What does Anoushka Shankar sound like?

Sitarist and film composer explores new age and Indian classical music through a cinematic lens.

The review of ‘Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn’ by Anoushka Shankar

I often wonder if it is freeing or daunting for a film composer to explore their own creative works that are completely their own. This is something that Anoushka Shankar faced when she embarked on a trilogy of mini albums – each with their own theme.

Following ‘Chapter I: Forever, For Now’ last year and its roots in traditional lullabies, this new release mixes new age calming influences and wider soundscapes into the melting pot. Anoushka opens with ‘Pacifica’ a romantic and sumptuous sitar dream. The main melody is supported with airy keyboards, warm timbre bass hues and a whirlpool of homely nourishing optimism. ‘Offering’ follows seamlessly as a lush morning drone raj. Long tail distant hues of sitar notes and harmonium ring out numbing the listener into a soft trance. Lilts and tiny motifs trickle in and out but the constant singular hum drives the track forward. From here we arrive at the beach with lapping waves and distant chatter as a Shankar and her lone sitar play a piece full of yearning and quiet defiance. As the crowd noise fades, a gentle new age synth creeps in with extra reverb as if we’ve shifted plain. It is very clever and shows off Anoushka’s cinematic chops.

As Anoushka Shankar is writing and recording these mini-albums as she tours, I feel this specific release aims to make a space for healing and peace. ‘In The End’ oozes peace and healing from the first note to the last echo. Grounded by piano and warm synths, Anoushka’s sitar bends and twists across your heartstrings in a deeply emotional way. It is the quintessential ballad of the album and a great entry point for sitar beginners. ‘Below the Surface’ is a mystical drone piece, using the resonance of the sitar to create unease and unrest. It straddles ethereal, foreboding and curiosity equally and perfectly for the token darker track on the release.

‘New Dawn’ is where the album reaches its musical and narrative zenith. It begins as a slow brooding new age/Indian folk mesh before gathering momentum. In comes a pulsing kick drum and Anoushka begins picking up the pace with ever more bombastic sitar playing. It builds and builds until it hits a sudden stop. The track then enters its final phase of floaty lighter playing against gentle soft piano. The dawn has arrived and the dark is now light.

The whole narrative of ‘Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn’ comes across in the track order. Clocking in at 24 minutes, this mini-album works fantastically as a single playthrough body of work. I’d argue the pacing and mood shifts of the songs make the whole product greater than the sum of its parts. Where some big tech companies want to play down the LP and EP format to push constant singles, this is a great example of why the format still delivers when the artist is thoughtful about their framework and ideas. Anoushka Shankar continues to surprise and delight with her new age tinged ambient backdrops to her stunning sitar playing. I’m looking forward to the conclusion of the trilogy whenever that arrives.

Recommended track: In The End

Support Higher Plain Music

Higher Plain Music is part of the Higher Plain Network – a one-man indie media project. If you like what I do, please consider supporting me via Patreon for as little as $1/£1 a month. In return, you’ll receive additional perks for supporting me, such as behind-the-scenes content and free downloads. You can also donate using PayPal. Sharing the website helps too or using the affiliate buy now links on reviews. I receive a few pence per Amazon sale. All your support will enable me to produce better content, more often. I’d love to make this a full-time media network and your support can make that happen. Thank you.