In this list, we follow an EP with songs that limelight unresolved queries, glowing melodies from the northeast of India, a striking duet hip-hop presentation from a seasoned rapper, a lethal progressive rock debut, and more!
Kairvina – ‘Eternal’
Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Kairvina’s new EP ‘Eternal,’ released June 20, 2025, carries boatloads of unanswerable questions sprinting alongside moments of self-reflection to poignantly provide a sonic companion in times of chaos and isolation.
Circling themes of existentialism and loneliness, the artist draws from her many inspirations of roots, rock, indie folk, and pop music to design a genre-fluid five-track EP. Led by the artist’s breathy vocals, on ‘Eternal,’ you’ll find sleek arrangements of acoustic guitars, tabla-like percussions, rumbling bass work, warm brass patches, angelic harmonies, and alternative/indie-pop tints.
Lodged on the EP is ‘Squint Your Eyes,’ which delivers a hefty serving of acoustic instrumentation and rock motifs. Opening with picky guitar chords sliced with haunting string segments, the tune goes on to spring out a brooding country-pop-esque melody before unleashing a fierce hard-rock outro. According to the press note, this song is “for anyone who feels caged, lost, and still wants to pull through it.”
“Eternal EP lives in the in-between, the part where nothing happens, but everything changes,” it added.
Find Kairvina on Spotify | Instagram
The Lightyears Explode – ‘Dead People’
Written on the heels of their ‘Suburban Prose‘ album, out comes the latest single from punk-rockers The Lightyears Explode in ‘Dead People.’ The new rock outing is ruled by wavy synth sketches, chugging bass yanks, rhythmic drum movement, and a magnetic chorus to serve up a stellar mix of punk rock, indie jangle, and dance-pop sounds. Singer-guitarist Saurabh Roy throws down a polished vocal performance over a piping-hot tune, and the song also folds in shrieking electric guitar riffs.
Staying true to punk rock’s rebellious nature, the band talks about “a society strapped down by systems they can’t or don’t question, ruled by flash trends and algorithms” in this release. “People without curiosity or imagination, going through life but not truly living.”
Find The Lightyears Explode on Spotify | Instagram
Koktun – ‘Kerang Kothoma’
Douse yourselves in the comforting and soothing sounds of Tripura’s vibrant collective Koktun and their debut album titled ‘Kerang Kothoma.’ Released on June 17, 2025, the album features eight captivating songs crafted in their trademark styles of country, soul, folk, indie, and jazz.
Performed in Kokborok and English, the album mirrors Koktun’s distinctive storytelling approach, which is simple, sincere, and deeply rooted in Indigenous identity. The album is loaded with five new songs and features earlier releases ‘Hamjakma Phu Omo,’ ‘Muito Mano Ang‘ and ‘Mwktrwi Manliya.’
Opening to whistling hoots, the group takes you on a blissful journey with ‘Every Word Belongs To You,’ a bilingual breezy melody prepared with ukulele strums, light keys, and harmonica. The title track, ‘Kerang Kothoma,’ invites listeners “to reconnect with their roots and remember the magic of simpler days” and presents a soulful sound with a jazzy feel.
‘Aani Loge Ni Kami’ lays out rich acoustic textures, upbeat percussion fixtures, and magical guitar scales, while ‘Saal Thang’ ties together elegant piano sequences and a brief rock outro conjured via electric guitar.
Via email, the group shared, “‘Kerang Kothoma’ is a heartfelt collection of songs that weave together the soulful essence of village life, memory, and emotion.”
Find Koktun on Spotify | Instagram
Niyati Handa x Himanshu Kohli – ‘Kaise Kahoon’
When we last checked in with desi-pop artist Niyati Handa, she served up an ode to a bride-to-be via her single ‘Ishq Hai Nibhana.’ Now, in only her second release of this year, Niyati teams with singer-composer Himaanshuu Kohli and producer Pranshu Jha to lay down the perfect accompaniment to the ongoing rainy season.
This Hindi-language pop tune discusses emotional bonds and memories that linger on long after a relationship has faded away. Although it is lyrically bleak, trust Niyati and Himaanshuu to conjure an upbeat feel and cheery vibe with their mellow vocals and harmonies.
Since its release, ‘Kaise Kahoon’ has amassed nearly 25,000 plays on Spotify, and its music video, directed by Sumit Baruah and starring Niyati Handa and Chirag Shah, has gained over 6K views on YouTube.
Seen in the video are novels from Japanese author Genki Kawamura’s novel “If Cats Disappeared from the World” (2012) and American writer Mark Manson’s “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” (2016), which add depth to the video and overarching story.
Find Niyati Handa on Spotify | Instagram
Perception Delta – ‘Haunt You’
Formed in 2024, Chennai-based alternative/progressive rock outfit Perception Delta takes its first steps into the indie scene, cracking open their debut single, ‘Haunt You.’ The foursome who write about social issues and personal experiences dive into a tale of deceit and redemption on this single.
‘Haunt You’ begins with fuming, distorted guitars, bulky bass tugs, and feral drum beats, immediately drawing you into its gruff rhythm. Elevated by a hauntingly serene vocal presentation, the tune gallops into a raging, hot progressive rock rhythm. Mixed and mastered by Hritik Das, ‘Haunt You’ is crowd-ready and serves up a headbangers’ delight.
Perception Delta consists of Antara Arvind (vocals), Shrikar (drums), Kurian John (bass), and Nirav Adrian (guitar), and from the marks of this release, they are well on their way to establishing a lasting impression in India’s rock scene.
Find Perception Delta on Spotify | Instagram
Allan Martyn – ‘Baby It’s Me’
Doused in the warmest of instrumentation is Gurgaon-based singer-songwriter Allan Martyr’s latest music release, ‘Baby It’s Me.’ The ditty is composed of light guitar strumming, brushed drum activity, and somber piano chords, and makes an excellent companion for the early hours of the day.
Allan effortlessly delivers a somber vocal performance, singing lyrics that speak of promise, assurance, and commitment. He calls this single “a love letter in song that speaks about loyalty, quiet devotion, and the kind of love that doesn’t fade.”
Find Allan Martyr on Spotify | Instagram
Bhaktaaa – ‘Bahane/Nishaane’
Rapper-producer Keshav Bhugra, best known as Bhaktaaa, introduces two contrasting characters from the same persona on his experimental two-part hip-hop release ‘Bahane/Nishaane,’ produced by musician Devonian. Lyrically, the track bears opposing statements, wherein the ‘Bahane’ getup spotlights a more somber component of his internal struggles and introversion, and ‘Nishaane’ aggressively triggers a warning shot for those who seek to do him harm.
From a raw, introspective conversation to a feisty word of caution, Bhaktaaa delivers an emotionally charged performance and perfectly rotates his tone to deliver the two opposing viewpoints. Devonian’s production also acknowledges the shift in personality, transitioning from a slick hip-hop rhythm to a sinister and feisty groove, punctuated by menacing piano stabs.
Via email, the artist revealed, “The track dives into two contrasting yet connected sides of one persona: the recluse and the observer.”
Find Bhaktaaa on Spotify | Instagram
Gory – ‘Teen Error’
Nomad musician Gauri Paighan, who releases music under the moniker Gory, cast out her self-produced debut EP ‘Teen Terror,’ a seven-track album soaked in her honest songwriting and indie-rock motifs. Gory lays out a candid and incredibly authentic collection of songs that capture the morphing identity of a teen foraging for her freedom, her truth, and her sound.
The EP runs through pop-rock hues on ‘Adventures of Us,’ garage-rock flavors on ‘November,’ sublime crooning on ‘Behalf of Us,’ and a groovy, almost reggae-like action on ‘Repeat It.’ Closing the EP is ‘Rare Nerine,’ which offers a big, melancholy ballad feel, squeezed with an orchestral touch; it gleams with a whirlwind of string and radiant piano segments.
Gory’s ‘Teen Terror’ is undoubtedly just the beginning of her authentic narrative, and with her gritty riffs, genre-swerving beats, and amiable melodies, she appears poised to shake up the indie music landscape.
Find Gory on Spotify | Instagram
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Listen to all of these songs and more on TFword’s official playlist –
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