A quick glance at Damini Bhatla‘s online presence reveals a growing career and a large audience passionate about her music. If you are new to the project, Bhatla can be considered one of the best things to emerge from South India’s music scene, with the talented vocalist rallying unwavering support from the likes of Rolling Stone India, The Statesmen and Indulge Express, among others. ‘GOLD’ is Damini’s latest album, an eight-track marvel that showcases all that the project has to offer.
The listening experience is impressively sumptuous, a hypnotic aural journey that blends South Indian music culture and contemporary Western R&B. This results in a record that feels fresh and boundary-pushing, but also plenty familiar and relatable. Damini Bhatla’s evocative vocals help tie it all together, especially thanks to their angelic, hazy tone and the overarching meaningful lyrical picture. Packed with introspection and honesty, ‘GOLD reflects on sisterhood, sensuality, heartbreak, and trauma, among other themes.
Delving deeper into the creative ethos that propels the album, Bhatla explains: “Two years ago, it started with an idea of self-discovery, stemming from a difficult time in life and drawing inspiration from women artists and the women around me. I had a vivid imagination of liquid gold in my mind while ideating and saw parallels between ‘GOLD’ and a woman’s journey. A woman is not just born. A woman is made. Melted down, mixed with other metals, hammered, shaped, polished, valued, and becomes precious.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Gold’ now: