Renowned for his nostalgic, off-kilter beats, Hashparker’s debut album ‘Doordarshan’ left a lasting impression on listeners, with ‘Rang Tarang’ standing out as its crowning jewel. Featuring Indore rapper Notreal, the track swapped introspective, thought-provoking industry disruptor for midzone rap grit, and it was a knockout musical punch. Consequently, a joint album between the pair was always an exciting prospect. The journey to ‘Ye Duniya Tumhari Hai’ began when both musicians rekindled their creative spark after a year-long hiatus. Soon enough, the idea of joining forces took root, leading to the birth of their debut collaborative album, ‘YDTH.’

Since then, they’ve kept busy. Despite their job commitments, they somehow found time to tap into their creative chemistry again, with Hashparker producing beats and Notreal adding lyrics. The result is ‘YDTH,’ a testament to their collective effort, musicality, and penchant for crafting experimental playlist toppers.

The first taste came by way of ‘Duniya Freestyle,’ an off-the-wall, beat-heavy track featuring a blast from the past. The percolating rhythms continue with ‘Paisa,’ uplifted with pitch-mixed tombs and blazing 808s. While Notreal shines on ‘Faasle,’ alongside guitar strings and a chorus that harmonizes with the backing soundscapes, ‘ToddFodd’ finds a sudden change in tempo. It’s a track that builds up with funk-infused spiraling beats and a Bollywood sample from Lata Mangeshkar’s popular song, ‘Aye Hawa Mere Sang Sang Chal.’ The track also serves as a reminder that, beneath all the layers of ‘YDTH,’ sometimes all you need is a fast and furious mosh pit-inducing rager.

‘Roshni’ unlocks the enigmatic side of the album, best experienced in a dimly lit, smoke-filled room; driving piano keys, and haunting vocals that creep towards the four-minute mark. On ‘Sunshine and Honeybee,’ the emcee raps about love while he weaves a beautiful narrative on his imaginative fabric, solidifying his knack for poetry. Meanwhile, Hashparker’s impressive arrangements feel like the icing on the cake — with psychedelic sonics, ‘Anaar Aam,’ too, comes packed with blissful, witty lyrics. The album’s outro grips you with a haunting tension that demands to soundtrack the denouement of a show.

There’s an underlying consistency to ‘YDTH’ that eventually shines through, albeit concealed beneath its unsteady, kooky nature.

Listen to the Album Here