You may or may not be able to find Pakistani music on your television screens but that doesn’t mean the music scene is slowing down. If anything, the re-emergence of cinema has added more zing to the ever-expanding music scene.
Khumariyaan boys are back with a new song called ‘Peshawarin’ which is as hynotic as it is inviting and makes for a mustlisten.
Soundscapes
Instep looks back at some recent music releases and live shows.
You may or may not be able to find Pakistani music on your television screens but that doesn’t mean the music scene is slowing down. If anything, the re-emergence of cinema has added more zing to the ever-expanding music scene.
Keeping that in mind, our story, this week, begins with Shuja Hyder who is back in the limelight with a new track called ‘Bhool’. The track is featured on the soundtrack of the upcoming horror film, Aksbandh and is sung and composed by Hyder himself.
‘Bhool’ is the kind of song we have come to expect from Hyder: a soft-slow rock lovelorn ditty. While the film’s trailer doesn’t exactly inspire much optimism, the tune is one that fits the template of a contemporary love song with ease, if you’re into that sort of music. It’s not out of the box but I suppose it’s more situational than experimental.
While Germany is hosting a handful of independent music producers from Pakistan (they are making their presence felt with shows and a compilation record), other names like Zeb Bangash and Meesha Shafi are also taking Pakistani music and culture forward as both women are playing shows in the international arena.
Zeb Bangash, having sung tracks for films like Ho Mann Jahaan, Fitoor as well as the drama serial Diyar-e-Dil in recent memory, is playing with Sandaraa and touring the United States. In a span of one week, Sandaraa has played shows in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore et al. Those wondering about Sandaraa’s phenomenal debut EP can head to Patari where the full thing is available for streaming.
On the other hand, Meesha Shafi who is having a momentous year (having returned to television after more than half a decade with Mor Mahal) is also playing shows across North America.
More closer to home is the Cornetto Pop Rock gig series that will come to its inevitable conclusion this week. After shows in Karachi and Lahore, the gig series will take place in Islamabad on May 21 and will feature iconic names like Noori to name just one. Even bigger than these shows is news that three new singles featuring Ali Azmat, Noori boys and Umair Jaswal will be releasing in the coming weeks, as part of this particular venture.
And while we’re on the subject of mainstream, Abrar-ul-Haq who has been making a name for himself courtesy his association with Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf is back in the music scene with a new album called Aithay Rakh. Though it feels out of the blue and more like a redundant throwback from the ’90s, the effort of putting out an album should be commended.
Shuja Hyder’s ‘Bhool’ is a power ballad, full of melancholic blues and a contemporary tone. Given the fact that it’s a soundtrack, it’s more situational than experimental.
While Umair Jaswal dominates headlines with his debut performance in Mor Mahal, brother Yasir Jaswal isn’t far behind having collaborated with ace producer Sarmad Ghafoor and Overload front-man and drum master Farhad Humayun for the song, ‘Hum Tum’, which is doing rounds of the interwebs these days.
Other new tunes to look for include the Udaari OST feat Farhan Saeed and Hadiqa Kiyani and the Khumariyaan track, ‘Peshawarin’ which has been produced by Sarmad Ghafoor. In the case of the latter, every song is a miraculous piece of music and merits a listen. ‘Peshawarin’ in that sense is no different and is a wonderful addition to Khumariyaan’s repertoire that also includes songs like ‘Tamasha’ and ‘Bela’.
Abrar ul Haq has re-emerged on the music scene with a new album that sounds a lot like his past records.
In music shows, Nescafe Basement’s much-talked about and celebrated fourth season has come to an end. Under the supervision of producer and mentor Xulfi, the group of aspiring musicians who made the cut for the fourth season truly delivered. With a combination of covers and some decent covers, the show was this year was all about the fine art of creative collaboration.
And while several artists continue to churn out their version of ‘Sufi music’, one name that does command attention is that of The Sketches.
Spearheaded by Saif Samejo, the band’s new album, the transformative Tu is a significant leap in terms of sound and texture and brings to life the poetry and kalaams of Bhagat Kabir, Ghulam Farid, Bulley Shah and Sachal Sarmast. Find it on Patari, now.
