When was the last time you heard the sounds of East and West combined in an emotional and uplifting musical context? Let's make it today after listening to SA’s single release of “Pogathe.” What is SA? Well, it’s a "who" and more, it’s a "she." Shilpa Ananth, bandleader of the group named SA, known on SoundCloud as SoundsofSA, is paving a way in the Brooklyn indie music scene. Ananth has a background in Indian classical music and an education from Berklee College of Music. She's been performing as SA for the past year doing gigs all over the east coast. The music of SA is nothing less than what I’d call "experienced." “Pogathe” is filled with tasteful vocal melisma and saucy guitar tone. The chorus has an emphatic quality as Ananth stretches the word “Pogathe” (or in English, “Don’t leave”) with a rise and quick fall. The sophisticated rhythms and jazzy piano are a delicious bed as Ananth dances over with the lyrics that make you question what she might really be singing about – a lover, a friend, a memory, maybe something entirely internal? What I do know is that this song is pretty damn sexy, and I am confident that SA has a sound you’d be wise to keep on your radar. SA’s debut EP, Indian Soul, is coming out Friday, February 13 and will be celebrated with a live performance from the group at the infamous Blue Note Jazz Club in Manhattan on the same evening. Be ready for the sounds of SA and listen below.

Tiffany Wilson

TRACK REVIEWSA “Pogathe”