Varun Das Drops His New Album “Childlike” Inviting Listeners Into a Sonic Time Machine of Wonder, Healing, and Joy

What if you pressed play and the world was slowed down? What if one album could take you, not necessarily back in time, but to a sensation you didn’t even know you missed? “Childlike,” a debut album by drummer and composer Varun Das, does more than present a new artist; it opens a doorway into the most bare, creative edges of human life. Melding jazz, classic rock, and hard rock with uninhibited emotion and storytelling, “Childlike” is an 8-track call to arms to recapture the pieces of ourselves left behind in adulthood.

A Journey of Wonder: One Song at a Time

The album begins with “This Peculiar Land”, a dreamlike odyssey into the unknown, opening a book of stories where reason gives way and imagination runs the show. It’s the perfect introduction to the vision Varun Das had for the album. Then there’s “Childlike,” the album’s heartbeat and title track. The track is a wistfulness for when we were innocent in our happiness, and the world was full of promise.

From the defiant swagger of “Top of the Mountain” to the melancholy yearning in “Afar,” each song pulls its own weight. The pleasure of ties that cannot be broken in “Inner Circle” and the golden glow of “Steering With One” welcome listeners in closer to not just Varun’s story, but to their own.

By the time you arrive at “Ocean Through a Lens,” love itself has become a metaphor for growing up, a move away from thrilling infatuation and toward something firmer.. And on the final track, “Make a Move,” the album doesn’t end, it soars. It’s a reminder to move, to have hope, to live fearlessly, invoking the same fearlessness we had as children when we first plunged into the deep end.

Made with Love, Crafted with Passion

Part of what makes “Childlike” a standout album is the artist features it holds. Nick Marziani, Mike Hilgendorf, and Almog Sharvit each bring their unique flavor and texture to the album. Varun Das and their chemistry are evident, especially on a track like “Top of the Mountain,” where structure and improvisation play a game of frantic tag. The album also features Dayna Stephens bringing soul to the Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI) on “Steering With One,” and Charles Altura on “Ocean Through a Lens.” 

“Childlike” May Be Needed Now More Than Ever

We’re living in a chaotic society filled with overstimulation and busy schedules. “Childlike” offers a soothing refuge and simply offers comfort, reflection, and a reminder of a much simpler time. The album can be seen as a way of nostalgia and therapy to rediscover the tender moments and recapture the wonder that encouraged us to dream without limits.

“Childlike” is an album for just about anyone who’s ever longed for a moment of peace and a reminder that the best things in life have a way of coming from the simplest of moments. Whether you’re a hardcore jazz old-timer, a rock fan with a soft spot, or just someone who could use a breath of fresh air, this album was made for you.

Stream Varun Das’ “Childlike” Today: