This new EP explores the struggles of loss of love, despair and self-acceptance

(Right) David De Menezes at a performance

"Hello darkness/my old friend," says Simon Garfunkel as he begins the melodic Sounds of Silence. The opening lines are a reminder of the despair and struggle that is often the realm of every individual. What sets an artiste apart is their ability to crystallise this conflict of emotions into expression. For Wadala-based composer David De Menezes, it has resulted in the production of his latest EP, What I want. Released last month, the four-track EP explores the emotions of an individual coming to terms with the struggle, loss of love, despair and self-acceptance.

"I was going through a really bad time," the 25-year-old shares over a phone call. It was a period of heartbreak and depression dating back to the start of the year that saw Menezes struggle. "It was hard for me to get out of the house. I would leave to attend a gig, but return half-way," he recalls. Working from his bedroom, the producer set his mind to the tracks he had in his backlog, and finally put them together.

Menezes performs on the guitar

It seems coincidental that the musician has taken solace in composing once again. His debut album, Second Waves, emerged during the second wave of the lockdown. It was a different sound though, he points out.

What I want begins with a sense of distorted percussion that builds up slowly in Crule. "It is a slow-burner of a heartbreak song. It captures the conflicting emotions of situationships in our generation," Menezes explains. It certainly adds a touch of darkness with its haunting build-up.

The feel lightens up with every song. New beginnings is a drum-and-synth track with soothing strings and ambient sounds that add to the feel of the composition. There is also a deviation from his usual style with the guitars, bass and drum being driven through the pedal board. "I am a fan of guitar pedals, and wanted to experiment with them on a new sound," Menezes explains.

There is also the spoken-verse poetry - an increasing presence on albums - in For you, on your birthday. Written and recited by Prachi Sharma, the verses capture a sense of longing, loss and self-acceptance that shine through the slow, soothing background. "People tend to make fun of spoken-verse poetry, but I love it. I loved the idea of making it the centrepiece of a composition," he says.

This writer picks Dreams as the track to follow. With its lush viola layers in the chorus, muted bass guitar, it is the perfect song that transitions from darkness to hope. The orchestrated rush towards the end is quite the kick to finish the EP on. "It is completely out there, lyrically and musically," says Menezes adding that the entire production was the result of a dark period. "I felt almost as if this was the end, and wanted to find a way to put all my work out there for people," he says.

It has spurred him. Working at breakneck speed, he has already released the first single of his next EP, Here now, last week. "The EP will release soon in the coming month," Menezes signs off, sharing that he is targeting an EP every month from now on.
That is one way to beat the blues, we say.

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