When Music Becomes Emotion: Dissecting Hellkitty & Arundhati’s ‘Breathe’
The Bangalore-based artists return with their second collaboration, deepening what is turning out to be their signature blend of fierce drum patterns and soothing vocals.
The Bangalore-based artists return with their second collaboration, deepening what is turning out to be their signature blend of fierce drum patterns and soothing vocals.
A decade ago, finding drum & bass music in India was like searching for a needle in a haystack. The genre, which had seen a fleeting moment of popularity around 2014, had all but disappeared from the mainstream consciousness. However, just as rave-influenced music has surged back into popularity over the past five years, drum & bass has also re-emerged across the country. The global revival of rave culture and bass-driven electronic music has reignited India’s love for DnB, unearthing a wave of homegrown talent—producers, DJs, vocalists, and MCs pushing the genre into bold new territory.
Among this dynamic and gifted new wave of artists is Hellkitty, a producer who embodies the fearless and uncompromising spirit of India’s bass music movement. As a DJ, producer, and label owner, Hellkitty refuses to be confined to a single sound. Instead, he weaves together diverse musical elements to create a style that is uniquely his own. Since his debut, he has explored multiple facets of bass-heavy music, from deep, rolling rhythms to aggressive neurofunk, solidifying his reputation as one of India’s most exciting electronic acts.
On the other hand, Arundhati has been carving her own path with her soul-stirring vocals, capable of conveying profound emotion through her warm yet haunting delivery. Her ethereal vocals are steadily becoming a defining element in the Indian bass music space, blending seamlessly with dark, rolling basslines and cinematic soundscapes. The two artists first collaborated in 2023 with ‘Liberate,’ a track that balanced tension and release, showcasing their ability to craft music as emotionally gripping as it is dancefloor-ready.
Now, they’ve reunited for ‘Breathe,’ a track that feels like a sequel and an evolution. Where ‘Liberate’ simmered with restrained intensity, ‘Breathe’ erupts with raw power, tackling themes of trauma, survival, and the fight for self-reclamation. Built on a foundation of pounding drums and distorted Reese bass, the track merges the frenetic energy of neuro DnB with the weight of modern dubstep, creating a sound that’s as cathartic as it is chaotic.
This isn’t your typical club banger,” states Arundhati. “Breathe’ is about survival – pure and simple. That raw scream of ‘I’ve lost me’? That comes from a real place. And the struggle to find your breath again? That’s the realest battle there is.”
When Arundhati sent the vocals for ‘Breathe,’ I knew this wasn’t just another neuro banger, and I simply had to build the track around it—those Reese basslines aren’t just heavy, they’re angry. This is survivor music. If it makes you uncomfortable? Good,” said Hellkitty about how the release came along.
Arundhati’s vocals are the heart of the track, shifting from fragile whispers to defiant cries as she delivers the gut-wrenching hook: “I’ve lost me, I need to Breathe.” It’s a line that lingers long after the song ends—a mantra for anyone who’s fought to piece themselves back together. Hellkitty’s production mirrors this emotional journey, alternating between moments of eerie calm and explosive fury, making ‘Breathe’ a track that works just as well on a festival sound system as it does through headphones in a dimly lit room.
More than just a song, ‘Breathe’ is a testament to how far India’s drum & bass scene has come. No longer an afterthought, the genre is now a breeding ground for artists who aren’t afraid to blend vulnerability with sheer sonic force. With Hellkitty and Arundhati leading the charge, the future of Indian DnB has never sounded more alive.
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