Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Rono shares a poignant account of love, anguish, and letting go on his new album ‘Adhoore Se Khwaab,’ which also examines the brittleness of interpersonal bonds and the inevitability of death.
We first caught Rono performing a solo set at Gate Crash India’s World Music Day showcase in 2023, and his gripping onstage presence, coupled with relatable storytelling, easy-going lyrics, and emphatic live performance, made him an artist to keep an eye on ever since.
On TFword, we’ve previously featured works by Ronit Sarkar aka Rono, namely the sublime indie acoustic ballad ‘All Afternoon,’ acoustic soundscapes of ‘Chali Aa,’ serene violin parts on ‘Aakhri Safar,’ and what might be one of his best works thus far in ‘Gulaabi Rahi.’
Always upping his catchy narrative and storytelling arc, Rono now takes you on a melancholic journey on his latest nine-song album, ‘Adhoore Se Khwaab,’ which sees the artist pour his heart out on a record that serves as an ode to the end of relationships and also a tribute to his late father.
A true cohesive effort, each instrument and stretch of the album is recorded live, sans any digital programming. It features works from veteran lyricist and playback singer Swanand Kirkire, singer Aarifah, musician Sabu, singer-songwriter Dear Kokum, violinist Rajarshi Das, drummer Swarnavo Datta, producer Satyajit Chatterji, and more.
‘Tere Bin,’ a plucky string acoustic score, opens ‘Adhoore Se Khwaab’ and speaks about the void people leave behind, while ‘Kar Rihaa‘ pipes a delicate, wavy melody complete with violin notes and winks from the ghungroo.
Seasoned Bollywood musician, writer, and actor Swanand Kirkire (also a longtime collaborator of Rono’s late father, Mr.Pradeep Sarkar) lends his vocal prowess to the ensuing ‘Mehfooz Rakh,’ which, according to Rono, is “about letting yourself find safety in someone, despite knowing that nothing lasts forever.” The single is shrouded in string instrumentation courtesy of the mandolin and nylon-string guitar and is enriched by the harmonium and a powerful duet performance.
Speaking via press note, Rono expressed, “Putting an album together is a monumental undertaking for any artist, and this one for me comes straight from the heart. This is for anyone who has tried their hardest to keep love alive while having to make hard choices and felt the helplessness and despair of having those choices taken away. I hope this album helps people feel a little less lonely in their grief.”
‘Bas Hawaaein’ closes the album and sees Rono crooning against a warm medley of keys, violin, and picky acoustic guitar. It honors his dad and talks about “how death puts every other kind of loss into sharp perspective.”
Album Credits –
Composed by Rono
Lyrics by Rono and Taab
Produced by Rono and Satyajit Chatterji
Featuring vocals by Sabu, Swanand Kirkire, Dear Kokum, and Aarifah
Additional Synths by Sanjay Das
Drums by Swarnavo Datta
Violins by Rajarshi Das
Mixed by Rono
Mastered by Soutrik Chakraborty
Artwork by Taab
‘Adhoore Se Khwaab’ by Rono is currently streaming on all major audio platforms.
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