Kalam Ink pours quiet heartbreak into “Promises,” a lo-fi emotional gem from the mixtape Isha. A soft yet weighty anthem that belongs in every anytime playlist.

Some songs break your heart. And some do it so beautifully, you hit replay.

Kalam Ink’s latest drop “Promises” from his emotional whirlwind project “Isha” is one of those sad songs you don’t skip. The ones that somehow make you feel a little better even when the story hurts. Released on May 22, 2025, under Mass Appeal, it’s lo-fi, it’s poetic, and it’s deeply, unapologetically personal.

It’s the kind of song you throw on while heading out in the middle of the day – soft, soothing, and easy on the heart. Even though it’s wrapped in heartbreak, it doesn’t drag you down. It floats beside you, letting you feel it without overwhelming it. “Promises” fits right into that anytime playlist – the one for chill drives, quiet afternoons, or when you just need something comforting in the background.

The Vibe Check

Musically, it leans into a warm, lo-fi soundscape courtesy of CJ Chirag – ambient textures, subtle drums, and nothing that gets in the way of Kalam’s voice. It’s more of a whispered confessional than rap track. Kalam doesn’t chase hooks; he holds space for his feelings. You don’t just hear this one – you feel it riding shotgun with you.

This isn’t that dramatic “sad boi” flex – it’s quiet pain. Mature grief. That kind of heartbreak that you carry silently, like luggage you never really unpack.

What’s The Song Saying?

Kalam’s writing feels like flipping through someone’s old love letters. There’s a quiet intensity – less “I miss you,” more “I still remember everything.” One standout line captures it all:

“Hum de nhi paye vakt aapko, tabhi vakt aapko le gya.”

Time. The one thing he couldn’t give, and the reason she left. The song is stitched together with memories and promises – the kind couples make when they’re still dreaming together.

And even after it’s all gone, he’s still holding those vows close. That’s the heartbreak here, not the end, but the loyalty that lingers.

He talks about building a future, raising a daughter, quitting vices, earning clean money, protecting her name, and never letting harm come to her. These aren’t just lines, they’re blueprints of the life they never got to live.

But the heaviest line? It’s not even said loudly. It’s in that last verse, where he admits that while helping everyone else, he couldn’t be there for her. And that cost him everything.

The Mixtape’s Emotional Arc

“Isha the last mixtape” is made up of four tracks – Regret, Iraade, Alvida, and Promises – each one a chapter in a slow, painful goodbye. “Promises” doesn’t necessarily close the mixtape, but it does feel like a quiet emotional apex. Not loud. Not angry. Just real.

“Isha” isn’t just a name. It’s everything he wanted, everything he lost, and everything he still respects. This mixtape feels like his way of closing a door gently, with reverence.

Final Thoughts 

Not all heartbreak songs make you cry. Some make you feel seen. And this one’s exactly that. The kind of song that plays when you’re on a solo drive. Or doing nothing. Or just trying to sit with your own thoughts without drowning in them.

“Promises” isn’t a breakup song. It’s still in love but letting go of the song. And that hits different.

Stay tapped in with Desi Rap Network – the frontline for everything real, raw, and revolutionary in Indian rap.