Music Briefs: Bombhaat, IIT Krishnamurthy & Mismatched

A quick take on new music from Josh B, Naresh Kumaran, and the fun, groovy potpourri that's Mismatched...

Bombhaat - Swami Natha takes a leaf out of the popular kriti inspired by its title (Swaminatha Paripalaya), making for an interesting contemporary exploration of the nata raga that paves the way for an extended outro replete with classical strains. Josh B (aka Josyabhatla) ropes in a fantastic-sounding Sunitha Sarathy for Ishq Kiya, a soaring melody that simultaneously manages effervescence and heft. Nuvvante Ishtamante is another easily likeable highlight, with Abhay Jodhpurkar and Padmalatha joining hands together for a classical-infused piece that's backed by a lovely assortment of guitars and kazoo (Nakul Abhyankar).

IIT Krishnamurthy - A passable effort from Naresh Kumaran that never diverges from the middle of the road, but in Megham Tho Megham he has a winner, churning out a lilting track that blends gentle acoustic flourishes and Yazin Nizar's spotless vocals for a musical amalgamation that's at once blissful and breezy.

Mismatched - Anurag Saikia's Aise Kyun is en exercise in dreamy lysergia, its gossamer-like tune featuring a delicate and beautiful balance of warm acoustic guitar riffs and melodies. Kahaan Ho Tum, composed by Prateek Kuhad, hits the sweet spot with its genial indie-pop stylings, while in Jaana, Jasleen Royal brings to the table a synth-laced banger that's backed by a quietly pulsating arrangement and Soundarya Jayachandran's upbeat rendition. Taaruk Raina-composed Main Chala rides on a punchy rap soundbed with a blast of dense riffage to accompany it, as is Dee MC's Dil Ke Baat, practically bursting into an pyrotechnic display of fast rap solos and thumping beats. Samar Grewal's Milne Ke Bahaana unfolds over a hazy canvas comprising of interlocking ripples of percussions and groovy strums, even as singer Shashwat Singh ropes in Nikhita Gandhi for a downtempo piece Tabdeeli that's propelled along by a contagious programmed beat and bright synthetic blasts. Erupting into a climax of glittering euphoria, Encore ABJ aka Abhijay Negi's Sun Toh layers heavily treated vocals from Ritviz Srivastava over a contagiously arresting mix of dhols and transcendent, dance floor-focussed electronics. Mismatched is a wicked mash-up of sonic genres and an immensely listenable multi-composer album that retains the oneness of the sound.