hen Kashmir won the revived Pepsi Battle of Bands season, we anticipated great things from the band, including a thrilling debut album. They delivered on all counts. From music videos and live shows to their first solo record, Khwaab, Kashmir has captivated us with their clever compositions, relatable lyrics, and emotionally resonant vocals.

While many bands have faded after a single album, Kashmir, a six-member group, has released a second album with great style. They have ensured that Zindagi wasn’t a mere repetition of their debut but was built on new ideas and took risks. Several band members also have worked on music outside the band, but this has never caused any problems within the group.

One prime example is Mr. Bilal Ali.

Mr. Ali remains Kashmir’s chief lyricist and singer. Despite the band’s enduring closeness, he has collaborated with several musicians including Natasha Baig and Sinan Fazwani (‘Bhaagoon’), Uzair Ahmed (‘Aasman’), Adeel Tahir and Hassaan Bin Shaheen (‘Manzar’), Maria Unera (‘Jeena Nahin’), Zahid Qureshi (‘Har Qadam’) and many more.

It’s clear that Mr. Ali believes in the power of collaboration, and nearly all his solo songs reflect this belief.

Produced by the talented and underrated Janoobi Khargosh, ‘Dil’ is a moving lament about what life would be like with the absence of a loved one. Its lyrics explore the significance of a person, but there’s a deeper meaning that initially surprises you in the chorus. You might think, this resonates with me, but not necessarily because of a loved one in this context of a relationship. As you listen repeatedly, the transient becomes lasting. It’s something you can relate to on an unconscious level, like the soundtrack to certain life moments that aren’t black and white.

Like many who favor one song over another, ‘6 Mahine’ – a solo single released in 2023 – was a personal favorite. But Mr. Ali has surpassed it with ‘Dil’, a new release that he wrote, composed, and sang. Produced by the talented and underrated Janoobi Khargosh, ‘Dil’ is a moving lament about what life would be like with the absence of a loved one. Its lyrics explore the significance of a person, but there’s a deeper meaning that initially surprises you in the chorus. You might think, this resonates with me, but not necessarily because of a loved one in this context of a relationship.

As you listen repeatedly, the transient becomes lasting. It’s something you can relate to on an unconscious level, like the soundtrack to certain life moments that aren’t black and white.

Bilal Ali’s thoughtful lyrics and captivating vocals carry the song, while Janoobi Khargosh, as producer, knows how to work with such a vulnerable singer.

The result is a sound that doesn’t detract from the song. In fact, it’s exactly how such a song should be produced. The aesthetic elements align so perfectly that if you listen without distractions, you’ll likely appreciate it.

Many popular songs today can leave you wondering why they’re so popular. But ‘Dil’, in its accompanying music video – in addition to the audio - which shows Mr. Ali in various emotional stages within a single room, restores your faith in new music and makes you realize that not all new music is simply garish, concert-tailored fluff.