[Album Review] MojoJojo – Shots Fired

Bass music is finally coming off age in India. With a largely house and techno dominated scene, and with trance also having a loyal fan base, bass music has had to take the backseat to the other genres. However, with a number of extremely talented artists in the scene, coupled with a global surge of bass music, the genre is steadily making its mark in the Indian market.

And ready to cement his position as one of the finest artists in bass music is Akshay Johar aka MojoJojo.  The Delhi based DJ and producer has released his debut album, titled ‘Shots Fired‘, which brings together different genres, ranging from Drum & Bass, Trap, Dubstep, Moombahton, Dubstep and more with lots of Indian influences.

Setting the pace for the album is Storm, a brilliantly crafted ‘drum and bass meets Indian classical’ number, with Bawari Basanti‘s earthy vocals giving the track real character, very reminiscent of a Karsh Kale or MIDIval Punditz production. Thar Bomb brings forward Rajasthani vocal samples and influences to a bass laden synths strewn all over, while Greed Is Good with Nanok and Reisa features a whole new arsenal of sounds, with an upbeat vibe and Nanok’s sound quite evident in the track. Featuring Tanya Nambiar‘s sultry vocals on ‘Rise and Fall‘, the track is a beautiful amalgamation of bass and synths coming together for a peppy number, while ‘Shots Fired‘, in collaboration with Sound Avtar and KR$NA, brings distorted synths and trap together, with KR$NA‘s modulated vocals on point. KR$NA also appears on another track, ‘Jungle Raj‘, which sees MojoJojo foray into Jungle Terror territory.

Another standout track on the album, complete with percussions, bells and chants that give the track a rather dark, ambient aura, ‘Nepal‘ will send shivers down your spine. ‘Yogic Jogging‘ shows MojoJojo brings his Moombahton game to the fore, with vocal samples and an unrelenting bassline, and concluding the album is ‘Pick It Up‘, featuring Chetan Awasthi, with a very unique drum and bass sound, with saxophone and blues influences, something that he’s known for.

Akshay Johar has put forward an extremely well crafted album in the form of ‘Shots Fired‘, with the variety in genres quite evident. What sets it apart is him integrating Indian sounds and influences in quite a mellifluous manner, making the album stand out in a league of its own. Would we recommend you to buy the album? Definitely.

One of the finest albums I’ve heard in some time, this definitely deserves a spot in your music library. You can buy it from here.

Standout tracks: Storm, Thar Bomb, Nepal, Pick It Up

Stream the album here below!