Arjun Kanungo on Having a Vision for Indian Pop on 'Industry2' and Foraying Into Japan
RollingStone India|August 2023
The singer, composer and producer's second album sees him collaborate with Japanese rapper Cyber Rui, plus singer-songwriter Shirley Setia and pop artist Zaeden
ANURAG TAGAT
Arjun Kanungo on Having a Vision for Indian Pop on 'Industry2' and Foraying Into Japan

Just as we start our video chat with pop artist Arjun Kanungo in Mumbai, his poodle Kyubi jumps in the frame for attention, only to be pleaded off his lap with a laugh and an apology. The Mumbai-raised artist has just released his second album Industry2 – obviously, a sequel to his 2022 album Industry – as a means to do his own thing after years of making moves that advanced his career as a mainstream singer in India.

With the eight-track album, it’s the first time Kanungo went against current release norms and released two singles – The Weeknd-esque neon Hindi funky pop song “Danger” and the wistful synth-pop duet with Shirley Setia on “Sach Bata Mujhe” – and then put out the full record. Even while swimming against the tide, Kanungo did play it safe by releasing two lead singles which were fully in the realm of commercial pop. “Because I have noticed that while fans appreciate certain types of songs, I think the regular pop songs are the ones that really penetrate and kind of are able to travel,” he adds.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 2023 من RollingStone India.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 2023 من RollingStone India.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من ROLLINGSTONE INDIA مشاهدة الكل
DANCE-FLOOR BLISS AND THE SEARCH FOR (POST-) HUMAN CONNECTION
RollingStone India

DANCE-FLOOR BLISS AND THE SEARCH FOR (POST-) HUMAN CONNECTION

Over the course of roughly a decade, CARIBOU, the electronic-leaning project from Canadian musician and composer Dan Snaith, has released intricate, sonically inventive records that cradle rhythm and history. On \"Home,\" from 2020's Suddenly, he coos softly alongside a frenetic flip of Gloria Barnes' 1971 single of the same name. There, the subtle cracks and gestures in his voice manage to breathe life into the digitally-manipulated sample. Caribou's music has so far thrived on this quality — Snaith's seemingly boundless musical curiosity and his ability to crystalize big ideas into euphoric moments of dance-floor bliss. It's why his choice to use artificial intelligence on his vocals for his latest album, Honey, feels like a misstep. Here, Snaith's voice is transformed in character and identity, at times creating revelatory moments, like on \"Come Find Me,\" where he's reimagined as a treacly-toned young woman, though in small enough doses for it to work. Elsewhere, like on the rap-adjacent \"Campfire,\" where Snaith renders himself as the sort of rapper you might hear on a Caribou track (think Definitive Jux vibes), the concept breaks down.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Get Closer: The Intimate Gaze of Films at NYFF62
RollingStone India

Get Closer: The Intimate Gaze of Films at NYFF62

A second intimacy arises between our lives and those unfolding on screen... and in setting their sights on exploring ordinary lives at close range, filmmakers at this year's New York Film Festival deepened that intimacy to great effect

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2024
Meet the Women DJs Shaping Global EDM
RollingStone India

Meet the Women DJs Shaping Global EDM

For years, men have led the electronic dance music (EDM) scene, but lately, women DJs have been shaking things up in every sense. These talented artists aren't just challenging gender norms—they're redefining the art of music production and live performance. With fresh styles and creativity, they're leaving a lasting impact on the EDM world, proving that the future of dance music is vibrant, inclusive, and thrilling.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Is India's Music Festival Season : Privilege Only Few Can Afford?
RollingStone India

Is India's Music Festival Season : Privilege Only Few Can Afford?

With soaring ticket prices, are Inda's music festivals slipping out of reach for the average fan?

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Unpacking the Excitement and Inspiration of SXSW Sydney
RollingStone India

Unpacking the Excitement and Inspiration of SXSW Sydney

The festival underscored the essential role of music as a universal language shaped by local culture

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
How Earthgang Fought the Algorithm and Won
RollingStone India

How Earthgang Fought the Algorithm and Won

Atlanta duo discuss their new album, Perfect Fantasy, working with Pharrell and Snoop, and staying independent

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2024
Foster The People: 'Fame can literally shorten your life-it's intense, and it gets in your head'
RollingStone India

Foster The People: 'Fame can literally shorten your life-it's intense, and it gets in your head'

We caught up with the iconic indiepop icon Mark Foster to talk 2024's Paradise State of Mind, creative influences, and the personal journey of an artist

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2024
Everything Everything on Their India Debut and Writing 'Emotionally Interesting Music
RollingStone India

Everything Everything on Their India Debut and Writing 'Emotionally Interesting Music

British art-rock band's vocalist-guitarist Jonathan Higgs talks about performing at Bandland 2024 in Bengaluru and having die-hard fans who'll talk to them about politics as well as personal stories

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
INDIA'S HIP HOP MOVEMENT GAINS MOMENTUM
RollingStone India

INDIA'S HIP HOP MOVEMENT GAINS MOMENTUM

SPOTIFY IS PUTTING INDIA'S DIVERSE HIP-HOP VOICES AND REAL STORIES IN THE SPOTLIGHT

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
TINASHE 'I'VE BEEN IN THE GAME 10 YEARS.I'M NOT NEW TO THIS.I'M TRUE TO THIS'
RollingStone India

TINASHE 'I'VE BEEN IN THE GAME 10 YEARS.I'M NOT NEW TO THIS.I'M TRUE TO THIS'

The singer reached a new peak when her song ‘Nasty’ went wildly viral. Now, Tinashe is energized and ready for more

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024