The Pursuetist House Vol. 1 Review
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by Rahul
Imagine seven artists locked in a house in Alibaug for four days: just a mic, a few themes, and zero distractions. That’s the foundation of The Pursuetist House Vol. 1, released on 7 November, and honestly, it’s one of the most refreshing experimental projects to drop this year.
This feels like a first-of-its-kind approach in India: a creative residency turned into a fully formed EP. And if this is the direction our indie scene is heading in, we need a lot more of it.
The lineup itself is stacked — Adi, Bharg, Dhanji, Dishaan, Reble, Sarah Black, and tricksingh — each bringing their own personality to the mic, while Dishaan’s production ties everything together into a cohesive, tight listen.
For us, the biggest discoveries here were Adi and Sarah Black. We hadn’t dived into their catalog much before, but their performances here make you want to go explore everything they’ve done.
Overall, The Pursuetist House Vol. 1 is fresh, adventurous, and a real showcase of where India’s indie ecosystem is evolving: collaborative, experimental, and driven by pure creativity rather than pressure to chase hits.
And as always, we’re highlighting the tracks that left the strongest impression on us.
Our personal favourite from the EP was Dhanji’s track, but since it’s already featured in this week’s DR Weekly Picks, we’re excluding it here to keep things diverse.
DR Top 3 picks
1) Jawaab — tricksingh, Dishaan
Chandigarh has been producing some of the most exciting new voices in Indian hip hop, and tricksingh is right at the front of that wave.
His biggest strength is how unmistakably himself he sounds — the tone, the delivery, the flows, even the way he structures his melodies.
Jawaab carries all the trademarks of a classic trick track: sharp writing, a distinctive pocket, and a hook that stays with you long after the song ends.
For us, this might just be the best hook on the entire project. tricksingh brings a much-needed freshness to Punjabi music, a style and perspective that feels rooted, original, and completely his own.
2) Alia — Bharg, Dishaan
When does Bharg miss? Probably never.
Alia is one of those songs where the vibe pulls you in before the lyrics even register: an upbeat, almost dance-floor energy wrapped around a story of emotional damage. If you’re not paying attention, you’ll be vibing your way through heartbreak.
It’s easily the grooviest track on the EP, powered by high energy, sharp drums, and some incredible guitar work. This kind of rock-driven, genre-bending sound is exactly what the scene needs more of right now. Bharg and Dishaan nail it.
3) Tell Me — Sarah Black, Dishaan
Sarah Black’s voice is the first thing that grabs you — clean, warm, and effortless. The way she blends English and Tamil feels so natural that you almost forget how rare this kind of fluidity is.
Dishaan’s production deserves its own spotlight here: the drums are crisp and tight, giving the track a punchy, upbeat foundation while leaving Sarah all the space she needs to shine.
A standout moment on the EP, and definitely a song that’s staying in our playlist for a long time.
Why This EP Matters
Projects like The Pursuetist House Vol. 1 don’t come around often — not because India lacks talent, but because we rarely see artists given the space, time, and freedom to create without pressure.
What happened in that Alibaug house is bigger than just six songs. It’s a reminder of what collaboration can unlock when the process is built on trust, curiosity, and play.
Every artist here brings something essential to the table. Reble continues to solidify herself as one of the most exciting emerging voices in Indian Hip Hop with her incredible delivery and writing.
Adi shows flashes of a style that could genuinely grow into something special with time and consistency. Dhanji delivers with the confidence and unpredictability we’ve come to expect from him — no surprises there, just quality.
Bharg and tricksingh yet again push art forward in their own unique ways. And Sarah Black might just be one of the most refreshing discoveries of the year for us.
Holding all of this together is Dishaan, whose production across the EP ensures the residency doesn’t feel like a random collection of songs, but a single, cohesive experience.
The Pursuetist House Vol. 1 matters because it shows what the future of India’s indie ecosystem could look like: more residencies, more collaboration, more experimentation, and more space for artists to build without the pressure of “the next hit.”
If this is Vol. 1, we’re already looking forward to whatever comes next.
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