Songs from the Temple

Singer and dance artist Bageshree Vaze’s eclectic new release is a mixed affair, though fans of Hindustani music will find soul and passion in the opening track, ‘Oh Piya’ – this album’s peak. Yearning, impassioned, sighing vocals hover effortlessly over a constant bed of tabla, electronics and piano. Harmonically simple, gorgeous moments like these occur throughout the album and act as an aural love letter to the St. John’s Hindu Temple where Vaze learnt music and dance. ‘Lucknow Dreams’ continues the sublime odyssey with some ecstatic padhant. Yet, the album takes a strange twist halfway, falling static before penultimate track ‘Roshani’ abruptly begins with rap lyrics such as ‘Put your hands / put your hands up’ – the journey to enlightenment skidding to a halt. Intentions were for pop, yet it’s an odd plot twist. Final track ‘O Mere Sanam’ has an almost Europop old-school 4-4 drum kick and electronics, completely nulling any residual ecstasy.