Raji Rags reveals debut EP, ‘Congratulations’

Raji Rags has shared details of his debut EP, ‘Congratulations’ — which is set for release in April via his imprint OTIH Records.

The NTS resident has shared first single 'Kiran's Bike' to accompany the the announcement, revealing in a statement on Instagram that 'Congratulations' is inspired by his own personal experiences through the pandemic, the birth of his son and personal health scares.

Read this next: Yung Singh’s ‘Ekta’ is on the horizon

The artwork for 'Congratulations' features an MRI scan of Raj’s brain, as well as an ultrasound of his son. “Since I started producing, I’ve gone through the toughest years of my life,” Raji Rags, aka Raj Chaudhuri, revealed. “This EP is a reflection that I’m still standing when I genuinely thought I was going to lose everything.”

The EP’s experimental sound features a mixture of electronic and live instruments recorded with OTIH label-mates Speakers Corner Quartet.

‘Congratulations’ also features a collaborative track with Taiwanese producer, Sonia Calico, taking inspiration from time spent living in Taipei whilst creating the EP.

“Collaboration has been key on this record,” Raji Rags says. “It’s been essential to my process.”

Read this next: Southbank Centre to host event series celebrating South Asian music and culture

The British-South Asian creative revealed ‘Congratulations’ is the "culmination of his influences."

Elaborating how producing became an obsession for Raj, “I’ve gone to sleep every night watching a YouTube production tutorial with this stupid-looking sleeping earphone headband on my head.”

Setting the scene with is ‘Obligatory Ambient Intro’, a moody soundscape featuring live violin from Raven Bush and double bass from Peter Bennie.

The first single of the EP, ‘Kiran’s Bike,’ named after Rags’ son is the “soundtrack to Kiran’s bike rides around South London,” and features a live violin, synth and bass.

Read this next: Anu Ambasna’s new exhibition explores dance music tropes and the importance of friendship

On the process of creating the EP, Rags wrote, “If people realised the lengths I’ve gone to make these tracks and musicality the way they are, it has been overly excessive, to be honest. But it’s part of the journey.”

Tracklist

'Obligatory Ambient Intro'
'Kiran's Bike'
'Making Love To A Ghost'
'Bullet Train' ft. Sonia Calico
'Enchanté'

Listen to 'Kiran's Bike' below.

Belle Richardson is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter