Parekh & Singh - Ocean

2016 release. Parekh & Singh are a pop duo from Kolkata, India. Nischay Parekh sings, plays guitar, keyboards and synths. Jivraj Singh plays drums, drum machines and effects. While their name might recall a small firm of accountants - by day Jivraj keeps books at the family hotel and Nischay keeps accounts for his father's business - these office dreamers have conjured nine glowing tracks of cosmic pop that shimmer like an Indian sunset. The infectious and melodic opener 'I Love You Baby' charts the agony and the ecstasy of uncertain young love and 'Me and You' offers a carefree paean to youthful innocence rarely heard in these times. The swelling production of title track 'Ocean' ebbs and flows between staying put or setting sail for open seas. Animals populate their imaginations - they often think of themselves as street dogs - and the paintings of Yashasvi Mathis that grace the cover. The sun casts dark shadows. While undeniably sun-kissed, a darkness lurks within that reflects the contradictory nature of this somewhat eccentric duo. Innocence is tempered by experience. Parekh & Singh's easy way with each other and the dreamy languor that pervades their music belies the dedication of two talented musicians, both immersed in music from an early age. While many influences can be detected across it's nine tracks - the cracked beauty of Secrets is dusted with a distinctly Americana feel for instance - Ocean is the fresh new sound of India. A timeless pop masterpiece in the making.