Jasleen Royal: ‘I don’t think about algorithm while creating songs’

One of the ways for a musician to evolve is by marrying their sounds with that of other artistes. Jasleen Royal has consistently sought out collaborators who expand her musical vocabulary. Her latest single, Inaam, sees her team up with Badshah; together they offer a romantic ballad about feeling content and safe in a relationship. In a chat with mid-day, Royal reflects on how their chalk-and-cheese energy led to this track, and why algorithms don’t dictate her music.

Excerpts from the interview.

What inspired the single?
Inaam comes from a space of longing, something I’ve been carrying within me for a while. I don’t think I’ve met that person yet, but I’ve definitely felt the emotion. It’s a quiet longing, not heavy but a hopeful one.

Badshah

Do you remember the moment in the studio when you felt, ‘This is it’?
For me, it always begins with the melody. With Inaam, the moment the melody felt right, I got excited. When something clicks intuitively, I know I’m on to something. After that, I don’t overthink whether it will work or not because that’s not in my control. I focus on being honest to what I’m feeling.

This song is different from Badshah’s numbers. How is he as a collaborator?
It was a fluid collaboration. At first, I was a bit hesitant to share my ideas because we come from different backgrounds, but he was extremely open and encouraging. He kept pushing me to go for it. There was no judgment in the room. We didn’t try to fit into each other’s worlds; we just met somewhere in the middle. It was also nice to see him step into a slightly different sound.

Jasleen Royal at Coldplay concert in Mumbai in January 2025.

Were you tempted to tweak the song or add a hook to make it a commercial hit?
Not really. It was important for me to protect Inaam’s simplicity. I kept working on it until it felt complete to me, not until it felt more commercial and something that would work for the algorithm. I don’t think like that while creating songs. There’s also a stage where you have to let the song go and trust it to find its own journey.

While making music, do you think of how it will sound in a live setting? Does that influence your creation?
No. For me, it’s always about vulnerability and authenticity. If the emotion is real when I’m creating it, it will find its place, whether that is in someone’s headphones or in a live space.