“Music has no boundaries!” Well, this quote applies not only to musicians but also to listeners because unless you come out of your bubble of preconceived notions and try something fresh and new, how do you know whether you like it or not? In the same context, we urge all listeners, music enthusiasts, and sonic explorers to forget about everything and try out the latest debut album of the Amyt Datta Electric Power Quartet, Electric.
Tracing its origins to Kolkata, India, the band is led by the country’s best and finest legendary guitarist and composer, Amyt Datta. Some of the most phenomenal musicians from the city join forces with him to shape this quartet, and they are the incredibly dynamic Sambit Chatterjee on drums, the groovy powerhouse Aakash Ganguly on bass, and the amazingly versatile Samrat Mukherjee on keys and synth. In their latest album, Electric, this rather unquestionably electrifying ensemble brings a brilliant set of thrilling, soul-stirring compositions that will surely take the listeners on a sonic ride where the journey is far beyond the ordinary in terms of music.
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Let us give you a sneak peek at the sonic surprises that will unfold as you listen to the songs of Electric!
Amyt Datta Electric Power Quartet’s latest album consists of eight tracks, seven of which are redefined versions of songs from his previous albums that showcase the evolution of his innovative artistry, such as Ambiance De Danse (2013), Pietra Dura (2015), Amino Acid (2016), Red Plant (2021), along with one new composition.
The opening song, Introit, is the perfect start to the album. It sets the mood and draws you into the music almost in an instant, and as it keeps moving forward, you cannot help but lose yourself in it completely. Red Plant is the track that follows, and it boasts a beautifully composed yet chaotic vibe with much aggression and intense emotional oscillation that goes on to show the band’s versatility and musicality.
The next song, Stain, starts on a rather eerie, bone-chilling note. As the song progresses, you realize that this beginning section is just the calm before the sonic storm that the band gradually whips up. Besides that, several moments of suspense intrigue the listeners, who become curious as to what’s about to come next, and the band successfully creates an experience that feels like a ride through the very depths of sonic wilderness in this song.
Black Pages, the fourth track, is an instant mood-changer with one of the most infectious grooves you will ever hear. Over the funky rhythm section, where the bass and drums lay a solid foundation, the quirky fillers of the synth complement the guitar with such flawless perfection that it sings out, beautifully cutting through the mix. You really cannot resist grooving to the track yet paying close attention to the melodic hooks of the composition.
A deeper dive into the soundscape of ADEPQ!
The following track, Erraticus, is nothing short of an experience because its crux lies in its unpredictability, uncertainty, and erratic quality of the composition. Still, it all comes back together with the hook riff, and it feels like the song portrays the reality of life where change is unavoidably the only constant and stability is hard to find. But then again, that’s the fun because it keeps away the mundane and makes it all even more exciting.
The next and fifth song of the album is the remarkably dexterous Ironic Bironic, a composition that keeps you on your toes. All you need to do is hold tight, ride along, and see where it takes you because it is an all-in-all experience. Pulse is the title of the following track, and it is filled with some spacey, psychedelic sections that make you fall into a labyrinth of sonic twists and turns that lead you deeper into the hypnotic trance of the composition.
The album concludes with Dark City, the only new track that has never been a part of Amyt Datta’s previous albums, unlike the others. As the title suggests, this song outstandingly portrays the two sides of a big city in the sense that it juggles between the glitz and charms of a city on the surface level and the nefarious undercurrents that take place under the shade of darkness. The powerful and aggressive riff, the roar of the guitar over the groovy rhythm section, and the bright and vibrant synth elements make this composition stand out in the album.
We were lucky to speak to Amyt Datta. He was kind enough to share insights about the debut album. So, let’s see what he has to say about it!
1) Hello Sir! Firstly, the new album is outstanding and hooks the listeners from start to finish. So before we get into some details about the album itself, can you take us through the inception of the band? How did you devise the idea of forming it with these phenomenal musicians, and the journey of the quartet so far?
When you listen to a musician, you observe their qualities and strengths. So, the attempt is to fit those qualities into the music in an artistic way.
2) Since you are the sole writer and composer of these tracks, we would like to know your process of writing the tunes on this album. Do the visualizations and emotions you have drive your compositions, or do the compositions gradually shape up your visualizations and emotions?
Well, mostly, the ‘mechanics of music’ offer some magical devices as hidden gifts and a real musician should be able to identify that, and with a little bit of imagination, ideas can emerge. Sometimes, just a title of a tune can trigger a great pathway to a composition, but then it is also a process of writing, repairing, repeating, rewriting, etc., before a piece is satisfactory.
The album’s recording process and Amyt Datta’s outlook on the final results!
3) Please walk us through the production process of this album. How has the recording experience been for ADEPQ?
For me, it is always serious fun, whether it’s recording in a studio or live. With this bunch of competent musicians, it was on track pretty soon, of course, after a few discussions regarding the approach and the overall sonic parameter. But, as I mentioned earlier, I could almost hear the end result since I was aware of these musicians’ calibre.
4) While writing these songs, did you have an initial idea of how you wanted them to sound as a whole set in the album? If so, is the final product closely similar to that or something different? What do you think?
These tunes always had the potential to be presented as ‘high-voltage electric versions.’ Sambit, the drummer, has that muscle power, with bassist Aakash pushing the propulsion forward and Samrat, with his keys explaining the harmonic sophistication. My guitar gently wove the melodies and improvised on top of the fiery rhythm section. Yes, it’s pretty much what I had in mind!
Read what the maestro has to say about the system’s lack of support and his valuable message to all budding musicians!
5) What does the future look like for Amyt Datta Electric Power Quartet? An upcoming tour for this album, or will you start working on the next record?
In theory, and ideally, this band should be able to travel and perform extensively at all the suitable festivals and venues. But an experienced and honest description of the reality seems to be a ‘broken dream’, and seems quite the opposite and pessimistic, sadly without any real support from the system.
6) Finally, what would you like to say to the budding musicians today who aspire to make music entirely for their unconditional love and passion for the subject? Any words of wisdom for them?
Unconditional love and commitment to one’s art are profound ways to go through life and require complete surrender. But often, reality doesn’t allow it, and young musicians are aware of this fact. I hope that they play and learn music for the sake of music and not cater to the populous (sometimes distasteful) rubbish. Pursuing real Art will always be difficult, especially when it is of a serious kind, but the mantra is to be compassionate and carry on!
To stay up-to-date with Amyt Datta Electric Power Quartet’s musical journey, follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
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So now that you know a little something about what you can expect from the debut album by Amyt Datta Electric Power Quartet, you must go and check it out. You can listen to the tracks here:
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