f audio streaming giant Spotify’s entry into Pakistan’s music scene has been valuable, particularly due to their initiatives such as EQUAL Pakistan (which is strictly focused on highlighting women artists), followed by RADAR Pakistan (that has unleashed some of the brightest and most popular artists of the times including Hasan Raheem, Taha G., Maanu and most recently, Hassan and Roshaan) they are not the only major player anymore.

YouTube, the most favored site for visual streaming content, has also entered the market.

But YouTube’s entry also means the official entrance of YouTube Music Premium.

Noted a press statement: “YouTube Music is a reimagined, made-for-music app and web player with official songs, albums, playlists and artist radio plus YouTube’s tremendous catalog of remixes, live performances, covers and music videos. With YouTube Music, users can listen to the latest hits, find songs that you love, stay connected to the music world, and discover tons of new music to enjoy on their devices. While all this is available for free in the ad-supported version of YouTube Music, users can also choose to have an ad-free music experience by joining YouTube Music Premium.”

Both digital streaming platforms (DSPs) are followed by a new player in the market: Sony Music Middle East, with Pakistan falling under its umbrella. It is helmed by Ahmed Zawar, who is an experienced and talented musician (with three albums to his credit as part of the group ESharp). Zawar holds the position of Associate Director Pakistan Repertoire. The difference between Spotify, YouTube and Sony Music is that the latter is a seasoned record label while the others are streaming sites.

However, none of these global players have kept local indie labels from creating and/or releasing music, often on behalf of the artists they’re representing. Among them is A for Aleph Records, an independent label formed by Umair Dar and Anas Alam Khan in 2020.

“For the second one, I’ve planned a collaboration with Ustad Javed Bashir sahib. It was Shariq’s idea to hire someone locally who can do authentic classical sargams in jazz as this has never been done before. Being a musician and producer myself, I’ve thought about this for the longest time and always wanted to do something like this so I tried to contact Javed Bashir and he was nice and open enough to do his magic on the second single.”

Since formation, they have released music by various artists on myriad DSPs. A for Aleph Records may not be a Spotify, but they do more than just release music. They not only promote artists that are signed to the label, but often are directly involved with singles and EPs as musicians.

A case in point is ‘Meri Rehna’ by Bhaloo, which is released by A for Aleph Records and also includes the co-founders playing some of the instruments and/or producing it. The credits confirm that ‘Meri’ Rehna’ by Bhaloo is written and composed by Shahab Hussain, with music composed by Anas Alam Khan, arranged by Anas Alam Khan & Shahab Hussain and music produced by Anas Alam Khan and Umair Dar. After ‘Meri Rehna’, the label has also released Eahab Akhtar’s single, ‘Seedhay Seedhay’ which also counts Anas Alam Khan as a contributor to the soundscape (by playing electric guitar and bass guitar).

Khan also told Instep that after releasing Shariq Lalani’s debut single, ‘Unmoved Mover’ from his forthcoming album, work on Lalani’s next single is underway, as well as an EP.

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Said Anas Alam Khan: “For the second one, I’ve planned a collaboration with Ustad Javed Bashir sahib. It was Shariq’s idea to hire someone locally who can do authentic classical sargams in jazz as this has never been done before. Being a musician and producer myself, I’ve thought about this for the longest time and always wanted to do something like this so I tried to contact Javed Bashir and he was nice and open enough to do his magic on the second single. The album has four to five songs in total, which we plan to release as singles.”

In essence, think of it as a one-stop shop for all your musical needs as an artist. A for Aleph Records is more than a label. It is a label helmed by people who are artists themselves with a state-of-the-art studio and a roster of exciting artists. When there is a gap, they step in to provide expertise

The music released by A for Aleph Records includes some of the most exciting artists of our time such as Malang Party, lesser known but equally talented artists too.

All this is in fact very good for the music scene because it is breaking the monotony that can come over the industry and artists.

The style of music continues to vary significantly. As a result, an artist’s music can go from local to multiple international streaming services, especially when pushed forward by indie labels like A for Aleph Records. Their latest spree of music releases can confirm that.

Things are looking brighter than ever for artists who have been neglected, considered low-key, or too obscure in the past.

– Anas Alam Khan on Shariq Lalani’s forthcoming EP