Photo by Raghav Pasricha
Midival Punditz have shared an album after a five-year hiatus, entitled Love & Machines. In it, the duo brings thirteen tracks that blend fierce electronic production with the textures of traditional Indian music. From the opener alone, the pair lay out their musical manifesto: love, positivity and technical excellence.
The synthesiser frequencies are often like energetic cells, desperately moving under a refined melodic performance that adapts the traditional Indian soundscapes to this futuristic new world, whether that be instrumental or vocal.
Languages include Hindi, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Bengali, and Urdu, but the innovation on show transcends the language barrier. Plenty of tracks also lean into more contemporary soundscapes, with energised breakbeats or twinkling arpeggios emerging from the backdrop.
The duo adds, “The title ‘Love & Machines’ refers to the soul of the Punditz sound. It’s a sound that resonates with love and positivity. It’s about the soul of ancient and traditional Indian Music and how it melts into the contemporary sounds of the modern world.”
Midival Punditz, made up of Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj, have long been seen as pioneers of Indian electronic music. First releasing music in the early two thousands, they’ve pushed the boundaries and built a global following. Their work has appeared in films, on television, and on international stages.
Listen to the album here:
