Stitched In Sound: Raja Rani Salute Their Cross-Cultural Roots With ‘The Indian Italian’ EP

Raja Rani have seamlessly weaved music production into their artistry (Credit: Courtesy of Raja Rani)

The Raja Rani duo share a story spun out of love, passion and craftsmanship. And while you might think their craft relates to their Indian kimono business that’s been adorning the scene for years, Raja Rani pull more diverging threads out of their collective creativity. Aside from their back-to-back DJ antics, the couple of Beatrice Nannini and Naveen Murugan are also co-creators in production, and they’ve now used that medium to express the crossing of cultures that underscore their relationship. Doesn’t get more romantic than that, does it?

Released on the New York-based Aqualabian Records, the new three-track EP by Raja Rani is aptly titled The Indian Italian that gives nods to their roots and their serendipitous union since meeting in Singapore. The Indian Italian is a celebration of that, and you can feel it in the zest and intensity that pervades the pieces within. “We love traditions, but don’t like to follow rules,” the duo shares about the EP that reflects their brand ethos.

The EP opens with “The Indian”, a sensual dancefloor igniter that scorches with organic instrumentation like funk guitars and trumpet solos, replete with intoxicating vocal samples. It then follows up with – you guessed it – “The Italian”, and that’s another juicy number with a light-footed, luscious bassline and metallic staccato synths. But the pièce de resistance of the EP is its title track, rounding off the listening experience with more shapeshifting vocals and blaring bass notes. It rises with dramatic cloud-chasing build-ups and rains down with conviction, wielding the playfulness of indie dance and the gravitas of melodic techno. Because fusing cultures in their clothing alone doesn’t cut it; The Indian Italian is quintessential Raja Rani stitched in sound.