We have all felt it at some point. That quiet, suffocating pressure of trying to fit into a box someone else built for you. The weight of societal expectations, family traditions, and the constant demand to be agreeable can quietly build up inside. For many of us, navigating self-worth in a hyper-curated world feels like walking a tightrope. But what happens when you finally decide to step off the rope and take up space? What happens when you finally snap?

For the independent artist behind the electrifying debut single Time’s Going By, that snapping point became a powerful catalyst for art. Fusing the nostalgic melodies of Bollywood with the gritty, distorted rebellion of alternative rock, she has created an anthem for anyone trying to find their authentic voice.

We sat down to explore her incredible journey of self-discovery, the cathartic power of feminine rage, and how stepping out of her comfort zone helped her unlock her true potential. If you are currently navigating your own identity crisis or simply want to feel something deeply authentic, her story will resonate with you.

From Ambala to Alternative Rock: A Journey of Self-Discovery

To understand the sound of Time’s Going By, you have to understand where the artist started. Growing up in Ambala, a small town with limited exposure to alternative music, her early musical diet consisted almost entirely of Bollywood and Punjabi music. The rich melodies and deep emotional phrasing of those genres became her native tongue.

But everything shifted when she moved to Delhi. Moving to a sprawling urban center often sparks a journey of self-discovery, and for her, it cracked the world wide open. She joined a rock band and was suddenly thrust into the raw, unapologetic worlds of punk, emo, and metal.

“The raw energy, the attitude, the grit—it was an instant connection,” she recalls. It completely flipped her world and changed how she consumed music. The curiosity sparked by this gritty underground scene pushed her to explore jazz, blues, and dream pop. Coming from a place with limited musical exposure actually made this discovery phase much more intense. It shaped the very foundation of how she approaches her craft today.

The Clash Between Tradition and Authentic Living

Finding your passion is one thing. Fighting to keep it is another. Like many young millennials and Gen Z individuals, she found her career ambitions clashing directly with traditional family expectations.

In her family, career choices for women were closely tied to what was considered suitable for marriage. The unpredictable, chaotic world of an independent musician did not fit into that neat, traditional framework at all. When she chose music over the expected path, it sparked immense conflict at home.

“It led to endless arguments, resentment, and a sense of helplessness,” she shares. “But there was also hope, passion, and a stubborn belief that this is where I belong. So I held my ground—and the fight goes on.”

Time’s Going By was born directly from this emotional battlefield. Every single line in the track pulls from her lived experience. It captures the heavy frustration of feeling stuck and the agonizing reality of not being allowed to make decisions for your own life. It is the sound of a woman who has had enough.

The Anatomy of Feminine Rage

One of the most striking elements of Time’s Going By is its exploration of “feminine rage.” In a culture that often conditions women to be quiet and accommodating, embracing anger can feel incredibly taboo. But here, rage is not positioned as something toxic. It is positioned as a tool for liberation.

“To me, feminine rage is about taking space and being real and chaotic, yet clear in whatever you want to say,” she explains. “It doesn’t always have to be loud, but there’s just so much to be angry about! Some of it deeply personal, some of it shared by so many women.”

She views this rage as a natural response to everything that builds up quietly over time. In the track, she uses screaming as a vocal technique to express that tension beautifully. Layered with chaotic, heavy distortion, the scream stops being mere aggression and transforms into pure catharsis. It is a massive emotional release.

For listeners trying to connect with like-minded souls and navigate their own daily frustrations, this track offers a safe space to feel that anger. The scream is not just anger; it is freedom. If you walk away feeling that release alongside her, the song has done its job.

Blending Bollywood Nostalgia with Punk Rebellion

Musically, Time’s Going By does something incredibly clever. It bridges the gap between two seemingly opposing worlds: the dramatic, melodic sensibilities of Bollywood and the aggressive, distorted textures of punk and rock.

For the artist, balancing nostalgia and rebellion is not a calculated marketing move. It is pure instinct.

“Bollywood and rebellion—both come very naturally to me,” she notes. Because she grew up immersed in Bollywood and Punjabi music, melody and emotion are woven into her creative DNA. But rock and punk gave her feelings a clear direction and perspective. Freedom was always on her mind, and heavy music provided the vehicle to achieve it.

When she creates, the balance happens organically. The nostalgia bleeds through the vocal melodies, while the rebellion crashes through the distorted guitars and heavy themes. A hard rock edge layered over Bollywood emotion simply feels right to her. It is a stunning reflection of her own internal duality.

What Is Next: A Genre-Fluid Future

If Time’s Going By is the opening statement of her career, the future looks incredibly bright and wonderfully unpredictable. She refuses to be boxed into a single category.

Looking ahead, she sees her music evolving in a highly genre-fluid direction. While she remains deeply influenced by rock, she is also drawn to dream pop, blues, jazz, and Hindustani classical music. She is currently exploring different directions for her upcoming releases, which include psychedelic textures, a Hindi blues track, and even a Punjabi song with a slightly more commercial edge.

But no matter what genre she experiments with, one thing will remain constant: her emotional honesty. She is committed to releasing songs that feel deeply personal, raw, and genuinely reflective of her life.

By staying true to her roots while fearlessly exploring new territory, she invites us all to do the same. So, take a moment today to listen to Time’s Going By. Let the build-up wash over you, embrace the chaos, and allow yourself to feel the freedom in the release. It is time to find your authentic voice.

Follow Malvika on Instagram