“The next wave of British-Asian Talent” – Yasser, BBC1Xtra

“This guy is really really something to give your attention to; I think he’s as good as James Blake and Jai Paul.” – D Code, BBC Asian Network

Today, 18th November, British-Asian electronic-R&B craftsman Darshaan explores a bouncier, electronic-influenced production with new single ‘Jungle.’ feat. Birmingham rapper Katus Myles and Indian-born soul vocalist NYSZA.

The first single taken from the singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer upcoming EP, due for release in 2021, ‘Jungle.’ sees Darshaan blurring genres, cultures and sounds, with a contemporary electronic-R&B sensibility which sits ahead of the curve while still holding storytelling at the heart of his sound. Samples evoking the British Indian experience are scattered through the track, from the dhol drum sounds Darshaan heard going to Pujas – Hindu religious festivals – as a child in London, to the marimba and a dripping water style synth that recall the torrential downpour he experienced during the Indian monsoon season.

Speaking on the track, Darshaan says: “I wanted the song and the artwork to evoke the blurred lines that come with being born as a British Indian or as a person of colour. It can be confusing, painful and conflicting trying to understand how to ‘fit in’ when growing up. This song is about how freeing it can be to embrace that dual heritage. Celebrating both cultures and allowing both worlds to be part of who you are can be liberating”. The artist behind the compelling artwork, Mahnoor Ahmad blends the three worlds of ornate architecture of the Moghul style archway, the thick jungle and the vinyl records scattered around the room to give a sense of the cultural dysphoria that Darshaan has experienced in his life. While Katus Myles’ British flow and Nysza’s Hindi lyrics represents the culture and sound clash of the genre-bending song.

Since his debut last year – the soul-tinged ‘Leopard Print.’ featuring indie rapper Leyma – Darshaan has been named the BBC Introducing Artist for the Asian Network by Bobby Friction, culminating in interviews on Bobby, Yasser and D-Code radio shows. His second single, the disco-infused ‘Watercolours.’ was added to the New Dance Revolution playlist on Spotify. While his most recent single ‘Palm Of My Hand’ has gained nearly 200K streams on Spotify, topping the digital music service’s Pop Right Now and New Music Friday playlists in Germany and Switzerland, as well as gaining radio support on Huw Stephens’ BBC Radio 1 show and Steve Lamacq’s Roundtable on BBC6 Music. Picking up guitar at a young age, Darshaan had a stint as choral singer before studying Music Production at BIMM London, a skilled multi-instrumentalist, producer and mixer, when he is not making his own music, he plays bass in Leyma’s live band.

With ‘Jungle’, Darshaan merges influences creating a gorgeously layered and expansive sound, that is a sum of his pop culture parts.