Sameer Rahat, Divine, Nikhil D’Souza: The Best Indie Compilations of 2020

Featuring his ensemble from Dharma, New York trumpeter Adam O'Farrill, Finnish guitarist Olli Hirvonen, and Indian pianist Sharik Hasan, Delhi drummer/composer Tarun Balani's 'The Shape of Things to Come' is a stark reminder of events that can determine the fate of human existence in the near future. A collective display of upbeat, contemporary jazz, Balani's album is a sound culmination of storytelling and composition.

Paridhhi Bajoria aka PB had left for further studies to UK, last July, without a plan in place about what she wanted to release. A self-taught artist who began with learning the guitar and ukulele by herself to releasing covers online, Paridhhi wrote and produced 'head+heart' within two months in the confines of her bedroom. Tipping off to heartbreak, equality in friendship, finding a sense of purpose and celebrating imperfections, 'head+heart' is unadulterated, unfiltered music without the slightest trace of artifice.

Singer-songwriter Anoushka Maskey, who hails from Sikkim and is based in Mumbai, released two EPs in 2020. Her debut EP 'Things I Saw in a Dream' saw her visit harsh realities of life with an innocent gaze. But with her second EP, 'C.E.A.S.E', Maskey is unafraid to embrace doom, thereby liberating her listeners in the process. The 4-track EP features songwriting that can tear even the most-stone hearted apart yet hold them together with warmth. Our favourite you ask, 'Swansong'.

The eighth album from Bengaluru's most celebrated rock act, 'A World Gone Mad' is an unabashed outlet of bottled up rage against an establishment that has stunted the growth and aspirations of the young who wish for an existence away from the perils of control and unasked dictatorship. An album that has been in the making for over five years, the band members deemed it fit to release it in 2020, given the unrest lying in our society today. For those who haven't come across the album yet, try listening to 'Leaders of Men' and you'll know what we are talking about.

A scathing critique about an unforgiving, corrupt establishment, Bangalore's stoner rock duo Diarchy launches a raging attack with their sophomore album, 'Splitfire'. With standout tracks featuring 'Tirunelveli', 'Kamal Hossen' and 'Home', 'Splitfire' is lyrically and sonically enriching.

Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Banat Kaur Bagga describes 'Flish' as a marker of progress and growth of herself as an artiste. Deploying the use of semi-classical instrumentals to good use, the five-track EP is a unique blend of innocence and maturity of a young mind seeking her calling in life. A standout mention is 'For The Child In You' which expresses the relationship between a man and his pet and the impressions left by the latter.

New Delhi's Kiara Chettri delivers a fulfilling 10-track album, '4 AM' at the age of 17. Let that sink in firstly. A graduate from London's Trinity College at the age of 13 -yes, you read that right, Kiara in an interview to Rolling Stone India, admitted to being averse to the idea of singing as a child. But when you listen to her album, you will feel a sense of purpose reigniting within you. With compositions that cover self-doubt, aspirations, infidelity and mental health, '4 AM' is a glimpse into one's personal moments of pondering and introspection.

Revisiting the familiarity of old-school love, Nikhil D'Souza's poignant EP, 'Waqt' is soaked with nostalgia and innocence. It's also fitting that D'Souza releases a full-fledged compilation in Hindi, following the runaway success of his Hindi single, 'Sitaare' in 2019. An interpretive account of the singer's personal experiences in love, 'Waqt' speaks to its listeners collectively. It's hard to listen to 'Teri Tarah' and not think about a love that you regret letting go.

Vivian Fernandes aka Divine comes off age with 'Punya Paap', his most ambitious work till date. Covering class oppression, climate change, the evolution of the hip-hop genre and love in general, 'Punya Paap's credibility is further strengthened by standout collaborations featuring the likes of Lisa Mishra, Nas, Dutchavelli, Cocoa Sarai, MC Altaf, Stylo G, Phenom and D'Evil,

Sameer Rahat's 'Aamad' made us revisit the scars left behind by unfulfilled love and compelled us to celebrate them. It's a major win when an album features tracks relevant to every possible mood and emotion. Whether it's the poignant 'Khat', the consoling 'Tasalli', the personal 'Jo Bhi Hai' or the comtemplating 'Khuda Hai Kya', 'Aamad' is a listening experience that grows onto you and propels your personal growth too.

What a year has 2020 been for independent artistes despite several adversities staring at them in the face! Many established and emerging names optimised the lockdown to release their most ambitious projects featuring music that not only calmed our anxious souls throughout a period of uncertainty but also emboldened our beliefs in the originality and merit of homegrown music. We present our favourite ten compilations of the year which include albums and EPs.