Gumbal from Mumbai, India are somewhat of a wildcard in the Indian rock and metal scene right now. Started as a two-piece electro-acoustic act by Arjun Iyer and Satish Sridhar in 2014, these brave new experimentalists have been evolving with an intriguing uncertainty with each new album, marking the Indian alternative rock idiom in the lines of earlier riff-merchants like Another Vertigo Rush and The Circus.

From the alt-space rock of their debut EP, A For (2014), the mutant Tool-Alice In Chains-Soundgarden hybrid throughout the crunching Armstrong's List (2018), to the brooding downtempo electronica of their latest singles Resurface and Going Home, the duo have been constantly reinventing themselves. From what we have heard of late, their yet-to-be-released album Songs From The Muck, has been conceived and produced entirely during the quarantine.

The first single Resurface builds on a trip hop-py groove, held up by a hypnotic bassline that gets the head popping while the melodies play and veer off.

On the two singles, the duo displays a mature poetic sensibility and sombre moods using a heady mix of electronic samples, drums, bass, and searching melodies to explore the questions, ironies, and sabotaged narratives that surround us in these pandemic times. The first single Resurface builds on a trip hop-py groove, held up by a hypnotic bassline that gets the head popping while the melodies play and veer off. It is sure to turn heads when an electronic sample of (Narendra) Modi’s spoken words play out - a demagogue-style speech loaded with braggadocio addressed to the nation. It adds an apocalyptic and prophetic feel to the sombre mood and drama that the sonics create.

The second single Going Home features a jaunty, folksy melody running over tinkly keys while telling tales of the grim quandary of India’s migrant workers, their fears and dilemmas in the wake of the lockdown, and the extraordinary actions of these people. Like the Odisha youth who cycled 1700-km all the way from Maharashtra to his home after lockdown restrictions closed all public transport. Compelling stuff, I must say.

I couldn’t help wondering if the new album would feature more guitars, as I found myself imagining heavy guitars in certain parts on the song, and felt they could’ve lent a darker mood (Nine Inch Nails, fancy much?)

It would be interesting to see what the entire album has in store for listeners, and how they straddle the urgency of honest rock with the light/dark elements of electronica. One thing though - I couldn’t help wondering if the new album would feature more guitars, as I found myself imagining heavy guitars in certain parts on the songs, and felt they could’ve lent a darker mood (Nine Inch Nails, fancy much?). I might’ve liked their previous album a tad more (Here I would encourage you to lend an ear to Rocks Remember from Armstrong’s List), but well, I guess we’ll have to wait for Gumbal to surprise us, once more. 

The writer is an opinionated geezer with love for music, beer, pot, art, tattoos and explorations. He believes life wouldn't be the same without Led Zeppelin or the warmth of sunshine, people and tube amps.