Aksomaniac’s Varthamanam EP Review
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by Rahul
Aksomaniac, one of the most promising singer-songwriters in India today, returns with his second EP Varthamanam. The project has been highly anticipated, especially after his previous EP Explained Twice—a release that was nothing short of a masterpiece and a genuine treat for the ears.
Since then, Akso has refined both his artistic voice and his public identity. He has worked on his branding in a way that now positions him as the face of Malayalam R&B. The genre has always existed in scattered moments, but no one has owned it as strongly—or as creatively—as Aksomaniac does today.
Varthamanam isn’t framed as a conceptual record. Instead, it’s a set of five narrative-driven tracks: some drawn from Akso’s own experiences, others built from the stories and realities he observed growing up in Kerala.
Before diving into the songs, it’s worth pausing to recognize what makes Aksomaniac especially significant.
In a country still deeply sexually repressed, he is not only embracing his own identity but also creating music that allows listeners—whether straight, queer, or otherwise—to embrace theirs without guilt or shame. That kind of representation matters.
It’s a reminder that music isn’t only entertainment; it can be a mirror, a form of education, and a safe space. Akso is using his platform to do exactly that.
The five-track EP finds a balance between familiarity and freshness. Listeners will instantly recognize “Kanmashi” and “Paapam,” both released ahead of the project as singles.
“Paapam,” featuring Shreyas, remains one of Aksomaniac’s most popular tracks—and for good reason.
The bait-and-switch songwriting technique Akso employs here is brilliant, keeping the listener hooked as the narrative unfolds. The contrasting styles of Shreyas and Akso add depth to the track, with each voice sharpening the impact of the other. The music video, directed by Madhavan Krishnesh, captures the mood with precision and creativity. If you haven’t watched it yet, it’s worth experiencing alongside the track—it completes the picture.
“Kanmashi” is another track most listeners will already know, it dropped just before Paapam.
What makes it special, beyond the music itself, is the story it carries in Akso’s life. Kanmashi in Malayalam means eyeliner, one of the very first things he ever wore on his face—a small but powerful step in how he chose to present himself.
In many ways, it marked the beginning of his journey toward self-acceptance.
The song itself is paired with a beautifully crafted visualiser that adds yet another layer of meaning, reinforcing both the personal and artistic weight of the track.
With these two singles laying the foundation, the real core of Varthamanam comes alive in its three new tracks. These songs don’t just extend the sound: they expand the story, giving listeners fresh windows into Akso’s artistry and the narratives he wants to tell.
The New Cuts
The opening track, “Karupp,” produced by anxious and Aksomaniac, sets the tone with both vulnerability and weight. Karupp translates to “Black” and tells the story of a brown boy in Kerala grappling with the stigma around his complexion. It’s a theme that cuts deep, one that countless dark-skinned people across India can immediately relate to.
In a country predominantly brown, our obsession with fair skin is a cultural wound, normalized for generations and slow to heal.
Through Karupp, Akso doesn’t just acknowledge this prejudice: he personalizes it, putting a face and a feeling to what so many quietly endure. From the three new tracks, this one stands out as our favorite.
The composition is stunning, and even without understanding a word of Malayalam, you feel the weight of Akso’s emotion in every line. It’s proof of his ability to transcend language and communicate on a universal level.
The sequencing also deserves credit. Moving from Karupp into Kanmashi and Paapam feels seamless, both sonically and emotionally, giving the EP a natural arc.
If Karupp confronts prejudice head-on, “Aliyum” turns inward—exploring intimacy in all its paradoxes. Featuring the incredible Damini Bhatla (known to many from Baahubali, but she is so much more—like being a voting member of the Recording Academy) and co-produced by one of our current favorite indie artist Unkill Ji, it feels like the emotional centerpiece of Varthamanam.
Aliyum is a love suspended between two natures—one asexual and the other vivid with desire. The lyrics unfold in paradox: intimacy woven with restraint, longing bound to silence.
Damini’s voice teases and consoles in equal measure, her line “Is this body only meant for thirst? Isn’t it enough if it simply holds love?” striking at the heart of inadequacy while offering quiet reassurance.
Sonically, this is the standout track of the project—Akso and Damini sound magical together, lifted further by live instrumentation. The interplay of drums, tabla, and layered textures creates a soundscape that feels otherworldly.
And just when the EP feels emotionally heaviest, Akso closes with a familiar melody reframed in a lighter voice. The bonus track revisits “Paapam,” this time with a softer heart.
On first listen, we couldn’t help but imagine how powerful it might sound as a stripped-down version: just Akso and Shreyas, with the piano at the center. In that setup, their vocals and emotion would likely cut even deeper.
But the chosen version grows with each listen. Within the sonic world of Varthamanam, this take feels more at home—a thoughtful reinterpretation that softens the edges of the original while still carrying its weight.
It’s a reminder that sometimes, it isn’t about what could have been, but about how an artist chooses to reframe their own work.
Circle Tone: The Man Behind the Sound
We can’t wrap up this review without mentioning the hidden hero behind Akso’s sound—Circle Tone.
His mixing elevates every track, giving Akso’s vocals and instrumentation the clarity and depth they deserve. These are some of the best mixes we’ve heard in recent times, and that consistency is no accident.
Circle Tone continues to deliver top-tier work, and Varthamanam is proof of just how much his craft shapes the listening experience.
With Varthamanam, Aksomaniac and his team, doesn’t just deliver five beautifully crafted songs—they expand the boundaries of what Malayalam R&B can be.
The EP carries weight, tenderness, and craft in equal measure, proving that Akso is not only a voice of his generation but one determined to carve out his own lane.
For longtime fans, it’s a step forward; for new listeners, it’s the perfect entry point into his world. Either way, Varthamanam is an essential listen: one that lingers long after it ends.
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