambani wedding, including Kim and Khloe Kardashian, John Cena, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair

• Sukha is releasing a new album titled 2003 coming soon

• Rapper NseeB dropped a Punjabi freestyle with On the Radar 

• 11-year-old guitarist Maya Neelakantan delivered an electric audition for America’s Got Talent

• Movie review app Letterboxd released a 2024 spotlight on Indian cinema written by Siddharth Adlakha

• Netflix’s new show following the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders features Indian dancer Anisha Kula

Written By Saumya Monga, Jeevan Sangha

Edited By Jeevan Sangha