Parmy Dhillon is a musician who produces work as a solo artist and as the lead vocalist of his band. Self-admittedly inspired by artists like Tom Petty and Bob Dylan, the singer aims to include narratives and social commentary in his work. He has been releasing music since 2008 and has built up an extensive discography of singles, Eps and albums. The latest single “India” is a genre-blending addition to his discography.
“India” starts off with sombre strings that build a foundation and set up the track. Many instruments in the production such as the flute and some elements of the percussion like the dholak uses sounds from South Asia which brings in a sense of authenticity. These sonic elements lean towards folk and remind one of the Indian country side. The vocals by Parmy Dhillon with its twangy tones have American country inflections and the acoustic guitar and the clappy percussion emphasise this heavily. The classical strings and synth also bring in a Western touch.
The track’s lyrics serve as an ode to India, the country where the singer’s heart belongs. While some of the lines like “Run with a buffalo” can feel misinformed and dated, the song manages to bring legitimacy with its use of hindi in lines like “Ek Do Teen Chaar, Chalo Chalo Jaldi Kar”. It goes on to describe India’s rivers, waterfalls and beauty in its search for ancestry.
“India” is a fusion of two completely different genres that are rarely brought together. Make sure to check out this interesting combination here: