JINDABAD: PLASTIC HEART

Few of us imagined that five young aspiring musicians, who, while hanging out sipping one chiya after another, could come up with an album so unexpected, so precise, and so mature. That is not to say that it is not full of youthful exuberance, but you'd have to pinch yourself to believe that they're still in their early days.
Nevertheless, the release of Jindabaad's debut album Plastic Heart is a proud and monumental moment, for what they have achieved with limited resources during Nepal's half-lit days is truly exceptional.
Plastic Heart starts loudly with 'Shades of You', a ballad driven by Kiran Shahi's tight drumming. With Sunny Tuladhar's slick guitar overlays and Rajan Shrestha on the howling bass, it transitions into a progressive final third before Rohit Shakya's umpteenth vocal octave wraps it to a distinguished close.
Second comes 'Preset', where Abhishek Bhadra's haunted undertones on the keyboard are complimented by the utopian numbness of the chorus. It is, in fact, poetry in motion, and taken to new heights due to Bhadra's proficiency on the keys.

'Rewind' reminds listeners that as musicians, music is theirs to create – labels mean nothing. They released this song on YouTube a few months back, which earned them a legion of fans then unfamiliar with the band's humble beginnings.

BFM' is a politically voiced number, by a band that continues to claim that self-entitlement has little to do with their music. The angry, at times almost 'Zack De La Rocha'-sounding, Shakya helps trigger the frustration of living in a disorderly state with the false autonomy we have created. Bhadra and Sunny, through the mastery of their instruments, heighten the enraged call for an egalitarian society.

PLASTIC HEART JINDABAD

The album finally ends in 'Spoilin'. Heavy and angry at times, vulnerable and moody at others, the tracks always seem to be seconds away from hitting you with another surprising twist. The transitions in tone, emotion and progression have already become a trademark of this band.
Jindabaad produced the album independently, going commercial solely through their fans, their meagre online resources and the occasional gig around town. Despite 20-hour loadshedding, these artists, some of Nepal's youngest and most talented musicians, have managed to produce an album that is quintessentially about music and music alone. Set aside the fact that fame might be awaiting them; these are just five guys in love with what they're doing.