While describing the exact vibe of Kolkata-based pop duo, Parekh and Singh, one line from their first song Philosophize comes to mind: “A New York state of mind in
Indian Standard Time”. Vocalist Nischay Parekh, who also plays the guitar, and Jivraj Singh on drums, create music and videos that are rooted in Kolkata, although their music is universal. “I don’t like classifying our music into a standard genre, but if I absolutely have to, then I would call it emotional pop,” says Nischay. In their first album, Ocean, they seamlessly blended soulful lyrics, mellow tunes and pastel suits — remember the video of I Love You, I love You Doll? Now they are ready with their second album, Science City. The first song, from the album, Summer Skin will be released on November 30.
Nostalgia trippin’
“I remember the trips we made to Science City when we were kids. Although the technology is irrelevant today, there’s an emotional connect we have with this place,” explains Nischay, adding that the video of Summer Skin was shot in newer places in the city.” I think Calcutta really informs what we do in a big way. The city is so nuanced and people who have grown up here have such a unique relationship with it,” he shares. Summer Skin offers a bridge of transition from their first album,Ocean, that offered a lyrical vibe and a Simon and Garfunkel feel. Summer Skin is mellifluous, too, with certain surprising changes in tempo.
Pastels & paradigm shifts
The video will also see a paradigm shift in the colours and scenery from the songs in their past album, where the duo donned pastel suits and mastered their unique brand of poker-faced expressions (see it to believe it!). In their latest, they will be opting for a bolder colour scheme with primary colours. Unlike their previous album, which the musicians had been putting together for years (Nischay, now 25, had written some of the songs when he was 12), their upcoming one began from scratch and finished within a shorter span of time. “It varied from song to song, but the entire process has probably taken about four years from the first initial demos to the final masters. The last song we added took maybe two months from start to finish,” informs Jivraj.
The duo will be releasing teasers from the video of Summer Skin and is planning an all-India tour soon.