Instep recounts new music albums and announcements, circa 2020.
Those who say music is in trouble need to take a closer look at the development of the scene. Between the counterculture movement as well as mainstream efforts and those straddling somewhere in-between, we have enough new music to count on. And remember, this is just the first quarter of the year.
Artist: Kashmir
Album: Khwaab
Release: March 2020
Having released music videos for ‘Parwana Hun’, ‘Khwaab’, ‘Kaghaz Ka Jahaz’, ‘Pari’ and the all-new ‘Dhoop’, directed by Umar Anwar, the band is planning to drop its debut album, titled Khwaab, this month. It will also include bonus tracks. And may or may not contain all of their Pepsi Battle of the Bands singles. The great news is that the album is finally coming and the band has already started work on their second album.
Artist: Bayaan
Album: Suno
Release: February 2020
Led by vocalist Asfar Hussain – who recently emerged in Pepsi anthem ‘Khel Ja Dil Se’ alongside Fawad Khan, Aima Baig, Haroon Shahid and Kashmir’s Bilal Ali, Bayaan won ahead of Xarb during season three of Pepsi Battle of the Bands. Since then, they have also released the music video of song such as ‘Bekhabar’ (directed by Ali Sattar) from their 9-track alt-rock-folk debut album. It was released at the prominent Lahore Music Meet 2020 in Feb 2020, i.e., last month. Known for singles like ‘Farda’, ‘Din Dhalay’ and ‘Hum Nadaan’, they first appeared on the horizon with Nescafe Basement. The winning group of the third edition of PBOTB, their new album, Suno, has some surprises so test them out; their music is available on multiple digital platforms.
Artist: Various Artists
Album: Paanch – The Mixtape Volume 1
Release: 2019
It is said that we don’t have variety in music but Paanch – The Mixtape offers not only engaging music; it offers variety both in sound and in artists with not one but five completely different acts featured.
Chand Tara Orchestra (CTO) bring diving experimental intervention; Jimmy Khan reminds us why we adore him so much; Sounds of Kolachi enter a new realm of soundscape that is elating; Mughal-e-Funk, a super-group get bring a storm of music and Natasha Baig proves ‘Shikwa’ was not a fluke with ‘Dil Lagee’.
Artist: Strings
Album: Thirty
Release: 2019
Strings started dropping singles in 2018 and continued to do so in 2019 with the futuristic, uber-catchy, pop gem ‘Raat Shabnami’ with a music video by Yasir Jaswal. The eight track album that features all songs accompanied by music videos, with some written by Bilal Maqsood, is one of their brightest sparks in pop music. Most songs were unloaded in 2018 but ‘Raat Shabnami’ released in 2019, making it eligible for Best Album Award, circa 2020.
Bilal Maqsood lends solo vocals to songs like ‘Mil Gaya’ and ‘Urr Jaon’ (reminding one of songs like ‘Khirki’ and wondering whether these songs are his best, almost causing cognitive dissonance ) with the rest song by Faisal Kapadia (and Bilal Maqsood lending vocals to some tracks). The overall result is spectacular. Their recent Salt Arts concert, also featuring Shamoon Ismail and presented by Salt Arts was a knockout. The band not only sang their famous singles but some songs off Thirty and received a strong response. It is proof that the album is worth investing your time in. They are the pop champions of music and Thirty, their sixth studio album, released without the support of a record label or a corporate brand is a big move on their part.
Artist: Shamoon Ismail
Album: Juice
Release: 2020
Having released Brown Sugar EP containing four tracks and Magic EP containing another three tracks in 2019, Shamoon Ismail opened the New Year on an auspicious note. He released a new EP called Juice that contains two lovely songs: ‘Rung’ and ‘Bad Girl’. If on the former he sounds vulnerable, in the latter, the vibe and the soundscape changes completely, which is the hallmark of a good artist, who is constantly growing. Shamoon Ismail was on fire as he performed in Karachi during a Salt Arts show that also featured Strings. He had the audience in the palm of his hands as he sang a curated set. Juice has concluded as an EP but the songs are quite something. As a producer and songwriter, Shamoon Ismail is getting sizzling and that is reason enough to invest time in his new Juice EP.
Announcements for the year ahead
Among upcoming albums and EPs, we have knowledge that Quaid Ahmed is working on his debut EP tentatively scheduled to release this year.
Ali Noor is working on a solo album, tentatively scheduled to release this year.
Umair Jaswal is working on his solo album. No release date yet.
"Meesha Shafi’s debut EP is set to release in 2020. In addition, some electric collaborations are expected."
Malang Party is working on its debut album.
The D/A Method hope to release their third album, Sanctuary, later this year.
