Midival Punditz return with an energised album ‘Love & Machines’

Over a decade since their last full-length album, Midival Pundtiz have arrived with Love & Machines, delivering a record grounded in their heritage but nestled into a future still to come. Thirteen tracks showcase the duo as audio innovators, with numbers that span from dancefloors to dark, mood-driven atmospheres.

Photo by Raghav Pasricha

The vocals’ languages include Hindi, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Bengali, and Urdu as they bring Indian folk and classical music to contemporary underground electronic production. The fusion is something the pair have pursued across their entire career, but by no means feels tired or unrefined; instead, after a five-year hiatus, they are re-energised.

They comment, “The title ‘Love & Machines’ refers to the soul of the Punditz sound. It’s a sound that resonates with love and positivity. It’s about the soul of ancient and traditional Indian Music and how it melts into the contemporary sounds of the modern world.”

Made up of Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj, Midival Punditz have long been seen as pioneers of Indian electronic music. Since their debut in 2002, they’ve shaped a global audience for the sound, becoming the first of their kind to sign with an international label. Their catalogue stretches across albums, remixes, film, television, and live performances that bring together musicians from across classical, folk, and Sufi traditions.