Intimate, relaxing, and complex, that’s “CLONES,” the new EP by singer and songwriter Akshara. With just six songs, she manages to build a self-contained and unchanging universe that breathes peace, one that anyone can enter to shed their anxieties and excesses.
Stream “CLONES”
“theplaceicomefrom” welcomes listeners into this journey. It stands as a heartfelt tribute to her roots and beliefs, the foundation of her essence as both a person and an artist. In it, the singer shares glimpses of her story, her journey from India to the United States, and the small family details that shaped her character and narrative. The track is accompanied by home videos from her childhood, filled with a deep nostalgia born from sincere vulnerability.
“Tree Rings” and “Orbit (Outer Space Version)” stand out for their immersive sound and creative use of natural audio elements, like the chirping of crickets, that place the listener in a calm night setting, while other, more industrial textures add a cosmic dimension in keeping with the interstellar theme.
“GLASS,” on the other hand, dives fully into Indian music, with its traditional rhythms and intricate melodies rooted in spirituality, evoking the country’s classic genres such as bhajans, ghazals, and qawwali.
“Clones,” the title track, takes calm to the next level, serving as an ode to rest and disconnection. Finally, “LOST” closes the EP with natural sounds and soothing strings, but with a subtle pop sensibility that positions Akshara at an intriguing intersection between the traditional and the commercial.
Behind her hypnotic voice and magnetic sound, Akshara is an artist trained under the tutelage of legendary composer A.R. Rahman, from whom she learned the art of composition and film scoring before refining her style at Berklee College of Music. Now based in Los Angeles, she has become one of the most fascinating voices in experimental alt-R&B, blending the influences of SZA, Jhené Aiko, and FKA Twigs with the spirituality of her Indian roots.
Her intimate and cinematic aesthetic has drawn the attention of artists and media outlets, including M.I.A., Priyanka Chopra, Nora Fatehi, and Elle India. Her music has also inspired more than 10,000 creators across social platforms to feature it in their content.
With “CLONES,” Akshara reaffirms her identity in the most intricate way possible by dissecting it and turning it into art. Each track serves as a reflection on the multiple versions of oneself, the silences we inhabit, and the masks we learn to embrace.
The project radiates feminine strength through calm and softness, a gentle reminder to slow down, look inward, and recognize that sometimes, pausing is an act of courage in a world that worships productivity.
