Arjun Kanungo on Having a Vision for Indian Pop on 'Industry2' and Foraying Into Japan

The singer, composer and producer's second album sees him collaborate with Japanese rapper Cyber Rui, plus singer-songwriter Shirley Setia and pop artist Zaeden

- ANURAG TAGAT

Just as we start our video chat with pop artist Arjun Kanungo in Mumbai, his poodle Kyubi jumps in the frame for attention, only to be pleaded off his lap with a laugh and an apology. The Mumbai-raised artist has just released his second album Industry2 – obviously, a sequel to his 2022 album Industry – as a means to do his own thing after years of making moves that advanced his career as a mainstream singer in India.

With the eight-track album, it’s the first time Kanungo went against current release norms and released two singles – The Weeknd-esque neon Hindi funky pop song “Danger” and the wistful synth-pop duet with Shirley Setia on “Sach Bata Mujhe” – and then put out the full record. Even while swimming against the tide, Kanungo did play it safe by releasing two lead singles which were fully in the realm of commercial pop. “Because I have noticed that while fans appreciate certain types of songs, I think the regular pop songs are the ones that really penetrate and kind of are able to travel,” he adds.

One of the reasons that there is a sequel to Industry