Categories: Music

Shreea Kaul Talks New Chapter and New Album ‘Cruel Intentions’

Shreea Kaul is stepping into a new chapter of her music career with her sophomore album Cruel Intentions, released on August 22. The Indian-born, Houston-raised singer has quickly established herself as one of the most exciting fast-rising names in global pop and R&B, carving out a sound that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Hailed as “one of the most exciting desis in music,” Shreea has built her reputation by combining contemporary R&B with South Asian influences, a fusion that has resulted in bold, romantic, and emotionally charged songs. With Cruel Intentions, she expands that vision, creating what she describes as “a cinematic 11-track journey through love, heartbreak, and self-discovery.”

“I created this album to share my journey in love and life thus far,” she explains. “It’s a coming-of-age project that describes how entering adulthood has come with realisations that turned a once hopeful girl into a bitter woman hardened by the brutality of reality. It’s crafted like the plot of a film — audiences are exposed to a naive protagonist and witness her develop into a darker character throughout the progression of each song, touching on youth, dreams, love, heartbreak, and acceptance.”

The record is built around viral singles that have already captured audiences, including Tere Bina, Care For You, and Khali Wali. Each track adds a new layer to Shreea’s sonic universe, which she has shaped with precision and intent. Lead single Hungama is perhaps the most striking example of her fusion of influences, effortlessly weaving between English and Hindi, pop and R&B, pulsing beats and fierce hip-hop flows, before bursting into South Asian-infused choruses.

That interplay between tradition and modernity is central to Shreea’s work. “My culture is a strong part of my identity, and therefore, a central piece of my music,” she says. “Indian culture is profoundly rich — the clothes, the music, the history — it contains so much color and depth. I want my music to expose the world to the raw talent and magic of my heritage.”

The arrival of Cruel Intentions comes at a moment when South Asian music is breaking through globally, with streaming of Indian music on Spotify having surged by more than 300% since 2020. Shreea’s rise is part of that larger movement, yet her sound remains distinctly her own.

Her singles have already proven their global reach. Tere Bina went viral, inspiring over 100,000 Instagram reels and 30,000 YouTube shorts, with its music video surpassing one million views. The success marked not only a breakthrough moment for Shreea, but also her debut as a director. She has since amassed over a million Spotify listeners, more than ten million streams, and features in outlets such as NYLON, BBC Asia, Earmilk, Rolling Stone India, and The Recording Academy.

With Cruel Intentions, Shreea is not just releasing new music; she is presenting a full creative vision. Drawing from influences as varied as Shreya Ghoshal, A.R. Rahman, SZA, Kali Uchis, Tyla, and Amaarae, her sound pushes boundaries while staying rooted in her identity. Live, Shreea’s presence has been just as magnetic, with performances alongside Jasmine Sandlas and even opening for T-Pain at SXSW. Her shows highlight the same qualities that define her music — boldness, intimacy, and an ability to connect across audiences and cultures.

Ahead of the release, Shreea will host a private listening event in Los Angeles on August 16, offering an early glimpse of a record that hopes to elevate South Asian music on the global stage.