Clones by Akshara
A Sincere Dreamscape of Self Discovery
Written by Danielle Tranter
Since her debut EP was released in 2019, Akshara has refined her sound and artistic vision to create her most true-to-form project thus far. Released last Friday, CLONES is an homage to her upbringing, the strength of the women who came before her, and her individuality as a storyteller, musician, and Indian woman. By blending her traditional vocal training and love of Bollywood cinema with her Yebba and Kali Uchis-esque sound, Akshara has created a dreamscape that turns pillows into clouds and blankets into a cool breeze on a warm summer evening.
Each song on CLONES represents a different version of oneself. We are first introduced to young Akshara in the song theplaceicomefrom as she tells listeners about where her 28-year-long journey began in India. She paints a clear picture of feeling loved and appreciating tradition, learning from her culture the valuable lessons that she brought with her when she moved to America. Though the memories are specific to her, theplaceicomefrom pays tribute to anyone who clings to the memory of the place they once called home.
Akshara’s storytelling abilities reach beyond words as the project’s musical production pulls the listener even deeper into her world. Situated deep in a lively forest, the natural sounds and ethereal vocals of Tree Rings “[describe] the synchronicities we have with nature,” and is followed by Orbit (Outer Space Version), which “takes you away from the trees on Earth and into outer space,” reflects Akshara. Legendary Bollywood actress Rekha introduces the song by sharing how she found her way as a woman who once felt lost in the world, a feeling many of us know all too well. Her words are accompanied by the sounds of shooting stars and galaxies echoing from far away that isolate the listener from the outside world. Originally released a year earlier as simply Orbit, the 2024 version has a more prominent baseline and faster pace that encourages listeners to dance, whereas the 2025 Outer Space Version encourages introspection and meditation.
Back on Earth, Akshara collaborates with fellow Indian-American musician Avara on GLASS, a seemingly upbeat song about the crippling reality of the male ego’s negative impact on womanhood. Glass shattering and woodwinds whistling amplify men’s fragility while the women’s voices slow in response to the patriarchy’s chaos. If you haven’t heard the song yet, watch the music video alongside your first listen; the story is beautifully directed by Elise Schatz.
“Each video shows a different clone - Orbit is my most confident, self-assured clone, GLASS shows feminine rage, and Clones, the title track, is my most vulnerable version.”
Within Akshara’s world, Clones is the point in which “she accepts the multitude and complexity of herselves.” If this project were a movie, this song would be the scene after the stressful climax where the main character learns something about themselves and lives happily ever after. The lesson in this movie is to “make space for every clone that exists within [you], both the good and the bad,” which is what Akshara hopes listeners take away from their listening experience. It’s the song she is most proud of as she not only loves how it sounds, but it’s where she’s most vulnerable with herself and the listener.
Learning to love each of her own clones through the first five songs, the album’s final track is a love song for the person who loves all of her clones alongside her. LOST sonically captures the essence of self discovery found throughout the entire album while expressing gratitude for the person who allows her to “fall into herself in her most peaceful moments.” A love song may seem out of place for a project focused on the multitudes of one individual, but for Akshara, LOST is about the person she trusts to cherish every part of her as much as she does.
From the first listen, I could hear the passion Akshara and her collaborators put into this project. Now on my 15th listen, I still feel chills throughout my body as my head and heart float in serenity and my hips sway instinctually without me noticing. Each song has its own unique sound that blends together in the way each of Akshara’s clones come together to create her truest self. 14 minutes is not enough time to fully absorb the magic of this EP, so until she releases a full-length album, I will be listening to CLONES on repeat every night in hopes of having dreams as beautiful as these six songs are.
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