Diving into one’s soul for creative fodder, isn’t for the faint of heart. Singer and popular vocal coach Jeanne Merchant, however, does it with flair. Her evocative new single, ‘Photosensitive’, released on December 11, is the latest example of this.
“Photosensitive is a haunting journey through memory, loss and the fragile spaces that exist between reality and imagination. Told through cosmic metaphors, fractured images and emotional undercurrents, the song follows the narrator trying to navigate grief while clinging to the presence of someone who disappeared. Time becomes elastic, dreams blur into waking life and shadows remain long after the light has gone,” she says, explaining the premise.
She adds, “The refrain, ‘Shut the curtain to the light’, captures the struggle of a soul unable to step out of the darkness, choosing instead to remain moored to the feelings of longing. The track moves through hypnotic textures and lyrical urgency, building toward a powerful emotional release.”
Composed, written and sung by Merchant, the song’s production is by Anshuman Sharma, who has made a name for himself in the contemporary soundscape in India. While her vocals offer both a vulnerability and intensity, Sharma’s production adds to the drama with electronic elements meeting raw emotions.
Merchant boasts a versatile range which moves effortlessly between R&B, soul, jazz and contemporary music. Her vocal studio, going strong for over a decade, has honed the skills of singers across age groups, shaping numerous talented performers in Bollywood and beyond. Her latest track, ‘Photosensitive’, reveals a more introspective dimension to her artistry, where imagination meets narrative storytelling and vocal expression.
She shares, “The song explores the surreal ways in which the mind protects itself. It looks into the back doors of memory and explores artificial echoes, phantom figures and unanswerable questions. Yet under this dreamlike layer is the human desire to hold on to love, even when the world has shifted. The idea is to present this underlying tension with a blend of strength and fragility, offering a sound that lingers long after the final refrain has ended. With ‘Photosensitive’ I invite listeners into a world where love, ruin and resilience burn at the same intensity.”
Merchant spoke to the Sunday Guardian in an exclusive interview, on the occasion of the release of the track. Excerpts from an edited interview:
Q: What was the inspiration behind creating your track ‘Photosensitive’?
A: Some time back, I was listening to a podcast about the material and emotional loss faced people due to war, and it really struck me hard. I couldn’t help but think of people in places like Gaza, Israel, Ukraine and other war-torn regions of the world, dealing with the loss of loved ones and loss of tangible and intangible possessions and memories. Their silent ache of love may not have had the chance to complete its course, because of circumstances beyond their control.
This feeling then metamorphosed into a story about two people torn apart by war and distance, holding on only through memory. These were the thoughts in my mind which I penned down and soon a tune followed. I wanted my listeners to feel the pull between longing and acceptance, the grief of watching something beautiful burn because it could no longer survive, and the gentleness of knowing that even in separation, love creates an impact which cannot be erased by time and borders.
Q: Please tell us about the songwriting and production process for this track.
A: Well, the writing of the lyrics and the melody came first. I already had a very clear idea of the soundscape and I wanted a future-bass, progressive electronic production to match the emotion of the lyrics and music. I discussed this with my producer, Anshuman, and he shared his ideas. After that, Salim (Merchant) added some magical thoughts and ideas as well. I believe it has all blended really well. The song has a very strong hook, but ‘Photosensitive’ also has a very deep meaning. It’s an ode to people metaphorically living in darkness and not being able to come out of the shadows into the light. The production truly adds to the overall vibe of the song.
Q: You have had a long career as a vocal coach along with being an artist. How does your experience training others influence your own music?
A: I have always believed, and I have experienced, that knowledge grows when you share it with other people. I have been a vocal coach for many years and while I train others, I end up learning so much from them! Firstly, it’s great practice for me to be able to sing and demonstrate vocal exercises and vocalise things for my students. And while I do that, I am also training myself because running through practices and vocal exercises is a great training process for your own voice.
Someone very wisely said that knowledge is best gained when you share it with other people, and that is truly the case with me. Sharing my vocal training ideas with my students really helps me. Also, during my own separate vocal practices, when I am breaking down and practicing certain songs, I get great ideas because I can observe the songwriting process and the vocal techniques of other songs and other artists too. That really helps me and inspires me to write my own songs and use some of those techniques in my own music as a way to elaborate the songwriting process with great ideas and a unique mix of lyrics and melody.
Q: What’s on the cards for the coming year?
A: My plans for the new year are to keep releasing new music and continue my vocal coaching. My studio is full right now – there are lots of people on a waitlist. It’s really flourishing. It gives me so much pleasure to teach other artists and vocalists. So that’s going to continue in 2026, and of course I’m going to keep making new music and releasing songs periodically.
Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com.
