US-based Indian composer and sonic storyteller CR Srikanth returns with his boldest statement yet—“Dancing in the Dark – VS Pop™”—a sweeping, synth-soaked anthem that blends emotional introspection with retro-futuristic pop euphoria. Featuring the stirring vocals of Junior Paez, the track marks a defining moment for Srikanth’s self-created genre VS Pop™ (Very Smooth Pop), where cinematic orchestration meets the pulsing heart of vintage synthpop.
Crafted with meticulous care, the production evokes the spirit of ‘80s giants like Tears for Fears and Pet Shop Boys, but with a modern orchestral and ambient twist that feels entirely Srikanth’s own. Analog-style basslines rumble beneath shimmering arpeggiators, while electronic drums punch through a lush, expansive mix that wraps around the listener like a neon dream. This isn’t just pop—it’s immersive emotional architecture.
Lyrically, “Dancing in the Dark” taps into the universal ache of uncertainty. It’s a track about choosing movement over paralysis, even when the path forward is unclear. “It’s not about the literal darkness,” says Srikanth, “but the emotional kind—the unknown.” And it’s in this emotional grey space that the track shines brightest, urging listeners to reclaim their agency through rhythm, reflection, and resilience.
The chorus soars with cathartic power, Paez’s vocals echoing like a beacon in a storm, while ambient textures and orchestral swells hint at Srikanth’s rich compositional background. A Berklee College of Music graduate and composer of over 250 original works across orchestral, Carnatic, Hindustani, and electronic traditions, Srikanth brings a global, cross-genre fluency to every note.
With VS Pop™, CR Srikanth doesn’t just cross genres—he erases the lines entirely. And with “Dancing in the Dark”, he invites the rest of us to find clarity, one beat at a time.
