Negotiating Oxytocin is the debut album of sixteen-year-old composer, lyricisit and singer Upamanyu Mukherjee. As well as debuting at number one on the iTunes India Top 100 albums chart, it’s caught our attention over here in the UK thanks to its emotional strength and thoughtful song writing.

By Graeme Smith

The album opens with Friend. Upamanyu’s distinctive sound is instantly striking. He has a deep, smooth voice that beautifully emotes the story of heartbreak in the lyrics. Musically, it feels right on the zeitgeist, bringing to mind the moody, stripped-back pop style of Billie Eilish. It’s a strong start.

Lonely keeps things stripped-back but has a brighter feel to it thanks to its twinkling keys. It builds to a powerful climax that’s an early highlight. I Love You is a gentle, soulful moment with raw and honest lyrics. It develops nicely into a dance groove. For You sits at the heart of the album providing a soaring, piano-led arrangement that will have your heart melting.

Smithereens opens devastatingly intimate before building to a sweeping pop chorus that’s another highlight. 7:55 is a fizzling, vulnerable, textured track where Upamanyu’s vocals are at their most soulful. It provides the album’s emotional climax before the short vignette of Fallen closes things with some fiery, rock-infused storytelling.

Negotiating Oxytocin is an album for the lovers out there. It’s an impressive debut from such a young talent. With his music, Upamanyu seems to be catching the mood of his generation, and it’s great to get his fresh perspective. I’m excited to see how his career will develop.

Lyrics, compositions, vocals and piano are all by Upamanyu. Guitars and harmonies come from Onkar Tarkase, as well as percussion programming and sound & mixing engineering. Mastering comes from Donal Whelan, and there are additional contributions from Abhishek Kate, Guarav Korgaonkar, and Amit Gadgil. You can listen to Negotiating Oxytocin below.