Rabba Ho – Mulazim Hussain – Coke Studio Season 8
‘Rabba Ho’ begins with a simple note that crescendos into an enormous mountain of strings and rolling percussions. Mulazim Hussain’s vocal work is dynamic and honest – the perfect voice for the track’s instrumental barrage – as he swerves through the Rajasthani, Punjabi and Urdu lyrics with impeccable ease. In an orchestral climax, Sajid’s flute merge with the violin section, as the sound of the tabla and the Sitar resonates into a towering sound, all along Mulazim croons of love and longing in this classic love ballad.
BTS – Rabba Ho – Mulazim Hussain – Coke Studio Season 8
Kharhi Neem – Siege – Coke Studio Season 8
The splendor of ‘Kharhi Neem’ is how the timeless Sindhi folk tune originally sung by Mai Bhagi, performed on Coke Studio by Siege feels renewed. The house band really shines through within the interplay of the guitar as the track begins, and setting the rhythm with the string section providing the build up. Junaid’s vocals team up with the assault from behind Aahad Naayani’s kit, making this an unrelenting track. The song switches gears altering the melody slightly as Junaid enters with an ‘Alaap’ fusing with the sounds of the Darbuka, and the energized crescendo, reminiscent of early Siege.
BTS – Kharhi Neem – Siege – Coke Studio Season 8
Piya Dekhan Ko – Ustad Hamid Ali Khan feat, Nafees Ahmed Khan (Sitar) – Coke Studio Season 8
It does not take many seconds to find the soul in ‘Piya Dekhan Ko’ with Ustad Hamid Ali Khan holding the musical reigns in his unrestrained style of singing featuring the otherworldly blend of power chords on Nafees Ahmed Khan’s Sitar. The infamous track by Ustad Salamat Ali comes alive with Jaffer’s gentle piano swerving along the spry sounds of the Sitar and the light drum taps. In its glorious moment, the infectious groove of the raags precede a volcanic procession of jugal bandi creating an infinite feeling amidst the mesh of riffs, vocal jabs as the tune comes together, gripping the soul of the listeners.
BTS – Piya Dekhan Ko – Ustad Hamid Ali Khan feat, Nafees Ahmed Khan (Sitar) – Coke Studio Season 8
Aey Dil – Ali Zafar & Sara Haider – Coke Studio Season 8
‘Aey Dil’ opens with a purposeful soothing sound of the piano, an indication of an everlasting track that’s as glorious as expressive in its simple chords and beautiful words. It’s not long before the melody of this romantic duet makes way for Ali Zafar’s signature enamored voice, and seamlessly introduces Sara Haider as a solo artist on Coke Studio. The mighty overdriven guitar solo sweeps the track between the classic pop/rock sounds of the bygone era. Over Sara’s gospel styled vocals and Ali Zafar’s breathy voice, the song maintains a dreamy quality and a mesmerizing sway throughout the duration.
BTS – Aey Dil – Ali Zafar & Sara Haider – Coke Studio Season 8
