Light

Midival Punditz consist of Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj, the pioneering electronica artists who have been described as ‘India's Chemical Brothers.’ They are at their best when their Indian roots take centre stage and, sure enough, it is the guest vocalists on Light that allow the duo to truly shine. The title-track is perfectly listenable, but it is the collaborations on this new album that are exceptional. Vocalists Malini Awasthi and the legendary Papon duet on the anthemic ‘Nadia’ while Kutle Khan, an irrepressible multi-instrumentalist from Rajasthan, stands out on ‘Echoes’ and ‘Baanwarey’.

Folk, rather than classical, vocals predominate, set to rock-based instrumentation in a deviation from the group's trademark electronica sound, which is nevertheless occasionally discernible. However, deviation from the norm is exactly what fans have come to expect. With long, cinematic pieces leading into one another, the album is less fast-paced than earlier work but their capacity for innovative fusion is as apparent as ever – this development is a reassuring sign that Midival Punditz remain determined to push boundaries. Light might be less popular than previous albums in the clubs, but it is sure to broaden their fanbase considerably.