Spotify, the global music app, officially made its way to Pakistan last month. It offers a strong library of Pakistani music among some 70 million songs available to people. Having spent its first official month in Pakistan, several statistics have emerged.

Predominately and unpredictably so, Atif Aslam emerged as the most streamed artist in the month. Similarly, ‘Gumaan’ by Young Stunners was the most streamed song in the month.

Other statistics have been released by Spotify as well. Three out of five songs streamed belong to Young Stunners, making them one of the hottest acts around.

Asim Azhar perched himself in the third spot after Atif and Young Stunners as the most streamed artist. The late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is fourth on the list while nephew Rahat Fateh Ali Khan takes the fifth spot.

Among five top streaming cities, Lahore takes first position followed by Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad respectively.

As for the top 5 tracks, they include Young Stunners (‘Gumaan’), Asim Azhar and Zenab Fatimah Sultan (‘Ghalat Fehmi’ from Superstar), Rap Demon and Young Stunners (‘Don’t Mind’), Atif Aslam (‘Kadi Te Hans Bol’ from Velo Sound Station) and KR$NA and Young Stunners (‘Quarantine’) respectively.

What’s obvious is that Young Stunners are definitely making a mark on music listeners at large. It’s about time that people take note of this hip-hop act.

What kind of payment structure Spotify will offer to local artists remains to be seen but we hope they are paid as per their streaming data.

Roots release ‘Daira-e-Ufuq’
along with a music video

Rutaba Yaqub, who fronts the music group Roots, has shown her talent as a vocalist time and again. From appearing on Pepsi Battle of the Bands to her solo EP titled Shit I’ll Never Finish, Rutaba continues to push the envelope as an artist. Her delivery of Roots’ new song is nearly flawless.

The electro-synth band stays true to its ideas of electro synth while delving deeper into creating a sonic landscape that is both innovative and carries a hint of the band’s signature.

‘Daira-e-Ufuq’ features Shamsher Rana as producer with Daud Ramay on drums and music video by Kauser Raza. In other words, Roots roped in big guns to make sure the song sounds the way they want it to while giving visuals that are not mundane.

The combined result is an edgy song that is a far cry from run of the mill pop songs; the ingenious music video shows a deliberate move by Roots to engineer a memorable one in a sea of music videos and singles releasing regularly.

Roots are an excellent, underrated band with Rutaba Yaqub offering unique potential as singer-songwriter. This song is a glimpse of that fearless effort and potential.

Natasha Humera Ejaz unveils new track
as Stupid Happiness Theory

Natasha Humera Ejaz makes and performs music under her own name and via the moniker Stupid Happiness Theory. From film music to solo EPs to assisting in audio production to producing music herself, Natasha has accomplished a great deal.

Her latest delivery as Stupid Happiness Theory is a song called ‘Have a Little Faith’ which she wrote, composed, arranged and produce with veteran music producer Sarmad Ghafoor mastering the track.

In these difficult times that may not be going anywhere anytime soon irrespective of the availability of vaccine for Covid-19, this is a song that is built on several questions.

“Were you flying away from yourself? Were you waiting for someone else, To help you out? Was it trying to be by yourself Or was it trying save yourself That tired you out?” are the questions embedded in the narrative of the song and it does make you wonder.

As described on YouTube, “This Renegade Future Pop tune feels like a whimsical journey through space and time, laden with field recordings the producer collected from the real world below.”

The music video is also a work of art.

The song is attached with a backstory that explains the music video in great detail.

“The accompanying video by the Karachi-based prodigal Mariam Ali follows the story of young Gigi. She is going about her day as per usual when she is visited by Puka, an extraterrestrial entity, capable of possessing objects and sometimes even other life forms. As Puka possesses and flies off with Gigi’s prized Uke, she runs after it but finds herself changing ways she hadn’t expected. The video chronicles her transformation into Stupid Happiness Theory - a universe traversing Experience Jockey. This Doctor Who meets Alice In Wonderland meets Arrival origin story is just the beginning of her adventures through the cosmos.”

Stupid Happiness Theory’s latest is a remarkable song that shows just how much she has grown as an artist, composer, lyricist and producer. Check it out!

Stupid Happiness Theory single artwork by Iman Shahid