It is indeed rare for one so young to make a mark so quickly in any chosen field. However, 18-year-old Shriya Rao has unhesitatingly done that ever since her debut in the indie music scene. And she is kicking things up a notch with her groovy, sexy new number titled ‘Like That’. Released on July 26, this contemporary R&B / alternative R&B / Soul single in English has been released independently.
Written and sung by Shriya herself, it has been produced and mixed by Hersh Desai, and mastered by Fili Filizzola, who is known for working with renowned artists like Doja Cat, SZA, Harry Styles and Justin Bieber, and is a Latin Grammy-nominated mastering engineer.
“In my song, ‘Like That’, I explore the thrill of being close to someone. The lyrics are supported by sophisticated production value that blends a dynamic rhythm section, taking listeners on a journey of vivid imagery. My lyrics beckon you into my world, where desire and intensity merge. Hence, I feel the song exudes romantic energy. I crafted this track envisioning it blasting through nightclub speakers, as it strikes the ideal balance between ‘chill’ and ‘groove’. It also promises to be the perfect addition to your summer playlist. Imagine this: you are in a nightclub, the lights are dim, and ‘Like That’ starts blasting through the speakers. The vibe is electric, and you can’t help but move to the beat. That is the real magic of this song.”
Since her debut, singer-songwriter Shriya has released five singles, with over 50 live performances to her credit. These have included performances at prestigious venues across Mumbai such as the Royal Opera house, NCPA, St. Andrews auditorium, NSCI Dome and G5A. Speaking about her style, she says, “My music blends contemporary R&B / Soul and Pop, and is inspired by the music of Daniel Caesar, Summer Walker, Erykah Badu, Mac Miller, and Tate McRae. When I’m not producing original music or performing live, I have lent my voice to ads for leading brands such as Nykaa Fashion, Tang, and Lenskart.” Sony Music India (Day One the sublabel) released two of her songs ‘Ride for Me’ and ‘On My Mind’ quite recently. Both tracks were viewed over 180,000 times on YouTube, with ‘On My Mind’ alone crossing 50,000 streams on Spotify.
Shriya has been singing since childhood, with her vocal training beginning at the age of 11 at the Sobo House of Music, which was later followed by lessons at the True School of Music. This was where she met Mumbai-based artist Yohan Marshall, who produced one of her previous singles ‘On My Mind’. As a versatile artist, she has performed in musicals like Wicked when she was just 12. Some of her previous singles include ‘Tell Me’ ‘Dreaming’, and ‘On My Mind’.
Having started her journey quite young, one wonders about the lessons she has learnt so far. To this, she responds, “I’ve definitely become a more confident person over the years. I have learnt how to engage with the audience when performing on stage. I have also learnt how to be myself on stage rather than putting up an act. I have learnt to love my voice. When I was 14, I tried to sound mature. But after a point, I just learnt that it’s best to sound natural. That’s when I became the most comfortable with myself.”
Speaking about her previous singles, Shriya shares, “My song ‘Ride for Me’ was all about the spark you feel when you lock your eyes with someone across the room for the first time. It captures the excitement and mystery of a potential romance. The music is an amalgamation of rhythmic elements from Afro-beat and RnB melodies, a perfect fit for car jams and parties! My other song ‘On My Mind’, blended the realms of Pop and RnB. The song depicts a teenager’s acceptance that even in a happy relationship the joyful moments are ephemeral and fleeting. It evokes feelings of sentimentality and nostalgia within the listener through its honest lyrics and wistful melodies.”
When asked what’s next on the cards, she says, “Hold on to your seats because 2024 is going to be a rollercoaster ride of musical delights from me. I am working on a four-song EP, the first song of which is set to release in August. This EP will be a glimpse into the vast and creative mind of an 18-year-old artist who’s just getting started. I can’t wait for my audience to hear it!”
The music video of ‘Like That’ is also set to drop on August 5, and it promises to match the groovy vibe of the song.
Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com.