Kathmandu, April 2
Folk rock band Gauley Bhai is releasing their second album Sunbari on Friday.
According to the band, the album dives deep into the everyday experiences of individuals in the Teesta/Kalimpong region, weaving narratives that resonate with communities across the country.
The title of the album Sunbari meaning “A Field where Gold Grows,” highlight moments of change within the mundane, such as the bittersweet relationship depicted in Miley, where a mother learns to let her daughter spread her wings, and in Dara Pada, where workers find solace and connection beneath a vibrant rainbow after a long day.
With tracks like Kalo Saap, which addresses the heavy burden of debt (sense of perennial loss) in agrarian communities through a powerful metaphor, and Kanchinini, celebrating women breaking free from routine (desire & leisure), Sunbari captures the essence of transformation within the ordinary.
This album also reflects the personal journeys of the band members, particularly the challenges faced by bassist Anudwatt, whose year-long recovery from an accident inspired a new creative direction.
“In the first album, we were all about the bigger the better,” says guitarist Sidhant Mani Chetrri. “But in this second album, we’ve grown into our sound, and our approach to music is more centered and focused.”
Drummer Joe Panicker describes the evolution of their sound as a transition from “innocent outbursts” to a more reflective and stylistically nuanced expression.
Sunbari showcases a rich tapestry of musical influences, blending folk-blues with contemporary elements inspired by hip-hop and Afrobeat, while lyrically drawing from the cultural motifs and historical narratives of the Kalimpong/Teesta region.
For fans who have followed Gauley Bhai since Joro,the band’s debut album, Sunbari offers a deeper exploration into the band’s unique musical style and storytelling style, inviting listeners to reflect on themes of displacement, belonging, yearning, and hope.
The album will be available on all major streaming platforms on April 4.
