The EP is intended to bring Indian folk music to a wider audience than it might otherwise enjoy, as well as to create new music and experiences by blending it with its English counterpart. This fusion of musical styles and cultures, through the use of both familiar and exotic instruments, vocal styles and even languages creates interesting and striking music with a sound and style all its own.
The EP opens with ‘Devil Spoke/Sneh Ko Marg’, a combination of a song from Laura Marling’s last album ‘I Speak Because I Can’ and one from the Dharohar Project’s repertoire. The music starts off almost identical to the English original, but soon the tempo picks up, weird and wonderful Indian instruments come in, and the strange but highly enjoyable Indian vocals begin. The rest of the song then carries on in the same vein, the familiar English mixing with the alien Rajasthani to create an up tempo folk track with a twist.
One of the other titles on the EP, ‘To Darkness/Kripa’, is very similar, reworking a more familiar Mumford and Sons song in an Indian style. The other two songs, ‘Anmol Rishtay’ and ‘Mehendi Rachi’, are more Indian in style, but they are still very enjoyable, even for those (like me) who have never listened to Indian folk music before, or even have a clue what the song is about.
This is a very enjoyable EP that creates an extremely interesting sound by blending familiar English folk music with very, very unfamiliar Indian folk. It introduces listeners to a different and exciting musical culture, but mixes it with the recognisable to make the experience much less daunting. Overall then, a highly recommended and entertaining experience for fans of folk music.
Scores (out of 10)
Lyrics - N/A
Vocals - 7
Instrumentals - 7
Album Arrangement - 6
Overall - 7
Favourite Track - ‘Devil Spoke/Sneh Ko Marg’
