ape Monze Records (CMR) has a noteworthy history. The Karachi-based indie and electronic music label is named after a lighthouse called Cape Monze, which was constructed somewhere in 1914 and is located off a beach past Karachi city limit.

To its founder, Daniel Arthur Panjwaneey, two ideas are very important to the functioning of this label. Lifting the counterculture industry and being transparent and honest about how they go about things.

Both ideas are working as CMR announced the release of multiple music efforts for the month of May.

Earlier in May, CMR released the music video of ‘Udaas’, which was written, performed and produced by another thrilling artist, Misbah, and featured indie music’s beloved child, former Sikandar Ka Mandar founder and now a solo artist, Nadir Shahzad Khan. It is, as the name suggests, about a deeper sadness. Perception, however, can be power. What you draw from the music video of this song is how you see the human condition. But that’s not the only release from the label that counts Sana Nasir as its art director (in addition to her own work as an artist).

Another fascinating release dropped by the label last month was a track called ‘Gardish’ which is a collaboration between Honeyjamn featuring singer-songwriter Wishaal from Tarbooze with Daniel Arthur Panjwaneey aka Alien Panda Jury/Kukido as the producer. To further divide roles of artists involved, the rap verses are written and performed by Honeyjamn, chorus verses are written and sung by Wishaal Khalid and the song is produced, mixed and mastered by Daniel Arthur Panjwaneey.

“‘Gardish’ was initially born from a feeling of guilt, for having left the country for the West, and abandoning all naive childhood plans to ‘serve Pakistan’. The first half of the song echoes uncertainty about questions that arise from this; How can I go ‘serve’ a country where I don’t even feel safe? Will I serve if I can barely survive? If I do go home, will I be brave enough to leave my bubble of privilege? Am I just a sell-out too?” – Honeyjamn on some of the questions and emotions that envelope the single

Such songs have a longer shelf life than your average release not just because of the musical flair it offers but also because it grapples with hues of emotions. It is also a reflection of personal perception including how some emotions can gnaw at you. ‘Gardish’ is a song that makes us ponder about many questions, wrapped in enigmatic musical elements.

Speaking about ‘Gardish’, Honeyjamn explained the initial ideas and feelings about the song. Said the artist, “‘Gardish’ was initially born from a feeling of guilt, for having left the country for the West, and abandoning all naive childhood plans to ‘serve Pakistan’. The first half of the song echoes uncertainty about questions that arise from this; How can I go ‘serve’ a country where I don’t even feel safe? Will I serve if I can barely survive? If I do go home, will I be brave enough to leave my bubble of privilege? Am I just a sell-out too? The chorus, sung by Wishaal, breaks through this tornado of thoughts with a simple message of hope and resilience, evoking community and empathy.

“The second stanza of the song doubles down on a sense of betrayal, and traces the repetitive pattern of our troubles as a nation, new names - same old political games. In a hopeful turn of thoughts, it reveals that our gardishein often circle back to us as individuals, our potential for kindness and accountability.”

For all the same figures in the political arena, Honeyjamn also remembers (on an optimistic note) the lasting legacies of people such as Sabeen Mahmud and Perween Rahman. It also brings the song to a full circle and makes for perfect listening in these dark, dark times.