About Traces of You
Traces of You is a studio album by Indian sitarist and composer Anoushka Shankar. The album was released on 4 October 2013. It comprises 13 tracks and blends Indian classical music with contemporary and world music influences. The project reflects Shankar’s exploration of themes such as memory, loss, and emotional resilience.
Anoushka Shankar composed and performed the album, with contributions from guest artists. Norah Jones, Shankar’s half-sister, provides vocals on select tracks, including "The Sun Won’t Set" and "Traces of You." The album features instrumentation typical of Indian classical music, such as the sitar, tabla, and tanpura, alongside Western elements like strings and electronic textures.
The tracklist includes "Flight," an instrumental piece that showcases Shankar’s sitar improvisation. "Indian Summer" incorporates rhythmic patterns from Indian classical traditions, while "Maya" and "Lasya" emphasize melodic development. "Fathers" and "In Jyoti’s Name" are dedicated to Shankar’s late father, Ravi Shankar, and her aunt, Lakshmi Shankar, respectively. "Metamorphosis" and "Monsoon" further explore the album’s thematic depth through dynamic shifts in tempo and mood.
The album was produced by Anoushka Shankar and released under the Deutsche Grammophon label. It received critical attention for its fusion of traditional and modern sounds, as well as its emotional and technical execution. The release does not specify additional production or engineering credits.