With Dil Sukoon, Havi leans into the unsettling truth that the people you love the most are often the ones who can hurt you the deepest. The song pairs a soft, almost soothing melody with darker, more complex emotions, creating a contrast that lingers. Alongside a visually striking, medieval-inspired video crafted with Third Fret, the project unfolds as a layered, open-ended narrative. More than just a release, Dil Sukoon reflects a shift in Havi’s storytelling, one that embraces ambiguity, introspection, and the contradictions of love.
Dil Sukoon feels like an emotionally layered track. Was there a real-life moment or experience that sparked this song?
Yeah, I guess it’s just the idea that the people you love are the ones who hurt you the most, and that idea has stayed with me for a long time. It’s a paradox, like many paradoxes in life. It’s just that one thing you can’t really seem to be less incredulous about. It’s strange and insane, but that’s how it is. The people you love the most are the ones who have the power to hurt you, and sometimes you can’t find peace with them or without them.
There is a contrast between beauty in sound and darkness in meaning. Is that duality something you are consciously drawn to as an artist?
Yeah, I am, actually. I feel like I have a very stark and somewhat unusual view of life, something that borders on realism, nihilism, and pessimism. I’m trying to find my way out of it because that is no way to live life, but I guess that’s a curse I have to live with.
How did the collaboration with Third Fret shape the final sound and visual direction of the project?
Third Fret is basically a band I’ve really enjoyed working with, and it reminds me of my old band days when you would sit down, jam out songs, and try to nail the melody. It was a very unique experience. It was fun, and I enjoyed it a lot. Also, of course, Third Fret are beautiful players. I can’t name them because they don’t want their identities out, but these guys are a force to be reckoned with. Tasteful, elegant, and extremely layered.
The video leans into symbolism and interpretation. Do you prefer leaving your work open-ended, or is there a specific message you hope audiences take away?
I don’t know. It is open-ended, and I want to leave it that way. Of course, I do have an explanation for it. It ties into the Havi story really well, but that’s for me to know and for people to attach whatever meaning they feel to it.
Where does Dil Sukoon sit within your evolution as an artist? Does it mark a shift in your sound or storytelling?
It definitely marks a shift in my storytelling, and of course, like every project, it brings its own learnings. The experience shapes you as an artist. With every song you release, you learn what works and what doesn’t, and how you can improve your sound and overall presence. So yes, definitely, Dil Sukoon is one of those major songs that has really shifted my perspective on making music, and I’m really happy with it.
Photos: Courtesy Team Havi