Jun
Indie Corner
Apeksha Pai returns with Aaina, a haunting reflection on self, doubt, & quiet growth
Mumbai, 18th June 2025: After nearly two years of creative quiet, self-doubt, and what she candidly calls “a long sulk,” singer-songwriter Apeksha Pai returns with her fourth single—Aaina. It marks not just a new release, but a quiet re-entry into herself. Stripped-down and emotionally transparent, Aaina is a song born out of stillness, hesitancy, and the slow rediscovery of her voice.
Released on Friday the 13th of June, Aaina is a haunting, deeply personal reflection on self-image, aging, and the quiet evolution of identity. Now available across all major streaming platforms, the track is a minimalistic yet emotionally potent piece that invites listeners to sit with themselves—and maybe even forgive what they find.
“‘Aaina’ means mirror in Hindi, and that’s exactly what this song became for me. I wrote it during a phase where I started feeling a disconnect—like something had quietly left. Maybe it was my optimism, my hope, my old belief that only good things happen. There was doubt. There was fear. But also, a quiet acceptance was beginning to grow inside me. I wasn’t that energetic anymore—and maybe that was okay. Maybe slowing down, letting go of the ‘ideal,’ and just being was the beginning of growth’, says Apeksha.
Stream the song here:
“It’s a song I wrote on all those times the mirror did not validate me back. It’s about insecurities, acceptance and a tiny bit of self hate”, she adds further.
Apeksha’s vocal performance captures an emotional tension with raw honesty and restraint—letting every breath, every word, carry weight. It’s not a song trying to fix you. It’s a song that sits with you.
Guitar by Atharv Sinha, minimal and perfectly placed, supports the story without ever overshadowing it. The mix and production by Sai Keshav gave the track its stillness and shape—holding space for all that was left unsaid.
