Curtain Blue showcases minimal composition mastery in ‘S.T.R.I.P.E.S’ EP

Curtain Blue’s ‘S.T.R.I.P.E.S’ is a four-track EP that comes via India’s Export Quality Records. The experience of ‘S.T.R.I.P.E.S’ comes with an additional visual presentation through four separate videos which will be released across the span of four weeks.

Experimenting with the eclectic sounds of electronica, New delhi-based singer-producer Abhishek Bhatia aka Curtain Blue delivers a fusion of evocative vocal melodies that pair immaculately with his versatile musicality.

From anthemic tunes fit for the dance floor to more melancholic and somber strains, ‘S.T.R.I.P.E.S’ teems with tasteful samplings of various instruments and vocal play which then become the common link between the four tracks.

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‘Right Into You’ starts off with ambient, cerebral sounds that lead up to a wonderful layering of Curtain Blue’s vocals complete with the accompaniment of light beats throughout. ‘Is It You That I Want’ continues the overall melancholic vibe with intricately exquisite sampling and erratic yet gentle synth sounds.

‘All For You’ marks a stylistic shift in the EP with an emotional piano and strings intro before a soft, improvisational jazz section comes into play. The artist then ends the EP with ‘Sunkissed’ that once again showcases his fondness for chopped-and-sampled sounds for a more percussive presentation of warm pads, a dash of muted, metallic horns and, of course, impeccable vocal artistry.

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Drawing inspiration from the likes of Radiohead, Charles Mingus, Apparat and Flume, Curtain Blue continues to venture into the weirdly wonderful-sounding world of modern electronica — as heard in his 2015 EP ‘Drones’. His live band debut performance is set to take place in Magnetic Fields this year, giving more reason to why we added the festival onto our list of must-go-to events.

Watch the mesmerising video for ‘Is It You That I Want’ below.

Listen to Curtain Blue ‘S.T.R.I.P.E.S’ EP here.

Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Editor, follow her on Instagram.