Sankarshan Das

There have been times in the last year when it has felt like world peace has never been so far out of reach. Pandemics and political fury reigned supreme on the news throughout 2020, but it is perhaps because of this that Sankarshan Das felt it necessary to drop his new single and music video “The World Peace Formula” on us before the year was over. A heartwarming message of solidarity and unity amidst a year that has seen neither find much quarter (outside of a corporate wastebasket, that is), “The World Peace Formula” is old fashioned folk rebellion at its most accessible. 

Official Website: http://www.turnontheworld.com/ 

The strings in this track embody a certain old school, Cat Stevens-esque energy that immediately makes me think of classic tunes like “Peace Train” or even Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” but I’m really hesitant to call this song a direct homage to a bygone age. There’s definitely a lot of inspiration being drawn from that era of singer/songwriters in America, but by and large there’s too much of an alternative aesthetic afforded to the harmony here for it to be a throwback. “The World Peace Formula” is simply another chapter in the book, as opposed to a foreign publication altogether. 

No matter what your year has been like or what tragedies you’ve had to overcome on your own, Sankarshan Das’ "The World Peace Formula” might be just what you need to cap off 2020 on a positive note. You don’t need to be the biggest folk music enthusiast around to get into its melodic intricacies, and moreover, I actually think this is a good example of crossover musicianship born out of a message more than it is a sophisticated style of play. Das’ story is an important one, and I can’t wait to learn more about it in the future. 

**********

Trace Whittaker

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

12/2020