EP Review/ Psychedelic Rock : Anupam Shobhakar’s ‘Liquid Reality’

Anupam Shobhakar is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and musician from India. He brings experiment and exploration to traditional music. The themes that he explores are drawn from the Indian ethos, like Gods, mythology, philosophy, nature, contemplation, and psychedelia. Approaching them from a deep, dimensional, and diverse lens, he musically speculates on them. His latest release is the ‘Liquid Reality’ EP, a collection that not only shows off his cerebral style but also reveals his sophistication, his ideas, and his refinement as an artist. 

The EP floods Hindustani and Carnatic music styles with psychedelic rock progressions in ways that change the reality of what you’re hearing. It’s so creative and compellingly so. With each track, he presents a scene, one that keeps expanding as you progress through the track. He plays and it all opens up, unravels and gives you more. So much so that you never want to stop listening. 

‘Anjaneya’ opens the EP, a track named after the Indian God of loyalty, strength, perseverance, and courage. The track features electric Veena features, spoken percussion, and a wandering guitar line. The introduction invites us into the overall space and ethos of the theme. And then the electric guitar plays come on, striking, capturing and fantastical. He drives it to the edge, to the very far end, pushing it to a point where the speed, improv, and playing liquifies the theme, the space, and your reality. We see this in most tracks, especially ‘Hey Ghalib’ and ‘La Danse Du Bonheur’. That connection of traditional and psychedelic alongside the power and pressure. It’s tremendous. 

In ‘Ladders to the Sky’, we see elements of jazz and blues. That theme of improv, going with the flow is preserved. But it is changed and pushed in a whole different direction. It is pleasant, radiant and playful. If you’re in the mood to contemplate till you arrive at elation, this is the song for you. His skill, even with this kind of writing style, is wondrous. Such a fine hand and a creative spirit. Add confident strokes and a claimed authenticity and you’ve got yourself a Big Bang on your hands. 

On the other hand, if you’re in the mood for a ripping guitar line that flows through wild and fantastical landscapes, then the track ‘Fallen Leaves’ is where you need to be. ‘Home’ is more of a deep and passionate song, with complex variations and dimensions. It takes you back in time, flushes you into a reflective space, and leads you to find what home means to you. Listen Now! 

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The album is available for streaming on popular sites like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music!

You can listen to ‘Liquid Reality’ by Anupam Shobhakar here -