Mental health and sound are often intertwined. Both genre and region-wise, the sound healing industry is evolving, with upcoming artists carving distinct niches. Packed with mindfulness and transcendental beats, these songs go beyond just sonic pauses on your playlist, offering momentary pockets of relief, euphoria, and relaxation. On World Mental Health Day, Rolling Stone India curates a list of tracks ranging from plant sounds to folk healing that are equal parts soothing, therapeutic, and experimental.
ShiShi: “Aham Brahmasmi”
ShiShi’s track “Aham Brahmasmi,” from his nine-part album Indigo, begins with momentary bouts of silence before plunging into a hypnotic harmonium crescendo. Each note lingers and sustains, as if it is meant to occupy the space. Reminiscent of Lifafa’s “Bewafa Hai Ghadi,” it lets you breathe, take off the load, and indulge in the present guilt-free. In those three minutes, even without lyrics, a range of emotions is conveyed.
Rishab Rikhiram Sharma: “The Burning Ghat”
An amalgamation of poignant sitar strings, “The Burning Ghat” builds anticipation at its own pace, keeping the listener engaged throughout. Even with the initial calm tempo, the overlay of aalaps and synth-infused beats ends the track on a valiant note. A tribute to the revered Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, Sharma pays homage to the eternal flame of liberation, or moksha. Sharma is a strong advocate for using music as a tool for mental well-being, with projects like Sitar for Mental Health that merge traditional sounds with a modern outlook.
Modern Biology (Tarun Nayar): “Fairy Creek Alder In The Evening (Raag Kaafi)”
Plants, notoriously hard to care for, are also ingenious music sources. Tarun Nayar, a biologist trained in classical music, is on a mission to help us touch grass —musically, that is. Using analog equipment and modular synthesis, he harnesses the natural vibrations generated from wild plants and mushrooms, crafting wellness-focused compositions that are rooted in flora and fauna. His track “Fairy Creek Alder in the evening (raag kaafi)” is ethereal, whimsical, and inherently escapist, effortlessly transporting listeners to liminal, Midsommar-esque landscapes. Erratic yet calculated, Nayar’s production reveals a certain stillness rooted in sporadicity.
Lincoln Jesser: “Aum So Hum”
A breezy, vibrational track that’s as much fun as it is spiritual, Jesser’s “Aum So Hum” adds a summertime touch to spirituality. The Sanskrit chant, which translates to “I am the universe,” reverberates throughout, grounding the track as its beats and melodies collide harmoniously. He also incorporates the solfeggio frequency (528 Hz), which is said to reduce cortisol levels and elevate overall mood. It draws some parallels to Fred Again…’s “Adore U,” but carves its own space through a unique blend of spirituality and sound healing that feels intentional and danceable.
Sahalé, Ravin: “Sapana”
Sahalé is a Paris-based producer who encapsulates cultural intricacies through electronic music, creating a soundscape that feels intimate yet expansive. His track, “Sapana,” is a perfect mood-setter, an ideal background score for your 5-to-9s. Built on a magnetic, repetitive loop, it features Bengali verses that echo grief chained to a rhythmic melody. Grounded and emotionally present, this track places feelings at the forefront, letting emotions take center stage.
EarthRise Soundsystem, Morley: “Intention”
Blending holistic club and lounge music with global influences, the musical duo Derek Beres (author, yogi, and producer) and percussionist David Schommer strive to craft transcendental tapestries of sound. In the track “Intention,” there’s a primal, choral element, with constant hums layered beneath rich harmonies, which creates an immersive, almost meditative atmosphere.
Hamsa Lila: “Om Tara”
Rustic, mystical, and rich in multi-genre instrumentation, “Om Tara” by Hamsa Lila is an interplay of earthy rhythms and hypnotic grooves that borrows from Gnawa and Yoruba culture from West Africa and Nigeria. With a loop-like chant and harmonies that glide like butter, the entirety of the track, at its core, is a multicultural influx of tribalistic influences from Morocco, India, West Africa, and Brazil. All in all, the band spotlights trance music through unique indigenous music references, with the percussion and beats dictating the tempo.
Sid Sriram: “Sol”
Sid Sriram’s “Sol” is a bilingual track that blends Carnatic riffs with a peppy beat. An anthem of togetherness and love, it’s infectiously optimistic, instantly lifting your spirits and putting a smile on your face. Derived from personal nostalgia, “Sol” captures the awe Sriram felt as a child listening to his mother sing, evoking memories of his upbringing in Fremont, California. Shuttling between western and classical influences, this song is like a mood cleanser; you can start afresh, whatever time of the day. In totality, the song is an ode to belonging, connection, and unadulterated joy.
Ishq (Matthew Hillier): “Bhakti”
Matthew Hillier’s “Bhakti,” under his moniker Ishq, feels like a soundtrack crafted for James Cameron’s Avatar. Lucid and ambient, the track keeps listeners on their toes, unfolding like the opening credits of a grand sci-fi feature film. Its pulsing beats simulate the feeling of traveling across dimensions. A UK-based ambient artist, Hillier blends abstract and experimental sound design with spiritual and cultural themes. With just a mere listen, “Bhakti” drifts you inwards, away from the chaos of the universe.
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