Kamakshi Khanna’s ‘Heartbreak 2020’ EP is a journey through modern love

Kamakshi Khanna’s ‘Heartbreak 2020’ EP dives deep into modern love’s chaos. Catch her live tour, starting August 23 in Bengaluru

In a 2021 interview, the Grammy-winning English singer-songwriter Adele said the best advice she had ever received was: “Keep your heart safe and your music dangerous.” These words became a guiding mantra for another young musician thousands of miles away. For Kamakshi Khanna in Mumbai, 2020 was tempestuous; it was a crucible from which her songwriting emerged, raw and potent. During this time, through her lockdown music series, Green Room Sessions, she began to unravel the complexities of love, loss, and the tumultuous journey of her twenties. Adele’s words did something within her.

Her lockdown series gave birth to her sophomore EP, Heartbreak 2020, which, in her words, “dives deep into the chaos of modern loneliness.”

Each song, she says, is a raw, real-life account of the various situationships and relationships she navigated through her 20s. “From awkward dates and mind games to short-term flings and unrequited love to still finding a sliver of hope, there is something in there for everyone.”

After the EP was released this June, Kamakshi is preparing to take it for a multi-city live tour, starting with Bengaluru on August 23.

“I’m excited to go on my own tour after performing for so long. What I’m looking forward to most is connecting with the audience. Performing live is a powerful way to connect with people personally. Sharing the stage with my incredibly talented band is another highlight.”

With a background in both Hindustani and Western classical music, Kamakshi blends pop, R&B, and folk influences into her music. Her first Hindi single, ‘Qareeb’, in 2020, has close to two million views on YouTube and over a million audio streams across platforms. Her performances at major music festivals and growing fan base solidify her position as a rising star in the Indie music scene.

With Heartbreak 2020, Kamakshi dives headfirst into a realm of raw emotion. “Every song on that EP is undeniably sad,” she admits. Yet, she is quick to point out that the project is more than just a wallow in despair. “I wanted to present heartbreak in a different light... to have fun with it,” she says.