Prateek Kuhad’s journey continues to head in the direction it has been for some time, since the launch of his single cold/mess in 2018 — up, up and up. The singer-songwriter has released another love-filled EP titled Shehron ke raaz, containing four tracks. The EP is said to have pushed the singer’s boundaries in a subtle manner and celebrates a joyous and happy interpretation of love.

In the past, Prateek has made several milestones, from being nominated for European Music Award to being noticed by Barack Obama. Currently, the 31-year-old is in Seattle, working on his upcoming album. Here’s what he has told us about his new selection of tracks.

What prompted you name the EP Shehron Ke Raaz?

Well, it was named after the single on the EP. Usually the way I write my songs, it’s not like the title comes first or I have an idea for it first. It is just that I write a song and everything follows right after that. So I had written the song and that was the compelling line, ultimately becoming the song title and eventually when we were producing the album, the song felt like it captured the vibe of the EP.

What binds the songs that make up the EP?

Honestly, they are just all love songs (laughs).

The official note for the album says the listener is transported into the intimate and often concealed worlds that lovers create for themselves through the record. Can you explain this?

These songs have been written over the past few years and they have all been written at different points in my life. They all obviously carry slightly different emotions and stories but the common theme is that they are all about love and about the hopeful, happier, joyful aspect of love. That’s what glues it together. I don’t like talking about my songs in general. I think a lot of the words are pretty self-explanatory. I would rather have the listeners listen to the songs and come up with their own versions.

You have a unique and ambient mood to your music. Is there anything on this EP that your fans might find different?

I don’t think vibe-wise it’s drastically different from my older stuff; it’s pretty much in the same vibe. But there is some new stuff we have done. Like production-wise, there is some stuff that we have not used before in way of instruments, styles of production…. One of the songs, Tere hi hum, is written in (it’s like a nerd/technical thing) but it is written in 7/8 which is a weird time signature. I’ve just been exploring and kind of pushing myself to write in a different format technically. It’s subtle stuff; it’s not like most people are going to actually notice it.

A still from the video to the title track of the EP Shehron ke raaz

So you would say that you have pushed your musical boundaries with this EP?

Yeah, a little bit. Honestly, every musician — I feel — is always pushing their musical boundaries because it just gets boring if you don’t, beyond a point. We’re always doing that. But it’s not a different genre of music; it’s still my style.

You recorded the EP at the Yash Raj studio. Did the recording sessions go smoothly?

Yeah, it was great. I’ve worked there before. It was for my song Tum jab pass. It was very smooth actually. We spent five days… we did a lot of pre-production work in my home studio in Delhi first, so we had a plan of what we were recording in terms of parts, instruments and vocals. After that it was all about getting in the studio and executing.

You’re currently signed with Elektra Records. How has that benefited you?

First, it mainly depends on the sort of deal you are getting. “Signing with a label” is a very broad statement; there are many things that can happen to you. You can have different kinds of relationships with labels. It entirely depends on the relationship or contractual obligation. There are people who have signed deals which are pretty bad, some are good. It’s a type of battle I guess and that’s the most important thing. When I started out it was a dream to sign with a label. There are a lot of benefits to it but it really depends. My general advice would be — do be cautious. But if you get the right deal, then it is very helpful. You have a team that works with you, with a lot of experience. You get massive financial support, labels know how to market better, radio play and provide a lot of help on the business side.

Have you found time to step back and see how much you have achieved since cold/mess?

Yeah, I do it all the time (laughs). I was just looking back and I was doing it right now. I’m sitting in Seattle right now working on my next album and I am just really glad that I am here. It is kind of crazy because I grew up in Jaipur, which is a really small town. I had no exposure, no idea about how music works… I never had the confidence of getting into it in the first place. It was such a distant dream that I didn’t even try doing it. What I am doing today and the kind of people I am working with is insane.

Who are the people working with you and can we expect an album?

(Laughs) I don’t want to talk about who I am working with because we are still making the album. Hopefully it should be ready by the end of this year.