Maryland-based award-winning composer and visual artist Rahul Mukerji has become renowned for his unique fusion of world music, rock, jazz and cinematic sound design. The India-born creative notes over two decades of experience immersed in music, and as such, his balancing of unique artistry and skilful wisdom shines brightly.
On that note, the new single Dushtan is a mighty and beautiful testament to both his extensive body of work, and his distinct cultural and stylistic culmination.
Featuring soaring distorted guitars and an instantly compelling, fascinating fusion of Eastern and Western tones, Dushtan moves from Asian melodic fragments to something more like progressive rock, but continues to push the boundaries of expectation throughout over four minutes of composition.
It’s an exciting arrangement, a strong groove adding darkness and mood, thoughtfulness, before the free-flowing guitar solo takes us on an adventure both soulful and distinct.
To my knowledge, there aren’t many, if any, examples of such a precise and notable fusion of cultures within the rock and metal genre. The Asian melodic style and rhythm reappears during the third minute of the track, and falls away again afterwards, for that prog-metal drone of grunge to recapture the mellow intensity and haze.
It’s brilliantly creative, and seamlessly structured for impact. Even the rhythms, and the oriental string-like tones of the final third, continue to build upon this world-music, epic intention and aura. Dushtan is awesomely enthralling, and unmistakable once it’s crossed your path – a hard accomplishment to achieve with instrumental guitar music, but one that Rahul Mukerji seems naturally predisposed to.
With Leo Margarit on drums, the catchy riffs return, the knees-up Celtic vibe and strings backed by heavy distortion, bass and rhythm, for a closing section that’s addictively uplifting, dark, and stylish all at once. It’s a huge finish, somewhat colourful, unexpected, and perfectly in keeping with the creative fluidity and world music aura of Dushtan on the whole.
“The track name finds its roots in playful office banter. Dushtan, which means “Rogue” or mischievous in Malayalam is a composition that captures the energetic playful camaraderie in a high paced office environment.”
Find Rahul Mukerji on Facebook, Instagram, Apple & his Website.
