Ten Creative Releases Of 2023

By Mannu Shahi

With 2023 over, we mark the third year-end since we started using this space to celebrate the brilliance illustrated by independent artists in the Nepali music scene. Across genres, genders, ages and industries, the list prompts from the acts raising the creative bar whilst pursuing their relentless drive with or without external validations. 

In introspect, this third edition seems to reinforce a slight change in the analysing ritual with my maturing appetite for refined catchy-melodic compositions. As someone who is always drawn towards complex oeuvres, distinct timbres and eccentric structures; this year my abated liberation gathered a plethora of songs from these incredibly exalting musicians, which made this task of finalizing just ten publications from the entire year more draining than ever.         

However, these hand-picked ten tunes secured their positions because of their significant musical ventures, ethical artistry and their palatable creative brands. Although generally, this column is dedicated towards encouraging rather isolated yet potent releases in a laid-back music-consuming culture like that of Nepal. This piece specifically enhances this admiration further and exclaims these creators for forging in this less-rewarding path just out of their sheer love for manifesting idiosyncratic music. 

Obviously, I am also not entitling this list as the “best representation” of music publications this annum, but rather as my personal selection venerating the most ingenious musical ventures. And without further ado, here is my list of ten creative releases of 2023 in an alphabetical order:     

Brihat Pahari - Bihibar

Amidst these ten songs which were a bit hard to finalize, two singles clicked for me from the very first listen: Jhuma Limbu’s ‘Bauju’ and this stellar-tune ‘Bihibar’. Premiered on December 2, 2023, the main guitar riff enamored my heart right away and ‘Bihibar’ with its progressive-indie-folk sound effortlessly lured its way into my playlist. Composed, arranged, recorded and produced by Brihat Pahari in his home studio - Paintbox Studios; the song features Shaurav Bhattarai as the co-lyricist and Chhitij KC on drums. An amalgamation of outstanding lyrics writing, great guitar works, impressive production and arrangement skills, the tune parades the new Nepali sound and leaves us wanting for more from this promising visionary.     

Chepang - Bid 

The US-based Nepali immigrindcore collective Chepang released their critically acclaimed 29-tracks LP “Swatta” on July 7, 2023. A conceptual album based on the Japanese concept ‘Ikagai’, a state of wellbeing that arises with devotion to activities that one enjoys and gains a sense of fulfillment from. The 11th number from the album, ‘Bid’ is my favorite for its complex rhythmic explorations, sturdy riffs and demonic overtones. This instrumental piece set in a progressive structure experiment with various melodic frequencies to emit an inventive and dynamic sonic palate. The LP in Bandcamp, a streaming platform, alone has sold nearly 250 copies (which rarely happens to Nepali musicians) impressing a range of heavy music enthusiasts on a global scale.     

Jhuma Limbu - Bauju

Released on June 30, 2023, ‘Bauju’ is a tune based on the Deuda melody of far-western Nepal, the song is curated by Dikra Badi; music produced and arranged by Ganga Thapa; additional melodic contributions by Jhuma Limbu; lyrics by Harka Saud and Hemant Biswas. This melodic collaboration is a quintessential execution of Nepali folk fused with world music elements. The song exudes a formidable impression from the very start and does not disappoint as the plot transpires. Furthermore, ‘Bauju’ features instrumentalists Anudwatt Dhakal (bass), Shambhu Baniya and Sundar Kumar Maharjan (percussion), Veecheet Dhakal (violin), Manice Gandharba (sarangi) and Bishwo Shahi (mix/ master). The groovy bass foundation, desert rock inspired guitar solos and counterpoints, the fiddle ornamentations, massive percussive works are my top highlights from the tune.  

John Chamling Rai - Farkanna Hola

The most commercial release in the list is this serenading single ‘Farkanna Hola’ by John Chamling Rai published on October 13, 2023. The soulful singer comprehends this innate songwriting ability capable of resonating to colossal masses. Throughout the song, lyrical references from his influence Bartika Eam Rai can be traced, yet the melodic brilliance and the structural elaboration in the composition creates a firm contrast. Featuring Tunna Bell Thapa on arrangement and audio production, Bishal Chhetri on acoustic guitars and Manish Gandharva on sarangi. This tune makes the list for its effortless catchy potential, as without intense embellishments the message is well-expressed and genuinely assimilated.    

OutControlJoys - These Wavves

OutControlJoys are a shoegaze/ dream pop trio comprising of Sareena Rai on bass, Samn Gurung on guitars/ vocals and Prashant Bajracharya on drums. The group released their 6-tracks sophomore EP: “Unturn” on January 9, 2023 via Bandcamp; written, recorded and produced by the band themselves. The fifth song in the collection, ‘These Wavves’ yields the most relaxing and laid-back feeling in my opinion. Deriving the treasure in minimal spontaneous structures, this ambient listen embraces the audience in a cozy nestle radiating feelings of hope and optimism. The melancholic album ventilates emotions of failure, hopelessness and the will to oppose these notions by sentiments of love, nostalgia and joy.   

Rachana Dahal - Hey Bhagwan

Rachana Dahal is undoubtedly one of the finest songwriters and most vulnerable performers of the country. Every facet of the songstress including her vision, her poignant songwriting, emotional articulation and eccentric musical ventures confirm her stance further as this unique musical phenomenon blessing the Nepali music scene with her presence. ‘Hey Bhagwan’ officially released on August 25, 2023 via her YouTube handle is just the correct example demonstrating the singer’s intricate writing caliber and musicality. This impactful arrangement elevating the entire composition is fabricated, recorded and produced by long-time collaborator Firoj Bajaracharya (Jyoti Records). Although most of her songs are just as brilliant, but ‘Hey Bhagwan’ in particular possesses this astounding characteristic that is a rare find in this superficial realm. Lyrically, this somber art-pop tune dwells in the dark corners of one’s thought-patterns whilst simultaneously critiquing the absurdness of some universal ideologies.         

Rajesh Nepali - Paramour

‘Paramour’ is the fifth track from Rajesh Nepali’s debut album “Echo House” that was published via his YouTube channel on June 1, 2023. Composed, arranged, produced and recorded by Rajesh Nepali, the song is mixed and mastered by Thajville. After years of hustling as an independent creator and publishing multiple singles and collaborative work, the singer mustered some of his older publications and new compositions together and produced this ingenious masterpiece. The entire album justifies his protean singing ability and also his finesse in music arrangement and multi-instrumentation. ‘Paramour’ lyrically is dealing with the notions of mortality and the anxiety surrounding life’s impermanence. Loved the piano and bass works, layered vocal harmonies, the steady beat and the outstanding virtual lute section arriving mid-way through the song.    

R.O.T.I. – 436 (live) 

Revenge Of The Invisibles (R.O.T.I.) is a progressive experimental quartet comprising Bikash (Rahu) Rana on vocals and guitars, Deepak Shakya on bass, Girish Shrestha on guitars and Sarin Bajracharya on drums. Encapsulating the true essence of an underground project from every aspect, R.O.T.I. hardly releases their music in the digital platforms and chooses to root their creativity in the humble settings of their jam room and live shows. However, this year Svana Studio Session Season 3 in their attempt to uplift the underground scene, convinced the super-group to partake in their live sessions. And the result is this vigorous take of live music unlike any other Nepali modern sound among which the initial song ‘436’ engrosses my attention the most during each listen. Premiering on February 25, 2023, the arduous melodic structure, the odd-metric pulse, the transcending guitar works, the well-executed breaks all work in favor to create this prog-rock/ rap metal influenced tune a significant composition. 

Strangle - Sab Jhuto 

From their self-titled third album, ‘Sab Jhuto’ was officially published on December 30, 2023 via Strangle’s YouTube channel. A sludgy punk tune that well exhibits odd meter and complementing rhythmic subdivisions, this song stood out the most for me from their 8-tracks collection. Strangle are a hardcore quartet based in Lalitpur, devoted towards refining their musicianship and self-expression through angry loud music for over a decade. The tune exhibits the acute prowess of all four band members: Ashish Kayastha (guitars), Dipesh Joshi (drums), Bibek Tamang (bass) and Santosh Shrestha (vocals). The slower instrumental first-half gradually escalates to a faster mid-section and descends back to the sludgy feel as the vocal arrives creating an intense arc that makes the tune a remarkable accomplishment. 

The Phoenix Mob - Andaaz

Honestly, I stumbled upon The Phoenix Mob only while curating this list and the group instantly caught my attention with their appealing music. Their debut EP “Rising Through The Ashes” released via Skathi Records official YouTube handle surfaced the digital realms on September 4, 2023. Produced, mixed and mastered by Ktm Souljah, the 7-tracks extended play is a propitious endeavor. ‘Andaaz’ is the final track from the album and the most intriguing one in my opinion for its fast-paced verses, aggressive enunciation, spooky arrangement and flattering outro decline. The group comprises six members: Rage, Nemesis, Error, Ofake, 666 and Rome; being the largest hip-hop outfit to exist in a Nepali context.