Dohnraj, a prominent name in the Indian rock music scene, is part of the New Delhi-born band 'Dohnraj and the Peculiars.' While the band is on a significant rise in the Indian music landscape, Dohnraj remains one of the finest indie acts from the city to keep an eye on. With the release of his first album, 'Beauty and Bullshit,' Dohnraj cemented his identity and sound in the industry with an 80s punk-inspired vibe. Three years later, he is set to release his second solo album, 'Gods and Lowlifes,' the title track of which is now out, featuring the talented Rnb/neo soul musician Josh Fernandez (Jbabe) of The F16s.
The track introduces what may be the central theme of Dohnraj’s upcoming album, given that it is the title track of the project. The song begins on a seemingly cheerful note with mellow bass undertones, punchy drums, and vibrant trumpets. However, Dohnraj’s passionate, throat-scorching vocals soon take us into his conflicted consciousness as he wrestles with societal structures, allowing his thoughts to bleed across the track with intense passion and raw emotion. His powerful vocals evoke memories of old-school rock music, a time when vocal layering wasn’t prevalent, and music felt raw and unfiltered.
As the track progresses, the artist presents the listener with a choice—a moral decision between gods and lowlifes—a subtle yet poignant reflection of the world’s current state, where religious conflicts have escalated to alarming levels. Just as this perspective of choice is laid out, the production takes a sudden turn. The track flips into a more aggressive, electronic-heavy, and distorted atmosphere, produced by Sidharth Gupta (a member of the New Delhi band Green Park). This shift in production brings in JBABE, who leans into the perspective of a weary worshipper, screaming 'God isn’t for ya,' and suggesting that the world’s recent turmoil is a form of divine punishment.
As the track draws to a close, Dohnraj repeatedly sings “love is always only making things fine” , offering a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos depicted throughout the song.
Overall, this track delivers a powerful performance from the artists and does an excellent job of presenting the theme for the album, heightening my excitement for the project.
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