MUMBAI: Experimental musician Anmol Gupta aka Moli, who is known for playing multiple instruments, is all set to release the latest single titled ‘The Raga of a Broken Heart’ from his debut album, ‘Retrogression Progression’, an experimental film concept album of psychedelic rock and music.

Musical albums can be just as captivating as movies, telling stories and evoking emotions through their songs and his latest single, ‘The Raga of a Broken Heart’ was born out of a gut-wrenching heartache Moli was going through at that time three years back. Known for experimenting with sound, this young Delhi-based musician delved deep into Hindustani classical music and discovered the Raga Bhairavi. The raga stayed with him.

“One evening, the track was born by experimenting on the raga and adding elements. Before I knew it, it was already a combination of two ragas,” said Moli, who has also played with indie rock bands such as Parikrama and Indian Ocean. He doesn’t know if he discovered a new raga, but he surely found a new sonic sound with ‘The Raga of a Broken Heart.’

The former film student, who even assisted on Bollywood films like ‘Half Girlfriend’ is experimental with not only sound but even visuals. Now, Moli, who can play 14 instruments, among which his favourites remain drums, saxophone, keys, piano, synths and guitar sounds, likes to call the ‘music videos’ as ‘films’. The video was shot over a span of three days. The symbolism in the track from the thumping choreography, fire, colours and darkness signals all of us towards the immense pain Moli felt. In one of the scenes, Moli even puts fire on his hand in reality and no, CGI wasn’t used. There’s even Sufism in the video, which symbolises Moli’s cry for help to the almighty.

Being a psychedelic rock musician in a country obsessed with Bollywood and film music isn’t an easy task. But having started his musical journey at the age of nine, he knew his calling. He found solace in psychedelic rock, alternative, jazz rock and shoegaze music. Born in 1999, Moli is now one of the youngest experimental psychedelic artistes globally, and the first Indian artiste to be featured in the modern Psychedelia International Editorial Playlist, alongside huge international names likeTame Impala, Crumb, King-gizzard and the Lizard wizard Etc. International “Modern Psychedelia” playlist by Spotify.

Currently, Moli is busy planning his India Tour, during which he will be performing in various cities:

- 5th April: Delhi
- 12th April: Pune
- 13th April: Bengaluru
- 14th April: Goa.