During the pandemic, when many people found themselves isolated and searching for a renewed sense of purpose, Rahul Mukerji began work on Mridhangit. The project provided Rahul with a constructive creative focus during a period of uncertainty while also creating an opportunity to connect and collaborate with musicians from around the world. Mridhangit features contributions from thirteen musicians, bringing together a diverse range of perspectives, backgrounds and musical talents. Notable collaborators include Praveen Sparsh, a prominent mridangam artist within the Indian classical music community; Leo Margarit, a southern France-born, Sweden-based drummer and member of the acclaimed progressive metal band Pain of Salvation; Ruben Rubio, an accomplished bassist from Spain recognised for his versatility; and Chaplin from South Africa, an accomplished pianist particularly known for creating beautifully evocative tonal moods. The international line-up is complemented by a number of talented local musicians. The title Mridhangit reflects the collaborative character of Rahul Mukerji’s project, combining the words mridangam, handpan and guitar. These three instruments represent the album’s fusion of musical styles, cultures and influences. The process of assembling tracks from musicians across the globe, with ideas, performances and arrangements exchanged remotely, demonstrates the adaptability, creativity and commitment of everyone involved. The album […]
Jade Ring Crafts a Dark, Dreamlike Soundscape on Pills
Jade Ring steps into the spotlight with Pills, a bold and unconventional concept album that unfolds like a surreal audio film. Opening with an answering machine before spiralling into a futuristic, dreamlike narrative, the project blends fantasy, experimental storytelling, and genre-shifting sound design into one immersive experience. There is a theatrical, almost Willy Wonka-style sense of discovery as the album reveals itself, balancing bizarre creativity with a clear artistic statement: this is entirely human-made. The result is a striking, bilingual journey that moves from jazzy, operatic textures into explosive alternative rock and dark, gothic atmospheres, creating a late-night listening experience that feels both disorienting and deeply compelling. Jade Ring’s debut album Pills, arriving March 15, 2026, is a five-track, 30-minute concept project crafted to be experienced as a single continuous journey. Structured around three central pieces, Brash, Coral, and Ghost Machine, the album flows through shifting sonic landscapes, from late 90s-inspired alternative rock and disco-infused rhythms to operatic vocal layers, electronic textures, and cinematic spoken word interludes. The result is a genre-blending, avant-garde sound that feels more like a film than a traditional record. At its core, Pills explores heavy themes including addiction, mental health, identity, automation, and the growing […]