f there is an artist who can be counted as the latest shimmering spark in mainstream music, it is Shae Gill. She is neither resting on her laurels nor banking on one platform to promote her musically. That she is very much part of the larger Coke Studio narrative speaks to her talent.

One of the breakout voices from Coke Studio 14 (the other being Kaifi Khalil) with a little song called ‘Pasoori’ for which she collaborated with Ali Sethi (and featured in a brilliant music video directed by Kamal Khan), Shae Gill has stayed in the limelight since that period. It is due to merit, and releasing singles as well as collaborating with other artists fairly regularly.

In terms of Coke Studio alone, the music series hasn’t released its 15th season just yet, but Shae Gill has become a favourite of the platform it seems. After ‘Pasoori’ in 2022, she first made an appearance on Coke Studio Global in 2023.

As part of the platform, Shae Gill and Turkish artist Evdeki Saat collaborated on a ‘collision’ song called ‘One Love’. Sung in Turkish, English and Urdu, the brave and refreshing single was perhaps just the start for her. Promoting different cultures, it was radically different from the notions that drove ‘Pasoori’. The idea behind ‘One Love’ was about bringing different cultures together and promote friendship beyond man-made boundaries.

Now Shae Gill is back with a solo song called ‘Mera Sawera’ on Coke Studio Global where she outshines everyone and everything backing the song - with just her voice doing the trick. As she sits on a couch minus the elaborate set that Coke Studio’s local version provided in ‘Pasoori’ before standing up and singing before a mic, it feels like a tale that presents the case that it is perhaps Gill’s own story of rising from obscurity to enormous, unfathomable fame. Or that is just my interpretation. And interpretations may change, but the longevity of a good song stays and ‘Mera Sawera’ has that rare quality.

A light ditty, it is reminiscent of solo pop songs that appeared on Coke Studio Pakistan in its early seasons, and there is nothing wrong with this one. She holds back as a singer when the song requires it and goes for a higher note when required.

A breakout star from Coke Studio 14 with a song called ‘Pasoori’ for which she collaborated with Ali Sethi, Shae Gill has stayed in the limelight since that period. She has worked with the likes of Asim Azhar, Abdullah Siddiqui, Atif Aslam

and several others.

Even as she makes the heart sing in ‘Mera Sawera’, what is fairly obvious is that this 20-something artist is in control of her vocals. Kudos must be given to Coke Studio for finding her and introducing her to the nation and the world.

The thing about Shae Gill that makes her so remarkable is that in all her songs since ‘Pasoori’ (where she had to go toe-to-toe with the mighty Ali Sethi) she holds her own or surpasses everyone else in a song. She outshined Asim Azhar in ‘Bulleya’, and held her own in a social campaign, also featuring Atif Aslam. Ditto for another song called ‘Left/Right’, a collaboration ft. Ali Sethi, Abdullah Siddiqui, Maanu and Shae Gill. She held her own opposite Evdeki Saat in ‘One Love’ as well.

Even in a campaign for a certain brand, she added flair to it while collaborating with the iconic Bilal Maqsood. Shae Gill stole the show in a Hassaan and Roshaan single where she brought a vibrant, earthy tone to the collaborative single, ‘Sukoon’.

When she was named Spotify’s EQUAL Ambassador and emerged as the most streamed female artist in 2022, she had said: “I feel incredibly humbled and honored to be representing all the women in the music industry who are making the world a more equitable place. I believe that women need more of such opportunities.”

With a voice as lush, earthy, edgy and one that Shae Gill can control like a pro, ‘Mera Sawera’ is one of those songs that will lift you up even on a dreadful morning, which is not only found in reality but also through dramas where tragedy is used as tropes. Drop those episodes if it is pulling you down and listen to ‘Mera Sawera’. It is not a song that thrives on outdated ideas nor belittles a tragedy in the name of creating awareness and showing reality. With a trailer released on Coke Studio Pakistan, we’re already looking forward to the new season.