09 don't leave me (with Kiran + Nivi)
"don't leave me" is the most emotionally vulnerable moment in the album - the only track with vocals, making it especially intimate and piercing.
It conveys the deep sorrow of loneliness, the realization that everyone we love will leave sooner or later - either them or us. This is an unavoidable law of life, yet it is precisely what makes every connection, every touch, and every meeting priceless.
Lyrics
The lyrics express the fear of being left behind, of losing connection with someone dear. The voice hovers between a plea and despair, trying to hold onto someone who is slipping away:
Hurry
The voices in my head
Are making it all blurry
Couldn’t help but worry
Don’t leave me in the rain
So lonely
And nobody knows it
Can you take me home?
I wanna hold you close
Don’t leave me with the pain
Don’t leave me
Don’t leave me
The words sound like a cry from deep within the soul, left unanswered.
Atmosphere and Arrangement
The track opens with a mystical intro, immersing the listener in a twilight state. The main instrument here is the shehnai, a North Indian wind instrument with a unique, piercing timbre. It brings a meditative Eastern quality, while the Phrygian mode adds a mystical and fateful feeling.
The central section leans toward pop music but retains its depth, remaining in the emotional realm of melancholy and longing. The key element here is the breathtaking vocal harmonies of Kiran and Nivi, which transform a simple melody into a multi-layered, deeply felt experience.
The song’s finale returns to its mystical origins, repeating the intro - like a closed loop where loss is experienced over and over again.
Collaboration with Kiran + Nivi
This track was created in collaboration with Kiran and Nivi, sisters of Indian descent who became a viral sensation on TikTok and Instagram thanks to their incredible vocal harmonies. Their style is a fusion of traditional Indian vocal techniques and modern pop sound, making "don't leave me" unique and deeply moving.
How This Track Fits into the Album
After the reflections on multiple realities in "between realities", "don't leave me" shifts focus to the most painful aspect of existence - the inevitability of loss.
For the first time in the album, a human voice is heard, as if the soul is finally speaking aloud about its fear of loneliness. If previous tracks were about life, exploration, and discovery, this one exposes the deepest emotion - the fear of being alone, of losing what matters most.
"don't leave me" is a moment when a person looks directly into the inevitability of loss - and cannot hold back their tears.
It conveys the deep sorrow of loneliness, the realization that everyone we love will leave sooner or later - either them or us. This is an unavoidable law of life, yet it is precisely what makes every connection, every touch, and every meeting priceless.
Lyrics
The lyrics express the fear of being left behind, of losing connection with someone dear. The voice hovers between a plea and despair, trying to hold onto someone who is slipping away:
Hurry
The voices in my head
Are making it all blurry
Couldn’t help but worry
Don’t leave me in the rain
So lonely
And nobody knows it
Can you take me home?
I wanna hold you close
Don’t leave me with the pain
Don’t leave me
Don’t leave me
The words sound like a cry from deep within the soul, left unanswered.
Atmosphere and Arrangement
The track opens with a mystical intro, immersing the listener in a twilight state. The main instrument here is the shehnai, a North Indian wind instrument with a unique, piercing timbre. It brings a meditative Eastern quality, while the Phrygian mode adds a mystical and fateful feeling.
The central section leans toward pop music but retains its depth, remaining in the emotional realm of melancholy and longing. The key element here is the breathtaking vocal harmonies of Kiran and Nivi, which transform a simple melody into a multi-layered, deeply felt experience.
The song’s finale returns to its mystical origins, repeating the intro - like a closed loop where loss is experienced over and over again.
Collaboration with Kiran + Nivi
This track was created in collaboration with Kiran and Nivi, sisters of Indian descent who became a viral sensation on TikTok and Instagram thanks to their incredible vocal harmonies. Their style is a fusion of traditional Indian vocal techniques and modern pop sound, making "don't leave me" unique and deeply moving.
How This Track Fits into the Album
After the reflections on multiple realities in "between realities", "don't leave me" shifts focus to the most painful aspect of existence - the inevitability of loss.
For the first time in the album, a human voice is heard, as if the soul is finally speaking aloud about its fear of loneliness. If previous tracks were about life, exploration, and discovery, this one exposes the deepest emotion - the fear of being alone, of losing what matters most.
"don't leave me" is a moment when a person looks directly into the inevitability of loss - and cannot hold back their tears.
Kiran and Nivi Saishankar are twin sisters from San Diego who blend Indian classical roots with modern pop. Trained in Carnatic music and opera from childhood, they are known for weaving “swaram” tones into Western songwriting and creating a unique sound that bridges cultures.
They first gained wide attention with their viral covers on TikTok and Instagram, where millions connected with their fusion of tradition and pop. Their breakout moments include a cover of “Overwhelmed” and original songs like “1 last bye”.
In 2023–24 they released “Down to Earth”, which quickly climbed global streaming charts, and their track “Golden Chapter” was placed in Amazon Prime’s film Picture This. They have shared the stage with artists like Jason Mraz and Jonah Marais, and performed for audiences of over 10,000, including at Prime Minister Modi’s visit to New York.
Kiran + Nivi’s artistry has been recognized by major media such as Rolling Stone India and Good Morning America’s Asian American Inspiration List. Their collaborations and acknowledgements span from Jacob Collier and Alicia Keys to Jason Derulo and Lady Gaga.
With more than 5 million followers across platforms, Kiran + Nivi continue their mission: to bring Indian classical music into the global pop vernacular, offering songs that are both deeply personal and universally resonant.
They first gained wide attention with their viral covers on TikTok and Instagram, where millions connected with their fusion of tradition and pop. Their breakout moments include a cover of “Overwhelmed” and original songs like “1 last bye”.
In 2023–24 they released “Down to Earth”, which quickly climbed global streaming charts, and their track “Golden Chapter” was placed in Amazon Prime’s film Picture This. They have shared the stage with artists like Jason Mraz and Jonah Marais, and performed for audiences of over 10,000, including at Prime Minister Modi’s visit to New York.
Kiran + Nivi’s artistry has been recognized by major media such as Rolling Stone India and Good Morning America’s Asian American Inspiration List. Their collaborations and acknowledgements span from Jacob Collier and Alicia Keys to Jason Derulo and Lady Gaga.
With more than 5 million followers across platforms, Kiran + Nivi continue their mission: to bring Indian classical music into the global pop vernacular, offering songs that are both deeply personal and universally resonant.
