Dusk Notes

Drawing upon synaesthesia and dusk ragas, Dusk Notes is Mumbai-born Nagarajan's debut album made in collaboration with sound artist Duncan Chapman. It is an intriguing fusion of Karnatic singing and Brian Eno-esque ambient synths. The scene is set with ‘Earth’, a poem underpinned by a soothing monsoon soundscape. Nagarajan narrates the storm, the time of day, and associated emotions in what could be the verbal illustration of a ragamala painting (visualisation of a raga). Another poem, ‘Gossip’, marks the mid-point of the album, while the rest of the album consists of unmetered songs in which a wall of synth pads takes the place of tambura as a drone. The standout track of the album, ‘On the Banks of the Jamuna’, starts with a bass flute introduction before the voice comes in, ‘Jamuna Kinare' (Banks of the Jamuna), wistfully singing of the thoughts and associations that come to mind.

Listeners familiar with Indian music should treat this not as a classical performance, but rather as an experimental recording. This may provide an accessible introduction to a Karnatic sound-world for listeners who are familiar with ambient music.

NB This review was amended on February 23 2021 to clarify that Nagarajan is a Karnatic, not Hindustani, singer and the instrument featured was a bass flute, rather than a bansuri.