Delhi-based singer-rapper Karun has released his third album, ‘Chehre,’ welded with a melange of sonics and a bucket load of collaborators.
“I went through different emotions while writing it, making the music,” conveyed Karun via a press note. “I traveled a lot for this project, found some new musicians, and tried making music I would want to hear.”
A taste of the narrative, direction, and sonic tapestry from ‘Chehre’ can be heard in the warm piano and classical strings in ‘Partein,’ the sumptuous instrumentation in ‘Anjaane,’ and the desi-hip hop hues on ‘Assa Te,’ which were released earlier.
Rising from Delhi’s underground rap scene, Karun’s new album enlists up to fifteen collaborators, including singers and producers, and is derived from Karun’s real-life experiences. On this outing, Karun dives into a playground of genres, mirrors his inspirations, and whirls themes of self-reflection, love, loss, jealousy, and chaos.
You’ll experience emotionally charged soundscapes that muddy the lines between alt hip-hop, ambient soul, and Indian textures. ‘Chehre’ also expands Karun’s baritone voice and R&B vocals onto trap, lo-fi, and acoustic indie pop productions.
As if assembling a genre-fluid tracklist wasn’t enough, every ensuing track eloquently switches between genres, captivating you with the anticipation of the following rhythm. Rattling down a few of the tracks, ‘Mere Chehre’ pulses with gorgeous harmonies, racing string segments, and steamy electric guitar parts.
The smooth R&B score of ‘Tere Hothon Pe’ is jolted by bursts of qawwali-inspired hooks; ‘Komal’ sees the rapper spitting bars over tapping beats; and ‘Zubaan’ opens to spangly acoustic guitar and pays homage to AR Rahman’s ‘Satrangi Re’ through its rhythm and tonal choice.
“Chehre is a milawat of all the things and styles I love, but above everything, it is an Indian sounds-focused album,” stated Karun. “This album is a record of my personal history, and I just don’t want to hide anymore.”
‘Chehre’ by Karun is currently streaming on all major audio platforms
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