Top Non-Film Songs of 2025

क्रम
Rank

गीत
Song

संगीतकार, गीतकार, गायक
Music Director, Lyricist, Singer(s)

अंक
Score

ज्यूरी की राय
Jury's say (Expand or Collapse all)

शृंगार (भूमि 2025)

shRRi.ngaar (Bhoomi 2025)

Tags: classical, classical fusion, classical pop, classical-fusion, contemporary, fusion, groovy, indian classical fusion, r&b, semi-classical, techno, tribute

सलीम-सुलेमान
Salim-Sulaiman

श्रद्धा पंडित
Shraddha Pandit

शंकर महादेवन
Shankar Mahadevan

3.10

Toggle Jury's comments

The way Salim - Sulaiman have presented this bandish is nice but their arrangements/sound is getting a bit repetitive now. -Anish

Classical based, soulful track celebrating deep emotion with traditional Indian musical roots. Blending of Shankar's distinctive style with Zakir Sahab's narration voice makes it one of my favorite tracks of this album. -Ajay

Excellent Shankar vocal; inventive, catchy R&B-meets-classical arrangement with jazzy touches. -Uday

Brilliant composition and legendry singing. -Vidyu

The commentary in the middle is a bit distracting. -Pavan

Doesn't work as much as some of the other songs from the album, Shankar's singing notwithstanding. -Nagarajan

The English lyrics and spoken-word ruin a perfectly good song. Shankar Mahadevan is as sublime as ever. -Runcil

A fantastic tribute to Zakir Hussain with Shankar Mahadevan's brilliant vocals. The music arrangement is grand. -Vaishali

Shankar Madhavan's no-holes barred singing makes me smile. Rolled my eyes hard at the philosophizing bits. -Shalini

Tribute to Zakir Hussain; hints of Hameer, Kedar, Nand; somewhat standard bandish-style lyrics and melange of interesting, energetic, well-executed vocal and instrumental pieces (Ojas Adhiya is a known magician). Guessing this will be a sentimental choice for many listeners. -Sanjeev

Shankar's voice, like Hariharan's, adapts so well to modern instrumentation and percussion even while singing pure classical. Loved this one after hearing all the no-go ones. -Shivani

बैरी छलिया (रागरानीज़)

bairii chhaliyaa (Raagraanis)

Tags: classical fusion, classically-based, folk, folk-classical, fusion classical, modern, pop, raag based, semi classical, semi-classical, techno

प्राजक्ता शुक्रे
Prajakta Shukre

माधवन भारद्वाज
Madhavan Bhardwaj

प्राजक्ता शुक्रे
Prajakta Shukre

3.02

Toggle Jury's comments

Nineties Indipop with a luxurious sheen, excellent vocal. -Uday

There is ease and tayyari in Prajakta Shukre's singing, not overdoing it. -Vaishali

A stunning composition featuring exquisite vocals, radiating a joyful and uplifting emotional vibe. Brilliant! -Vidyu

Explicit Des/Sarang base, nice vocals, but feel like the overall package is a little too "predictable" to be sustainingly engaging. -Sanjeev

Wouldn't be able to tell Prajakta from Shreya if I ran into them in a dark alley. -Shalini

The techno backgrounds complement this raga-based meody well. -Anish

Gives a sense of nostagia. -Deepa

Prajakta has good tonal quality also decent singing skills, but lyrics and music parts are weak, and leaves little impression. -Pavan

Traditional bandish style melody based on ragas) infused with modern production. Prajakta pours her heart into the song. Gave 'Bandit Bandish' vibes. -Ajay

Fantastic singing! -Nagarajan

Still remember Prajakta Shukre's foray in the first Indian Idol. Classically trained, the versatile and lively singer that she was - she's done a fabulous job here. To see her composing a full raag based album by collaborating with another reality show find Himani Kapoor, who has written the lyrics and written well (very bandish like, apt for the composition), it feels good to see women taking the charge for the general lack of good work around. -Shivani

सुकून (भूमि 2025)

sukoon (Bhoomi 2025)

Tags: contemplative, introspective, peaceful, philosophical, philosophy, romantic, searching, self-determination, serene, soulful, thoughtful, tranquil

सलीम-सुलेमान
Salim-Sulaiman

श्रद्धा पंडित
Shraddha Pandit

अरिजित सिंह
Arijit Singh

2.83

Toggle Jury's comments

A captivating composition highlighted by exquisite vocals, creating an introspective, serene, and emotionally resonant atmosphere! Brilliant! -Vidyu

Vocal showcase for an excellent Arijit, the rest is passable. -Uday

Arijit has this rare ability of being able to sing with complete detachment and yet lend an inherent melancholy to his singing. Couple this with a couple of good lines like Wo sukoon shayad mujhse hi hai, mujh mein hi tha mujh mein hi hai and you keep waiting for that moment to come up. Love the melody of those lines, found the use of taans to create a fusion unnecessary however. -Shivani

Good use of Arijit's range. -Vaishali

Charukeshi dominant, but also flavors of Bihag, other stuff. Well-sung by Arijit, good sargam/alaap passage to bridge to antara. Tune is complex, toes but doesn't quite cross the line for gratuitous. Lots of ambiguous "k" vs. "Q" in the beginning. .. -Sanjeev

Arijit pours his soul and his enunciation of the lyrics makes this song one of my favorites in this album. His voice glides over the melody and the harmony towards the end is befitting for the mood created by the song. -Ajay

Warm. . Arijit drives it home smoothy. Restrained emotions. -Pavan

A Salim Sulaiman song that almost manages to sound like a Vishal Bhardwaj song! It’s almost like a best of both worlds, and with Arijit Singh leading the vocals! Only someone like Arijit can use his voice to make it shimmers like an inner sigh, aided by the melody’s quiet, expansive, emotionally vivid note. -Karthik

Arijit Singh's rendition takes this immersive composition by Salim-Sulaiman to greater heights. -Anish

अधूरा

adhooraa

Tags: ambient, bubbly but pensive, contemporary, discovery, emotional ballad, global fusion, loss, pop, romantic, warm

प्रसाद एस
Prasad S

बिमल ओबेरॉय
Bimal Oberoi

शिल्पा राव
Shilpa Rao

2.69

Toggle Jury's comments

Shilpa makes it work! -Pavan

Some lovely strings and great singing by Shilpa Rao (clearly her year!). -Nagarajan

Biased as usual to Shilpa's voice and singing. Composer Prasad S has made a pleasing track, but the dugun line doesn't really work well. A special mention for Bimal Oberoi's lyrics. . Loved the thought behind the ever fleetingness of time and most of us having never even lived a moment fully. -Shivani

Warm vocal from Shilpa Rao over a slightly overcooked arrangement. -Uday

Shilpa's emotive voice and the melancholy, soul-stirring melody conveys the lyrics of a lingering love story. The song creates a sentimental, poignant atmosphere. -Ajay

It's always a pleasure to listen to Shilpa Rao. -Shalini

Nice "hook" with octaved vocals, heading up to "Adhoo~~~ra". Nice rhythmic play in the composition. Interesting, somewhat "counterintuitive" approach for the antara to go DOWN from where the mukhda was. .. .Thoughtful use of Shilpa Rao's vocal registers. -Sanjeev

A melody that made me sit up, even beyond Shilpa’s voice that I already adore. Prasad’s tune is breezy and light, and has a superb stretch that lands the ‘Adhoora’ hook beautifully in a totally unexpected way! -Karthik

Prasad Sashte creates an offbeat tune that engages. Shilpa Rao's vocals are the highlight. -Anish

Pleasing music and lovely voice! -Vidyu

दर्द दिल के

dard dil ke

Tags: classically-based, gazal, ghazal, melodic, pain, romantic, sad, semi-classical, soft acoustic, soothing

साना मोइडुट्टी
Sanah Moidutti

महेंद्र धीरजलाल कामदार
Mahendra Dhirajlal Kamdar

मुहीत भारती, साना मोइडुट्टी
Muheet Bharti, Sanah Moidutti

2.65

Toggle Jury's comments

Muheet has good voice & throw for traditional ghazals, but the Ghazal itself lacks depth and is unimpressive. -Pavan

Sanah Moidutty composes a wonderful tune around the ghazal written by Mahendra Dhirajlal Kamdar. -Anish

Liked the soul stirring sad romantic ghazal in a modern recording. Vocals and music did justice to the lyrics. -Ajay

Glad they still make songs like this. Muheet Bharti’s compositionand voice is simple and evocative with nice use of sarangi and santoor. -Vaishali

Very reminiscent of Rasm-e-ulfat ko nibhayen to nibhayen kaise, both in lyrics and composition, especially its antara tune. A raag based composition not overdone to boredom, Muheet Bharti is effortless and sensible in singing, has refrained from too many harkats and yet shown his caliber while keeping the emotions intact. Has a tonal quality perfect of ghazals and very soothing to ears. -Shivani

I loved this voice, but the music was quite weak. -Manjiri

A heartfelt ghazal filled with deep emotion and poignant feel. -Vidyu

Sarangi, tabla, vocals and harmonium bring in the apt emotion of a melancholic evening. -Deepa

Melange of Patdeep/Madhuvanti/Kirwani; well-sung, nice vistaar in Antara 2 and harkats to close out the song; shift of meter so that the "sam" lands on "Dil" rather than "Ke" feels a little contrived. -Sanjeev

Bears a resemblance to the Lata gem "rasm-e-ulfat ko nibhayen kaise." This is obviously not at that level, but not a bad effort. -Shalini

बावजूद

baavajuud

Tags: ballad, breezy, crooning, gentle, ghazal, introspective, lilting, pensive, pop, reflective, romantic, soft, soft acoustic

शेखर रवजियानी
Shekhar Ravjiani

अमिताभ भट्टाचार्य
Amitabh Bhattacharya

शेखर रवजियानी
Shekhar Ravjiani

2.63

Toggle Jury's comments

Shekhar's voice engages from the get-go. .. Interesting that the groove/tempo is vaguely like Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are" - and they are both in D major! Format is a bit fluid, but the rendition keeps you in. Vague hints of Jhinjhoti and Gawati, nice sitar ending. .. -Sanjeev

Shekhar tries hard to impress, but bad lyrics put him off track. -Pavan

Very nice. -Shalini

Shekhar's vocals show some strain but are largely intact, lovely soothing melody. -Nagarajan

A breathtaking composition featuring brilliant lyrics and vocals, complemented by the enchanting sounds of the sitar to elevate the listening experience. -Vidyu

Lilting tune. Shekhar Ravjiani also gives a good account of himself as a vocalist. -Anish

Melodic and emotional song. Shekhar's singing seems to be inspired by Shreya:). -Ajay

Better than most of the film songs this year, loved the track! Amitabh Bhattacharya's lyrics are better than any of his filmy output this year. Garuda being Shekhar's individual venture, I am guessing he is the composer too. On the vocal side, his tonal quality has started sounding quite different from his earlier work, wonder if it is some programming. His softness and timbre are intact though. But most importantly, the sincerity with which he sings every word, the soulfulness that be brings to his rendition, it makes the song go straight to the heart. -Shivani

Sweet, lilting song. Shekhar's voice is smooth, beautiful lyrics. Sitar interludes are perfectly used. Wanted to hear it over and over again. (Reminded me of his Zahe Naseeb from Hasee Toh Phasee). -Vaishali

अब छलकते हुए साग़र (भूमि 2025)

ab chhalakate hue saaGar (Bhoomi 2025)

Tags: evening, fusion, fusion ghazal, gazal, ghazal, ghazalish, global fusion, jazz ghazal, jazzy, semi-classical, urdu blues, with drinks

पृथ्वी गंधर्व
Prithvi Gandharva, Salim-Sulaiman

(अली अहमद जलीली)
(Ali Ahmad Jalili)

हरिहरन, पृथ्वी गंधर्व
Hariharan, Prithvi Gandharva

2.56

Toggle Jury's comments

Ghazal in fusion mould, not too bad, not too good either. -Shivani

What a surprise of a song. -Runcil

Feels like how this type of song "should" feel. Nothing effortless. -Manjiri

A masterful blend of timeless ghazal poetry infused with jazz vibes, delivered in the soulful voice of today's reigning ghazal maestro! -Vidyu

Jazz-Ghazal blending traditional Urdu poetry with modern jazz arrangements and Indian classical elements. -Ajay

A modern take on the legendary ghazal. Very bold of them to present it in a fusion form. Hariharan's voice does justice to both. -Deepa

The recreation [specially the bondish kickoff] works to some exent but too many harkats and breakers in singing. The idea is right but not the execution. . -Pavan

Thanks to Prithvi Gandharv for composing a lovely ghazal and handing it to the master of ghazals. -Nagarajan

More "Urdu Blues", reboot of "Ye Aaine Se. .." From Kaash? I like Prithvi G. - Doesn't distinguish "saagar" from "saaGar". Great song to practice, lots of cool flavors, but too much squeezed into the song. .." Nahin dekhe jaate~e~e~e~e~" just because you can. -Sanjeev

Agile vocal by Hariharan, pop-jazz arrangement. -Uday

Prithvi Gandharv's tune and Salim Sulaiman's arrangements concoct an interesting 'jazz ghazal' track. -Anish

रंग

ra.ng

Tags: atmospheric, delicate, emotional, folk, fusion, ghazal, indie, lush, minimalist, missing, pensive, remembering, romantic, sensitive, soft acoustic, soulful, touching

अनिरुद्ध वर्मा
Anirudh Verma

जफ़र अली ज़ैदी
Jaffer Ali Zaidi

काविश, द अनिरुद्ध वर्मा कलेक्टिव, रोहित प्रसन्ना
Kaavish, The Anirudh Verma Collective, Rohit Prasanna

2.56

Toggle Jury's comments

The song blends contemporary fusion with heartfelt lyrics, characterized by a slow tempo, and soothing vocals. Soulful, romantic, and deeply emotional ballad evoking a sense of nostalgia, comfort, and profound connection. -Ajay

This is a serene song, beautifully sung with minimalist arrangement. The flute adds depth. -Vaishali

Gentle, heartfelt, and ethereal, guiding you toward a nostalgic and contemplative experience. -Vidyu

Lush composition, could've made more of the percussion that comes in right at the end. -Uday

Pleasant ghazal with appropriate arrangements. -Anish

Khamaj never gets old…pretty song, without unnecessary complications; vocals are delicate without sounding weak. Wouldn't have minded if the song was a little longer…. -Sanjeev

Jaffer Zaidi's voice is the nucleus of this song. It sounds like the beginning of a deep introspection. -Deepa

नींद

nee.nd

Tags: contemplative, fusion, indie, introspection, meditative, pensive, philosophy, pop, romantic, slow build, soothing

अमन मोरोनी
Aman Moroney

शौर्य सक्सेना, मिहिर थट्टे
Shaurya Saxena, Mihir Thatte

शौर्य सक्सेना
Shaurya Saxena

2.54

Toggle Jury's comments

A poised lead vocal, deft tonal, lyrical and rhythmic choices. -Uday

Aman Mooney has a good voice. Pleasant song that benefits greatly from his singing. -Anish

Jhinjhoti influence; Vocals bear vague resemblance to a young Sonu Nigam - song gets distinctly more interesting as it goes on…some of the harkats are very clearly edited. -Sanjeev

I liked Shaurya Saxena's voice. Sonu-ish timbre with a base, singing like Arijit is how I would describe his voice and singing which works well at times and can work better depending on how he is made to sing. -Shivani

Liked this more than I expected. Anyway, I'm a sucker for sitar usage in contemporary music. -Shalini

The album is a melancholic fusion of rural Bengali folk tunes with modern, western rhythms and Instrumentation that incorporates traditional Bengali folk instruments. -Ajay

Exceptional composition and arrangement complemented by heartfelt singing. -Vidyu

फ़ानी (न ग़ुल न ग़ुलिस्तान)

faanii (Na Gul Na Gulistan)

Tags: blues, chiming, fusion, indie-rock, philosophical, philosophy, poetic, pop, rock, sufi

परवाज़
Parvaaz

सैयद मुराद गिलानी
Syed Murad Gilani

परवाज़
Parvaaz

2.51

Toggle Jury's comments

It is transient yet grounded. Sounds like a combination of Rock (may be Blues) and Hindustani classical. Loved the flow of instruments. -Deepa

Texutured voice gels well with Guitar riffs. -Pavan

The tune, arrangements, vocals and lyrics - all complement each other very well. -Anish

Definition of easy listening. -Shalini

All I see is the rhythm divine. .. All I feel is the song derived. One a serious note, the compositions sounds good, but neither lyrics (which are almost inaudible due to heavy percussion) nor the singing help it make better. -Shivani

Atmospheric rock, and psychedelic number characterized by slow-burning, textured, and, at times, cinematic arrangements alternating both acoustic and electric elements. -Ajay

Groove is catchy and musical backdrop nice - vocals aren't really doing anything for me. Lyrics interesting but the pace of the song kinda smothers them. -Sanjeev

Chiming guitar with some beautiful harmonies. -Uday

कहानी मेरी

kahaanii merii

Tags: ballad, classically-based, emotional, fusion, introspective, melodic, philosophy, restless, sarangi, searching, soulful

पीवीएनएस रोहित
PVNS Rohit

जी रितेश राव, सोनू निगम
G Ritesh Rao, Sonu Nigam

सोनू निगम
Sonu Nigam

2.50

Toggle Jury's comments

Though Sonu's lyrics don't make the cut, he excels as a singer, as always. The tune by P V N S Rohit is appealing. -Anish

Spotify's blurb on Sonu: "An entity that translates vibrations of the vaccum into frequencies of music." Okay, then. -Shalini

Conspicuous Bageshri-base, nice sarangi and tabla pieces. .. Quintessential Sonu, lots of tiny harkats, some interesting rhythmic play - another great "practice" song, but too much cerebral stuff crammed in with no room for the heart to breathe. And that's *before* the key change. .. -Sanjeev

Sonu Nigam as the narrator of this chronicle resonates with the emotions of the lyrics. -Deepa

Rohit composes this song almost like making it a showcase for Sonu’s already-known vocal prowess. The melody seemed to be based on raaga Bageshri, to my untrained ears, but it is both rich and thoroughly alluring, particularly in Sonu’s phenomenal vocals. -Karthik

Sonu blends traditional Indian classical/folk elements with modern, contemporary production. His vocals is able to produce the complex tune and its variations. -Ajay

The drums at the end help in this song finishing on a high. Sonu's very good throughout though. -Runcil

A promising start killed by the overall composition. Too may harkats and over emoting again kill the hearing for me. Death by the change in scale towards the end of the song. To the song: Kahani teri, kahaan ja rahi hai, mujhe na khabar, bas hai gila. Lowest score. -Shivani

One of my most favorite non-film songs in the recent memory, and Sonu Nigam is giving it all. -Nagarajan

Interesting to see Kushagra scoring 55m views while this has just 25k. . Showcase of demographics for NF space. . Nothing khaas again, Sonu tries to pack too much of harkats but fails to deliver. . Even the chord change doesn't work for the the overall synthetic sound all over. -Pavan

A fine Sonu vocal over rock-classical fusion. -Uday

ठहर जा

Thahar jaa

Tags: heartfelt, innocent, longing, pop, retro, romantic, soulful, wistful

गर्वित-प्रियांश
Garvit-Priyansh

अनिकेत शुक्ला
Aniket Shukla

गर्वित सोनी, प्रियांश श्रीवास्तव
Garvit Soni, Priyansh Srivastava

2.46

Toggle Jury's comments

The song blends Indian classical and grand Bollywood orchestral influences. Heartfelt song captures themes of longing, nostalgia, and finding solace in a renewed bond. -Ajay

Pleasant song. The lyrics could have been much better. -Anish

Telephone effect to start? Very subtle nod to Chhayanat. .. Vocals are warm and engaging, piano/guitars complement it beautifully. Nothing over-the-top to spoil the mood. Words feel a little clumsily fit in spots. -Sanjeev

Beautifully composed creating a mellow, calming, and heartfelt feel. -Vidyu

Listenable. . Carries old world charm well supported by strings. . Will go back to it. . -Pavan

Beautiful melody and good lyrics. Loved Garvit Soni's smooth voice. -Vaishali

आकाशिक टैपेस्ट्री - ज़रदोज़ी (द इंडियन ऑडिसी)

Akashik Tapestry - zaradozii (The Indian Odyssee)

Tags: earthy, folk, folksy, fun, fusion, global fusion, groovy, improvised, indian classical fusion, instrumental, jamming, rajasthani, romantic, techno, vibey

शाश्वत सचदेव
Shashwat Sachdev

पीयूष कपूर
Piyush Kapoor

छोटू ख़ान, दारा ख़ान, कुतला ख़ान, मधुबंती बागची
Chotu Khan, Dara Khan, Kutla Khan, Madhubanti Bagchi

2.40

Toggle Jury's comments

Aave Hichki gets a frantic reworking; lots of ideas but not cohesive enough. -Uday

Very interesting take on the folk song. -Anish

Interesting textures, weak structure. -Manjiri

Shashwat is firing on all cylinders, and this song feels like an extension of Dhurandhar soundscape. -Nagarajan

Opening is engaging, but evolves into something more predictable, less interesting after that. .. Like the female vocals in that low register, but on the whole, found the song repetitive and couldn't really latch on. -Sanjeev

High-energy track with distinctive vocal, sitar and choir layering, highlighting rich sounds including Rajasthani folk themes and acoustic beats. -Ajay

Most of the tapestry was actually working beautifully but addition of some of the modern parts made it feel discordant and ruined the feel of it. -Vaishali

Shares some DNA with "ishq jalakar." Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves in this one, self included. -Shalini

Jiyo bhawar sa! Shashwat is good for soul less textured music. This is Aave hichki minus the melody. . -Pavan

Some of the turns this song takes truly make for a great ride. -Runcil

खो ही जाएँ

kho hii jaae.N

Tags: chillout, duet, fusion, melancholy, pop, romantic, soft pop, soothing, trance

संभव बख्शी
Sambhav Baxi

आशी धीमान, वृंदा कपूर
Aashee Dhiman, Vrinda Kapoor

संभव बख्शी, शरीन जेम्स
Sambhav Baxi, Sharein James

2.25

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Dated template of 90s. . Sounds like inspired from a Disney song. -Pavan

A very soothing composition you could keep hearing without realising what the lyrics are, because that is exactly what happens. . A bit of sloppy singing makes the lyrics unclear. Singers Sambhav and specially Aashee (has a beautiful clear voice) make up for the lost and forced lyrics. -Shivani

Pretty singing and soundscapes/background - nothing in particular grabs me. -Sanjeev

The two singers complement each other's voices well. -Anish

Melodic composition with acoustic instrumentation and vocals creating a haunting melody. -Ajay

The English lyrics in the middle are cringe. Liked the duet bits though. -Shalini

Excellent singers. -Vaishali

एक बार फिर

ek baar phir

Tags: ballad, modern, old-fashioned, pop, retro, romantic, sentimental, throwback, warm

मोनाली ठाकुर
Monali Thakur

कुणाल वर्मा
Kunaal Vermaa

मोनाली ठाकुर
Monali Thakur

2.16

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Monali Thakur composes a tune that has a nice old world charm to it. -Anish

The heartfelt vocals, soulful lyrics, and nostalgic melody evoke the music of a bygone era. -Vidyu

Nice to hear Monali Thakur again. Her style of singing and the simple orchestration give the illusion of intimacy - as if she's just singing for you. Nice. -Shalini

Lovely retro sound by Monali Thakur. -Nagarajan

Finally a song I might actively seek out for multiple repeat listens. Well-done. Definitely echoes of a past era. Monali Thakur's pickup from the lower octave and the rendition in general are endearing. Editing in a few places sounds a little conspicuous. -Sanjeev

Monali's prominent use of vibrato in general is a put off for me. Nor am I fan of her slightly nasal singing. Doesn't work for me. -Shivani

Personal, heartfelt ballad exploring emotional, deep, and reflective themes. The mix could have been better considering the overall production. -Ajay

Slow and Easy. . Short Phrasing works well. -Pavan

राधिका (आइ-पॉपस्टार 1)

raadhikaa (I-Popstar Vol 1)

Tags: classical fusion, contemplative, kathak-based, modern, pop, semi classical, semi-classical, separation, stormy

राधिका भिडे
Radhika Bhide

2.13

Toggle Jury's comments

Rendition without any heart putin. -Pavan

Traditional folk influences with modern pop sensibilities creating a romantic melody. Indie-pop number with clean voice and traditional style lyrics. -Ajay

Radhika brings in several elements, including rap, and concots a fairly interesting song. -Anish

If you want to make a fusion, make it like this one. -Shivani

Timing of the spoken rhythmic bols feels a little "loose", maybe by design? Mix of several ragas here…"Jalat" pronunciation bit tilted towards Marathi. Feels like a collage of pretty and well-executed pieces but searching for the "climax" to latch onto. -Sanjeev

Awkward pop treatment of a raag-based melody. -Uday

क्या ही है

kyaa hii hai

Tags: discovery, indie, introspective, liberating, philosophy, poised, pop, questioning, reflection, reflective, sadness

आकांक्षा सेठी, भरत, ईथन डियास, ख़्वाब
Akanksha Sethi, Bharath, Ethan Dias, Khwaab, Rahul Shah

आकांक्षा सेठी, राहुल शाह
Akanksha Sethi, Rahul Shah

आकांक्षा सेठी
Akanksha Sethi

2.12

Toggle Jury's comments

Was unaware of Akanksha Sethi before today but I feel I can see her singing in Bollywood soundtracks soon if she hasn't already. She has a voice that seems really suitable for it. -Runcil

Emotional ballad exploring the feelings of being lost, unseen, and hopeless in a relationship, acting like a comforting, empathetic embrace. Quiet, painful realization of a one-sided effort in a romantic relationship. -Ajay

Akanksha Sethi has a voice I could keep hearing on loop. I wish she sings more. Again a nicish composition you could loop wihtout caring for the lyrics which aren't bad either barring the use of "kya hi" that sticks out like a sore thumb to me. -Shivani

The lyrical hook of Kya hi hai works to some extent. -Pavan

Akanksha shows promise as a singer. -Anish

Very pleasing composition. Lovely voice! -Vidyu

Another pretty song with nice vocals and instruments, but nothing in particular to emotionally latch on to. -Sanjeev

पतंग

pata.ng

Tags: folk, fusion, pop, romantic, twinkling

अबीर चोपड़ा
Abeer Chopra

2.12

Toggle Jury's comments

Has a heard-before feel to it. Reminded me of a few songs I heard in the past. -Anish

Some nice "phirats" in passages…a little much on the "w" in "Khwaabon", vocal edits conspicuous in spots. -Sanjeev

Soft, floaty vocals with a melodic, chill feel. -Vidyu

Minimal music arrangement sounds peaceful. Abeer Chopra voice timbre gives the song a sincere touch. -Deepa

Indie-pop, Soulful, romantic, gentle song with "Lo-Fi" hip-hop beats. -Ajay

This is more closer to Sonu Nigam, than hos songs in playlist. -Pavan

देखा ही नहीं

dekhaa hii nahii.n

Tags: duet, easy listening, folkish, harmony, lilting, peaceful, pop, praising, romantic, soft acoustic

ओशो जैन
Osho Jain

ओशो जैन, सांची
Osho Jain, Sanchi

2.10

Toggle Jury's comments

The simplicity of the lyrics was a warm feeling for me. -Manjiri

The tune is so strong here that a light touch on the music front helps elevate that melody. -Runcil

Interesting shift to 7-beat meter for the interlude; Vocals are nice but pronunciations cloyingly sweet, borderline contrived;. -Sanjeev

The simplicity of the song, perhaps, is its biggest strength. -Anish

Raw, soft, and modern song with dreamy, acoustic, melancholic vibes. Indie-pop song with folk elements. -Ajay

Unadorned duet over clean, pleasant guitar noodling. -Uday

Simplicity in treatment works. . Liked the line "Koi jere jaisa mehka hi nahin" but singing is out of sur at places making a dent on overall impact. -Pavan

I have a soft spot for duets and this one was sweet and simple. -Shalini

धुल गये

dhul gaye

Tags: break-up, loss, melancholy, modern, moody, pensive, pop, questioning, rock, romantic, separation

अर्जुन हरजाई
Arjuna Harjai

अर्जुन हरजाई, सुरभि दशपुत्र
Arjuna Harjai, Surabhi Dashputra

अरिजित सिंह
Arijit Singh

2.10

Toggle Jury's comments

Arijit Singh's voice powers this haunting melody composed by Arjuna Harjai. -Anish

I could get lost in the fog of this song. -Manjiri

Good use of percussion. -Vaishali

A tasteful Arijit vocal but much nothing of note happening musically. -Uday

Arijit evokes a sense of haunting, the composition aptly adding to the emotion. Lyrics are a let down though. -Shivani

The album blends Indian Classical Ragas with modern production. Arjit's voice with traditional bandish-style compositions and contemporary sound makes it nice. -Ajay

Sensitive vocals from Arijit; beautiful melody. Sparser orchestration and rhythm leaves space to appreciate these elements. -Sanjeev

Restrained Arijit, Good Poetry. . Non-Film space has good future with him as flagbearer. -Pavan

दुआ सलाम

duaa salaam

Tags: atypical, commentary, eclectic, fun, fusion, hip-hop, indie-contemporary, jazzy, modern, peppy, philosophy, pop, upbeat, uplifting

सिद्धार्थ पंडित
Siddharth Pandit

आलोक रंजन श्रीवास्तव
Alok Ranjan Srivastava

सिद्धार्थ पंडित
Siddharth Pandit

2.08

Toggle Jury's comments

Enjoyed this for the mood and Siddharth's voice works well. -Pavan

Playful track with a jumpy flow and a brashly inventive call-and-response structure. -Uday

The singing's just fine, but I'll forgive a song many crimes if it has production this good. -Runcil

Siddharth Pandit's quirky tune gets bolstered by Alok Ranjan Shrivastava's lyrics. -Anish

Vocal harmony and the modern recording creates a unique effect to hip-hop like beats. -Ajay

There's something unusual, something weird, something quirky to the song which I cannot put a finger on, and for the same reason, it's surprisingly likeable without being really good in any of the departments. -Shivani

Nothing wrong as such with the song; but no hint of *any* "native" elements beyond the lyrics, so hard for me to really engage with it in this context. -Sanjeev

सुबह-ओ-शाम (लव लैंग्वेज़)

subah-o-shaam (Love Language)

Tags: contemporary, fusion, ghazal, pop, punjabi, quietly intense, romantic, sentimental

अली सेठी
Ali Sethi

नतानिया ललवानी
Natania Lalwani

अली सेठी, नतानिया
Ali Sethi, Natania

2.08

Toggle Jury's comments

Arrangement lifted from Portishead's The Rip, but works well with Sethi's restrained vocal. -Uday

Falls short of expectation. -Pavan

Wish the lyrics were slightly better here because the atmosphere Ali Sethi creates in the song is quite fantastic. -Runcil

The composition is nice and the backgrounds offer a sense of calm and meditative energy. -Anish

Pleasant voice and overall listen, voice is a little soft for all the lyrics come through clearly. -Sanjeev

Blends contemporary pop elements with traditional, poetic, and soft melodies, showcasing Sethi's unique, classically trained, yet modern style. Captures a blend of longing and the joy of connection, featuring a melodic, reflective, and poetic feel. -Ajay

मायावी 2.0

maayaavii 2.0

Tags: fusion, middle eastern influenced, moody, pop, romantic, searching, semi classical

संजीत हेगड़े
Sanjith Hegde

श्रद्धा पंडित
Shraddha Pandit

सोनू निगम
Sonu Nigam

2.05

Toggle Jury's comments

I don't think there is a vocal "harkat" Sonu leaves untouched in this song. :-). -Shalini

The tune is insipid and music not as good as Salim-Sulaiman's other works from this year. Makes me feel Sonu Nigam is overcompensating with his singing but even that just adds to a feeling of too much going on. -Runcil

Sonu Nigam in form, milking the light touch head-voice. Not as packed with harkats as other songs, but still a lot going on…like the "Jo Bhi Hoga Hoga Jo Bhi" hook. Like the instrumentation which leaves some brainspace (which the vocals take plenty of). -Sanjeev

Hope Sanjit Hegde-Sonu Nigam collaboration continues strong! -Nagarajan

A contemplative framework of illusion. Sonu Nigam's voice is elusive and ethereal at the same time. -Deepa

Why Sonu sounds like singing on 1. 25X. . Heartless delivery. -Pavan

Vaguely middle eastern sounding track with a fussy Sonu vocal. -Uday

Sonu brings his versatile voice to a haunting melody. Wish they did not make him sing the high notes. -Ajay

Sanjith Hegde composes an engaging tune which benefits greatly from Sonu Nigam's vocals. -Anish

The legendary voice elevates this song to another level! -Vidyu

जोगिया (भूमि 2025)

jogiyaa (Bhoomi 2025)

Tags: fusion classical, perpetual motion, pop, restless, rock, semi classical, techno, techno beat

सलीम-सुलेमान
Salim-Sulaiman

श्रद्धा पंडित
Shraddha Pandit

सोनू निगम
Sonu Nigam

2.04

Toggle Jury's comments

Sonu's name raised some expectation but falls short of expectation, specially for the synthesized voice. . -Pavan

Sonu blends traditional Indian classical/folk elements with modern, contemporary production. Did not particularly enjoy the sargams in Sonu's voice. -Ajay

It's 2025 and Sonu Nigam is on a roll! -Nagarajan

Not used to hearing Salim-Sulaiman working in this soundscape. Quite enjoyable. -Runcil

A hurried mix of genres, mediocre lyrics and to top it all, Sonu overdoing it. Nothing to like. -Shivani

Sonu Nigam's rendition is the highlight of the song. -Anish

Sonu Nigam's voice plays with the sensibilities of a wanderer and a lover with the undercurrents of devotion. -Deepa

Sonu Nigam still has his chops, but it feels like he's trapped in a synth. .. Lots going on but hard to find anything in particular to latch on. .. -Sanjeev

Disappointing. -Shalini

साये (इन केस वी फ़ॉरगेट)

saaye (In Case We Forget)

Tags: dreamy, indie-rock, lo-fi, pop, rock, romantic, soft acoustic

द येलो डायरी
The Yellow Diary

द येलो डायरी, शिल्पा राव
The Yellow Diary, Shilpa Rao

2.03

Toggle Jury's comments

It was interesting to hear two contrasting voices (Rajan Batra and Shilpa Rao) on a track. -Anish

Would've been better off with just the Shilpa Rao vocal. -Uday

The male singer's voice reminded me of Talat Aziz. I don't like Talat Aziz's voice. -Shalini

The male singer kills the song. -Pavan

Blends emotive vocals with atmospheric, indie-rock sound. Poetic lyrics, electronic textures, and a strong, emotive, "digital shoeglaze" feel. -Ajay

Don't understand the tone and voice of the male singer. -Shivani

Background is beautiful, Shilpa Rao has her usual smooth touch - but male vocals by contrast are grating and garish, what effect is he trying to create? -Sanjeev

Shilpa Rao adds a lof of heft to a song that is unfortunately slightly dry. -Runcil

सिमटी (रंग)

simaTii (Rang)

Tags: 80s pop, dreamy, indie, peppy, pop, reflective, romantic, soft

अनुमिता नदेसन, पारस ठाकुर
Anumita Nadesan, Paras Thakur

बार्बी राजपूत
Barbie Rajput

अनुमिता नदेसन
Anumita Nadesan

2.01

Toggle Jury's comments

Nothing remarkable about the song except Anumita's rendition. -Anish

Pleasant. -Shalini

Something of a throwback - catchy enough! -Sanjeev

Classic indie-pop song for fans of Anumita's voice. -Ajay

Head-nodding beat, smooth vocal. -Uday

कैसी ये आँधी थी

kaisii ye aa.Ndhii thii

Tags: depressed, despairing, despondent, emotional, fusion, melancholy, nostalgic, pensive, pop, sad, sleepy, wistful

मनसा जिमी
Mansa Jimmy

2.00

Toggle Jury's comments

Elegantly wistful composition. -Uday

Conveys love, loss, and quiet strength, with a focus on nostalgic and melancholic emotions. Genre-fluid style blending elements of Indie, Sufi, and folk featuring a melancholic yet raw vocal quality. -Ajay

Weird pronunciation of "dhundhla" - interesting voice, but torn between sensuous and mournful, almost spooky - is she the Indian equivalent of Laufey? Tune feels a little aimless. -Sanjeev

Interesting thought/theme but the song does not stand out. -Anish

Nice overall, the finesse of a good song somehow lacking. Heard the singer Mansa Jimmy for the first time. Has a beautiful. Expressive voice, that lends a melancholy to the song without being dramatic, will do wonders when the right opportunity comes her way. Could work a bit on her tone and pronounciation, gives Sanam Puri vibes at times which creates an ambiguity as to whether it is a male singing with a thinner voice or a female singing with a thicker voice. A good find for me, would surely like to hear more from this team. -Shivani

तू पहली तू आख़री (द बैड्स ऑफ़ बॉलीवुड)

tuu pahalii tuu aaKharii (The Ba***ds of Bollywood)

Tags: emotional, indie, power ballad, romantic

शाश्वत सचदेव
Shashwat Sachdev

कुमार
Kumar

अरिजित सिंह
Arijit Singh

1.96

Toggle Jury's comments

Shashwat creates a good ambiance. -Pavan

Atmospheric song, would work well with a story. -Shivani

Lingering melody that blends harmoniously with the voice dynamics. -Vidyu

Arijit Singh's rendition is the mainstay of this song. -Anish

"Weird Arijit" with that deadpan delivery again. .. Never mind. .. Points for being able to do whatever you want your voice, I guess? -Sanjeev

Only for Arijit's voice <3. -Manjiri

What the hell was that? ! -Shalini

Enthusiastic but forgettable power ballad. -Uday

Soulful romantic ballad capturing the intense emotions of everlasting love, heartbreak, and tender longing. Arijit Singh’s evocative vocals bring it to life. -Ajay

आँखों

aa.Nkho.n

Tags: beats, club, dance, indie pop, pop, pop-ballad, retro, romantic, smooth

ओफ़, सवेरा
OAFF, Savera

अंकुर तिवारी
Ankur Tewari

ओफ़, सवेरा, अंकुर तिवारी, ध्वनि भानुशाली
OAFF, Savera, Ankur Tewari, Dhvani Bhanushali

1.94

Toggle Jury's comments

It's a little thin. -Manjiri

Like the percussion and rhythm, and the instrumentation in bits, nothing else. -Shivani

Smooth disco beat and floaty vocal make this an easy listen. -Uday

Vibrant and playful pop song showcases a distinct, psychedelic, and colorful visual style. Seems experimental yet cool with a "haunting synth" and "mood-driven" soundscape. -Ajay

Sounded similar to many other songs by OAFF and Savera. Still, their work on this track was the only thing that stood out to some extent. -Anish

Dhvani is Techno Plastic! -Pavan

Feels like it should be sung by vocaloids, Anime characters, or something. Nursery rhyme with a cool bass line. -Sanjeev

आइ एम डन (आइ-पॉपस्टार 1)

I am Done (I-Popstar Vol 1)

Tags: blunt, bored, detached, low key intense, lowkey, pop, resigned, romantic, soft acoustic

मान पन्नू
Maan Panu

1.94

Toggle Jury's comments

Groove could be catchy, but tune (barely touches the upper octave) and vocals go out of their way to be boring. .. -Sanjeev

Maan Panu's voice sounds vulnerable in this emotional closure. Music is modern and crisp. -Deepa

Simple, consumable product for streaming market. Bad for a song. -Pavan

A track that benefits from simple repetition and avoidance of drama. -Uday

A simple, catchy song that has a sing-along quality to it. -Anish

Haunting, raw, sparse, and sonically minimalist number. It holds a steady beat to modern style lyrics. Punjabi Indie-pop which is upbeat with a catchy tempo. -Ajay

फ़ना फ़िल्लाह (रिक़्क़त)

fanaa fillaah (Riqqat)

Tags: indie, lost, melancholic, pensive, philosophy, piano, pining, pop, romantic, soft acoustic, soft rock, sufi, traveler

अर्सलन निजामी
Arslan Nizami

अर्सलन निजामी, मुईन फ़ारुक़
Arslan Nizami, Mueen Farooq

अर्सलन निज़ामी, फ़हीम अब्दुल्ला
Arslan Nizami, Faheem Abdullah

1.93

Toggle Jury's comments

The second half [faheem's intro] is really good and lifts the song. -Pavan

Soulful, contemporary Sufi-inspired emotional song about finding oneself, hope, and connection with the creator during moments of despair. Evocative lyrics focusing on renewal, self-discovery, and divine love. -Ajay

The lyrics could have been much better. -Anish

No more distinctions between "f" and "ph"? I like the voice in the antara overall, but strange "rounding" of vowels. .." RaaKh" instead of "raakh". .. -Sanjeev

Kehna toh kuchh main chahoon, Keh kuchh main aur hi jaaon - these lines sum up the whole song well. Couldn't figure out what the lyricist wanted to convey. Same with singing. -Shivani

The song's good but Faheem Abdullah's entrance in the second-half adds some melancholy that takes the song to another level. -Runcil

हरजाई (नई बात)

harajaaii (Nayi Baat)

Tags: dance, dancefloor, folk, fun, fusion, modern, party, pop, retro, rock

आइ पी सिंह, राजर्षि सान्याल
IP Singh, Rajarshi Sanyal

फ़रीदकोट, आइ पी सिंह, राजर्षि सान्याल
Faridkot, IP Singh, Rajarshi Sanyal

1.92

Toggle Jury's comments

An upbeat song that is great fun to listen to! -Anish

The lurical tukbandi again sounds like AI supported. -Pavan

A blingy, synth-driven retro pop that glides oh-so-smoothly! The backing vocals (Nupoor Khedkar, Brecilla Dsouza, Damini Gautam, and Nidhi Wagle) does a pitch-perfect job in accentuating the song’s feel, while Rajarshi Sanyal swoops in with a guitar interlude in total style. IP Singh’s lead vocals is, as always, excellent. -Karthik

Female voice is the most interesting part of the song. -Sanjeev

Peppy, upbeat, and energetic song designed to fit a "groove". Distinct, modern, high-energy track with a playful, and contemporary sound. -Ajay

The hook line is catchy. That's about it. -Shivani

अर्ज़ किया है (कोक स्टूडियो भारत)

arz kiyaa hai (Coke Studio Bharat)

Tags: acoustic, breezy, fusion, indian folk, intimate, pop, romantic, shyaeri, sincere, wistful, wooing

अनव जैन
Anuv Jain

1.90

Toggle Jury's comments

Acoustic, indie-pop ballad that blends heartfelt singing with harmonium notes. -Ajay

The use of "kya hi" is pretty much a put off for me in talking, it has now pervaded lyrics also. Not that this has anything to do with not liking the song. -Shivani

Did not work too well for me. -Anish

Some vibes, easy going… but could not live up to the label of Coke Bharat. -Pavan

An eager lead vocal sells a lightly charming track. -Uday

Vibrato is one thing but I don't get the appeal of the "erratic tremor"-based singing. Some weird harkats in the antara. .. Tune feels a little random. Voice is pleasant enough but a little too light and airy. -Sanjeev

Charming composition beautifully influenced by classical elements, featuring pleasing vocals, soothing harmonium, and acoustic guitar. -Vidyu

Good use of harmonium is rare to find nowadays. -Deepa

शहर (इन केस वी फ़ॉरगेट)

shahar (In Case We Forget)

Tags: driving song, indie, introspective, lonely, melancholic, philosophical, philosophy, pop, reflective, rock, soft acoustic, soft rock, spare, thoughtful

द येलो डायरी
The Yellow Diary

हिमोंशु पारिख
Himonshu Parikh

द येलो डायरी
The Yellow Diary

1.83

Toggle Jury's comments

This is an intimate, slow-burn urban lament that distills everything The Yellow Diary does so well, particularly, Rajan Batra’s vocals, that, here sound more weary than cheery, fit for the song’s theme of suffocation and loneliness of/in a city. The band, though, continues to concoct delicate synths, guitar swells and unhurried drums into a winning combination. -Karthik

Synth loops, layered, and dance-oriented sounds. Airy guitar textures, and gentle electronic sounds having a "digital shoegaze" feel. Lyrics did not connect with the composition. -Ajay

First time listening to Rajan Batra's voice and it does take some getting used to how he enunciates. -Runcil

A new trend in voice projection? Not enjoying it. -Sanjeev

Thin, affected vocal doesn't do justice to quietly pulsing melody. -Uday

An interesting song on everyday life in urban India. -Anish

This voice really doen't work for me. -Shalini

बस तेरा

bas teraa

Tags: pop, pop-romantic, romace, romantic, soft acoustic, yearning

रीतो रीबा
Rito Riba

सिद्धांत कौशल
Siddhant Kaushal

रीतो रीबा
Rito Riba

1.77

Toggle Jury's comments

Pleasant listen, not badly sung, but nothing for me to really latch onto as more than a "background" song. -Sanjeev

Maybe Rishabh Can. -Shivani

After listening to the song, did not feel the urge to come back to it. -Anish

Has nice breezy feel to it, is not hard onears but again deserve better lyrics. -Pavan

Ballad blends traditional Indian melodies with contemporary pop and soulful lyrical music. Emotional, longing-filled vocals and a soft acoustic, romantic vibe. -Ajay

मेहरबानी

meharabaanii

Tags: contemplative, dreamy, etheral, philosophy, pop, romantic, unspoken love, wispy pop

अना रहमान, शुभम शिरूले
Ana Rehman, Shubham Shirule

1.75

Toggle Jury's comments

Ana Rehman gives a good account of herself as a composer and vocalist in this track. -Anish

The silence and the echo effects between beats creates a new sound. -Ajay

The rhythmic "Reh Jaata…" section gets your attention - but only for a moment. .. Ana Rehman reminds me of ((the singer) AR Rahman. -Sanjeev

Lackluster. -Pavan

फ़ाइंडिंग हर

Finding Her

Tags: emo, indie-pop, lovesick, pop, romantic

साहिल
Saaheal

कुशाग्र, साहिल
Kushagra, Saaheal

कुशाग्र, भरत, साहिल
Kushagra, Bharath, Saaheal

1.69

Toggle Jury's comments

Modern South-Asian Indie, with semi-classical and lite vocal influences. Evokes deep emotions trying to make a connection. -Ajay

Simple, functional, Massey. .The pauses keep engagement going. Supporting vocals help the core moving. Captioned writing makes me smell some AI at work. -Pavan

Song has a major Ed Sheeran/Bruno Mars waltz-ballad hangover. -Runcil

A pained slow jam with a backdrop that sounds intriguingly detuned. -Uday

Does not break any new ground. Pleasant nonetheless. -Anish

This was probably one of my nominated songs, now I wonder why. -Shivani

All kinds of liberties (aka mistakes) with pronunciation; another very pleasant background listen, but no repeat value for me. Why the title? -Sanjeev

रूठे हो

rooThe ho

Tags: cajoling, comforting, make-up, modern, pop, romantic, romantic pop, warm

ज़ीशान ख़ान
Zeeshan Khan

1.67

Toggle Jury's comments

Zeeshan Khan's voice reminds me of a slightly nasal Kailash Kher. -Runcil

The voice was extremely nasal for me. And the overall feel was very derivative. -Manjiri

Voice is a bit "swallowed" and nasal, a distraction from the get-go. Instrumental backdrop is cleanly done, but some nice ornamentations aside, tune doesn't really grab you. -Sanjeev

Romantic contemporary pop style composition. Enjoyed the composition despite the vocals were a bit-nasal for my taste. -Ajay

A distinct and memorable melody, sung beautifully. -Vidyu

Aha! Nasal after long…. -Pavan

Takes a while to warm up to Zeeshan's unusual voice. Simple, pleasant song. -Anish

तुम से

tum se

Tags: 12/8 rock, boy band, fusion, indie-pop, pop, rock, romantic

सहाना राहुल रेले, साहिल नितिन मगर, सिद्धांत सुदेशचंद्र भोसले, वैभव पानी
Sahana Rahul Rele, Sahil Nitin Magar, Siddhant Sudeshchandra Bhosle, Vaibhav Pani

आउटस्टेशन
Outstation

1.67

Toggle Jury's comments

Found it be a very ordinary, run-of-the-mill pop song. -Anish

Weird affected vocalism at the beginning brings an otherwise interesting (if barely discernably Desi) song down. -Sanjeev

A gentle, romantic, swaying rhythm, first love vibes with relatable lyrics about young love. It is a dreamy, youthful, acoustic, indie-pop love ballad. -Ajay

Fairly standard rock ballad template but this is one of those well-done examples. -Runcil

302020 (नेक्सा म्यूज़िक सीज़न 3)

302020 (NEXA Music Season 3)

Tags: angry, electronic, experimental, global fusion, gully rap, hip hop, hip-hop, moody, rap, rhythmic, social commentary

हार्डबोन बॉय, एक्सटर्न
Hardbone Boy, Extern

1.65

Toggle Jury's comments

Didn't work for me at all. The performers failed to bring the theme to the fore through words/rap. -Anish

Powerful lyrics. -Vaishali

Not a good judge for rap, but it feels a little shy of trying to experiment with the format of rap music. Political for the sake of politics. -Manjiri

Loved the production on this song. -Runcil

Desi hip-hop number showcasing traditional instruments like sitar and tabla alongside modern electronic and orchestral arrangements, reflecting our rich heritage. Too techno for my liking. -Ajay

Not a fan of rap. -Shivani

Overproduced, verbose, unfocused rap track. -Uday

Ambitiouis but fails. . Has attitude and motion but lacks novelty. -Pavan

Not likely to become a favorite of mine, but steady flow of words and rhythmic patterns are definitely engaging. Feels as though someone wrote "real-world" lyrics on top of an intricate set of dance or tabla bols. -Sanjeev

घर

ghar

Tags: folk, heartbreak, longing, pop, remembering, romantic, saccharine, separation, soft acoustic

अमृत सोखी
Amrit Sokhi

1.52

Toggle Jury's comments

Only the arrangements worked for me, to an extent. -Anish

Indie pop, melancholic song with a lilting acoustic beat balancing raw vocals. -Ajay

Like the sarangi and violin ending. Tune is interesting in spots. But why the (singer's) fascination with the "non-desi" musical inflection, ornamention, and to an extent pronunciation? You can substitute in English words and you'd never know the difference. -Sanjeev

Style kills and how… Good when there is no singing. . -Pavan

Noticed that "sad" songs don't always sound sad these days. Not a bad thing. -Shalini

सदियाँ (आइ-पॉपस्टार 1)

sadiyaa.N (I-Popstar Vol 1)

Tags: indie pop, pop, pop qawwali, pop-ballad, quasi-qawwali, romantic

अभिजय शर्मा
Abhijay Sharma

1.43

Toggle Jury's comments

Blends traditional Indian ragas, and melodic patterns with modern Western soundscapes. -Ajay

Abhijay Sharma performs his duties as a composer, lyricist and singer well. -Anish

Male singer seems to be trying to express emotion by using as little force as possible …"Dariya Dariya" chorus section puts a bit of a charge in the song, but the "Tana Derena" and the too-slow gamak taan culminating in a tihai all sound very forced. .. -Sanjeev

आये हो तुम (नेक्सा म्यूज़िक सीज़न 3)

aaye ho tum (NEXA Music Season 3)

Tags: global fusion, good vibes, indie pop, party, pop, romantic, soft romantic

सार्थक कल्याणी
Sarthak Kalyani

विक्रम एडके
Vikram Edke

सार्थक कल्याणी
Sarthak Kalyani

1.39

Toggle Jury's comments

The tune and the lyrics just did not work for me. -Anish

Indie-pop, soulful ballad blending Indian classical with modern, soulful, and evocative pop senses. The accompaniment is too techno for my tastes. -Ajay

Generally like the voice - good punch in the upper octave. But too much going on. .. Like so many other songs. Then suddenly the party is crashed by a Latin band. -Sanjeev

Only the carrabian flavour lists it to some extent. -Pavan

Love how Sarthak Kalyani is growing as a singer. -Nagarajan

The Spanish break in the middle is the only point of interest. -Uday

Template song using Flamenco to sound different. -Shivani

Generically pleasant, like a dozen other songs in the list. -Shalini

Pleasant but quickly forgettable. -Manjiri

पल पल

pal pal

Tags: beat, club, indie pop, pop, punjabi, romantic, rustic

अफ़्यूजिक
Afusic

1.19

Toggle Jury's comments

Hip-hop melancholic, romantic lyrics set to a catchy rhythm. . -Ajay

This feels like a song that wouldn't feel out of place in the 1990s (derogatory). -Runcil

Not groundbreaking by any means but very catchy. -Anish

Vocals too mechanized/technofied; typical dance beat - is it anything but a background listen? At least it's short. -Sanjeev