JBABE – Joshua Fernandez, singer, songwriter, plays in the F16s, one of many reasons why Chennai is actually a very cool city with a very cool scene; we all know him and enjoy his creative adventures. His debut solo album came out in 2019 and was a light, fun affair perfect for either the party or the post-party wind-down depending on what kind of party it is. Now, he has a new album out called 'A Little Larger Than The Entire Universe', and it could not be more different; an immaculately produced, impassioned look at love, attraction and everything in between. Maybe equally importantly, it seems to be absolutely perfect for anyone on this planet that does know not about the indie scene in this country to be, well, introduced to it; an ‘Incredible India’ ad without the insanely gaudy colours that you see during insert festival you dislike here if you’re in insert place you dislike here. There are reasons for this and why they matter.

One, it’s just expertly produced. There is quite a range of sounds all over this thing. Wobbly synths and loads of really lovely keys (Josh is a keys player, of course, so this is not a surprise) form a really warm and comforting bed that is quite delicate at times, but most importantly for most people, is easy to listen to. This isn’t an album that’s jagged and angular and trying to challenge you in any way, really; it’s an album that welcomes you to sit by Josh’s side while he pours out his soul and tells his tales of love and woe. So it’s approachable in a way that lots of pop-adjacent albums are, but it isn’t showy or overly dramatic in its presentation. This isn’t filmi theater that culture-shocks the unfamiliar into Rishikesh-ing themselves. It’s just a guy talking about where he’s at.

Second thing, these are love songs, but they’re Josh’s love songs. To explain: it seems very much (and we have seen this with the few other artists and albums that everyone seems to agree are simply ‘quite good’) like there’s barely any outside ‘influence’ or particular reference point for the way feelings and all that are being talked about on these songs. Another way to say it: they are honest and very much of the artist’s mind. In a world where people lift ideas, art, and sentiment as often as people lift Virat Kohli’s face for their barbershop, it’s very important that this is, well, a wholly original look at emotions we all know very well. It is exactly this that makes your ear perk up when you hear something and can’t quite put your finger on why you find it ‘new’ or ‘for you’ in some way. Even when it sounds just like a million things you’ve heard before; he’s jilted on ‘Cries in Crocodile’, spent on ‘See You In Heaven’ and so on, but it’s a singular look at those things.

Finally, yes, the songs sound rather wonderful, if one can say that. ‘A Little Larger Than The Entire Universe’ is nine tracks and only 25 minutes long, but not a single song wastes a single moment dwelling on an idea. This really is ‘all killer, no filler’ from a songwriting standpoint in this specific genre, and it’s this that makes the album so very easy to listen to in one go. Perhaps the biggest compliment one can pay is that once you click play on the opener, it’s an effortless experience until the last note of the last song ‘Fela Kuti’, which has this song-playing-while-you’re-in-the-toilet-at-the-club kind of sound married to vocal samples from the man, a tiny suggestion to certain bits of afrobeat and an highly catchy guitar lead (which is a post-blues African-Western staple if ever there was one). It’s all, again, comfortable, really well done and has good replay value. ‘Phantom Baby’ is a quiet indie rock ballad with synths doing plenty of the work. Josh’s ability to compose really nice parts with a keyboard or controller really shines on this album (no surprises there). ‘Days I Will Endure’ is an album highlight in an album of highlights, a short but (surprisingly) deeply engaging reverb-drenched attempt at self-realisation. ‘See You In Heaven’ is one of those tunes you can sing along after one listen, and it has someone of the nicest ‘part-writing’ in any album this year, period. Every component of this one is very good.

The thing about ‘A Little Larger Than The Entire Universe’ is that while it isn’t inch-perfect, it’s perfect for the moment. The energy is definitely a bit low, like a quiet crying session compared to out-and-out bawling (we’ve all been in both places). While nice, the sonic palate is in a very specific lane to set a very specific mood that isn’t particularly punchy or direct. And if you like your love songs either highly dramatic or chaotic, this is not the album for you. However, counterpoint: this album is for almost everyone right now. A world of people feeling cut up about something or other and who need a bit of space to sit down and feel a bit sad or weary in peace – well, here is the album for everyone feeling that way. Since that’s almost everyone, counterpoint wins. And that is why, if it ends up reaching enough ears, this might be one of those albums from the scene that people all over the world end up liking or relating to.

The day we get the ‘An Indian independent musician made THIS!?’ video on YouTube with someone making the YouTube ‘thumbnail face’ for this album with a sad emoji and a ‘WOW’ next to it, we will know it’s made it. Just kidding.

'A Little Larger Than The Entire Universe' also has an arresting short film directed by Lendrick Kumar - watch that here.