There will always be a connection to albums that tell a story. Listeners will hunger for the next track to see where the journey goes. This also demands multiple listens. An artist that is known for this style of storytelling songwriting is our newest friend Reeya Banerjee.
The Hudson Valley-based storyteller and indie rock powerhouse delivers a stunning sophomore album with This Place. Following her acclaimed 2022 debut The Way Up, this 10-track record is a raw, cinematic exploration of the emotional imprints left by the many places Reeya Banerjee has called home. Blending urgent lo-fi guitars, driving rhythms, and her signature raspy vocals, She has crafted a narrative-driven masterpiece that resonates with vulnerability and strength and connection.
A Tapestry of Places and Emotions
This Place is a guided expedition through Reeya Banerjee’s personal and artistic evolution, with each song serving as a snapshot of a city or moment that shaped her. Co-produced with longtime collaborator Luke Folger, the album balances timeless indie rock production with raw, confessional storytelling.
From the opening track, “Picture Perfect,” Banerjee sets the stage with scuzzy guitar riffs and anthemic choruses that explode with energy, wandering between sparse verses and soaring hooks. It’s a perfect introduction to her sonic world, where tenderness meets urgency in a way that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.
Banerjee’s storytelling roots—honed through her background in playwriting, film, and creative nonfiction—infuse This Place with narrative depth. “For the First Time,” with its crystalline guitar sounds, captures the fragility of new beginnings, inspired by her post-college experiences. The track’s hopeful melodies and vivid lyrics make it a standout, showcasing her ability to turn personal moments into universal anthems. “Misery of Place” is another gem although on the much edgier side. It is a riotous blast of infectious indie rock that’s relentless yet poised, blending raw energy with sharp lyricism about the weight of memory.
On “Runner” we get more of each side. The track radiates indie pop charm with a punk-infused sound. Emotive vocals and driving rhythm echoing influences like Bruce Springsteen and 90s power pop. Reeya Banerjee’s crisp voice cuts through the mix, infusing each track with confidence and vulnerability. The band brings a cohesive, live-wire energy, making every song feel like a moment captured in a sweaty club show. The production, while lo-fi, is polished enough to let her storytelling shine through. Every guitar strum and vocal nuance is perfectly placed.
The Heart of This Place
What makes This Place so compelling is its unflinching honesty. Banerjee’s songs don’t shy away from hard emotions—loss, hope, and the relentless pursuit of self-understanding—but they’re delivered with a fearlessness that’s infectious. Tracks like “Snow” lean into hazy, noisy-ambient textures, creating a cinematic breadth that’s breathtaking.
The album’s closer “Upstate Rust,” has been the breakout single and a blatant homage to U2’s shimmering guitar-driven sound. Inspired by her experience of leaving home as an adult, the song’s hopeful melodies and The Edge-inspired riffs unfold into a grown-up love story about navigating life’s changes together. Lyrics like “Needed a thicker skin, so we grew it” showcase Banerjee’s remarkable maturity, making the track a cathartic closer that’s both intimate and cinematic
This Place is Reeya Banerjee at her most powerful, delivering an indie rock record that’s as emotionally rich as it is sonically vibrant. For fans of narrative-driven music, or 90s alt-rock, this album is a treasure trove of raw feeling and catchy hooks. Indie Band Guru celebrates artists who pour their hearts into their craft, and this is an artist that does just that. She has created a record that’s both a personal journey and a universal call to find home in the chaos. This Place is a reminder of music’s power to connect and heal.
Keep up with Reeya Banerjee on her WEBSITE and follow her on INSTAGRAM.
