When every song is a story — of heartache

Neha Kirpal

Singer-songwriter Prateek Kuhad recently released a surprise new six-track EP, Cold/Mess. Released as part of Saavn’s Artist Originals program, this collection of songs conveys the anguish and elation in love and relationships.

The album is an arresting blend that blurs the line between organic folk intimacy and lush pop appeal. Written solely in English and recorded in Nashville, the EP’s music and lyrics are poignant and introspective. “Cold/Mess is about love, heartache, angst and conflict — a conflict brought about by a relationship that on a deeper level may possibly be flawed,” says Prateek about the EP.

Prateek has tried and tested four of the six songs on the road, including the title track, Cold/Mess, which has been received well. The two new songs on the EP are With you/for you and Did you/fall apart. “Each song is part anecdotal, part fictional, fused to convey a very specific and personal emotion. The songs move together and attempt to tell a story,” he adds.

Rather than a traditional album rollout, Prateek opted for a more fan-centric approach for Cold/Mess, led by the team at the record label Pagal Haina. Prateek engages and interacts with his fans on a continuous basis on and off social media. As a way of expressing his gratitude for their love and support, he has given the EP to all the fans on his mailing list, and requested them to lead the announcement of its release. “I couldn’t have made it here without my fans, and I really wanted them to be a more intimate part of this release,” he said about his decision of the release process. 

Over the past few years, Prateek has risen as one of India’s most distinctive voices. He will be performing a series of intimate house gigs across India in August. In August and September, Prateek will also head to the US for a full-fledged tour that will take him to Los Angeles, Chicago and New York among other cities.