As the rightful torchbearers to the century old tradition of Qawwali, ‘Sakal Ban’ adds to Rizwan and Muazzam’s colossal catalog of their signature sound marked by churning rhythms and apocalyptic finality. The doubled-over vocals and the throbbing beat of the drums by Aahad Nayani, coupled with the timeless kalaam of Amir Khusrau, the track is nothing less than an assault to ones auditory perception. The mood intensifies further with Tanveer Tafu’s guitar solo and once again establishes Rizwan and Muazzam’s peculiar flair of creating a sonic ocean only they’re capable of.
BTS Rizwan and Muazzam – Sakal Ban – Coke Studio Season 8 Umair Jaswal and Quratulain Balouch – Sammi Meri Waar – Coke Studio Season 8On their first collaborative single, ‘Sammi Meri Waar’ – the duo, Umair Jaswal and Quratulain Balouch (QB) stick close to their dual strengths. A folk Punjabi song that’s traditionally sung at weddings – the track has been masterfully entwined by the house band featuring a strong groove underlined by Sajid Ali’s flute and Tanveer Tafu’s moody Mandolin rhythm. Jaswal’s gloriously expressive voice fusing smoothly with QB’s signature deep vocals gives way to the hook of the song’s rising chorus making it a track that’s both catchy and irresistible.
BTS Umair Jaswal and Quratulain Balouch – Sammi Meri Waar – Coke Studio Season 8 Suraiya Khanum and Anwar Maqsood – Chiryaan Da Chamba – Coke Studio Season 8‘Chirya Da Chamba’ is the subtle beginning of the perfect soundscape where less is more. Suraiya Khanum’s exceptionally moving vocals add on to the earthy sound of the matka, a repetitive cycle of the piano and the guitar creating a seamless transition into a poem recital by Anwar Maqsood. The heartrending words penned by the legend himself is an overtly emotional letter to a father from his daughter who has been married off, reminiscing about the time she spent at her family home. A classic soulful performance recorded in the first take, the song will definitely evoke feelings that don’t appear on the surface too often.
BTS Suraiya Khanum and Anwar Maqsood – Chiryaan Da Chamba – Coke Studio Season 8 Ali Zafar – Rockstar – Coke Studio Season 8‘Rockstar’ is a funky, jazz-esque biopic with Ali Zafar’s sprightly old-fashioned songwriting and an addictive groove. With overblown violin riffs and Mannu’s sharp bass lines – there are plenty of twist and turns varying between modern harmonies to old-school classic desi rhythms midway through the song featuring the Dhol and Harmonium. The backing vocalists add a classic 60s texture to the track, all along complimenting Ali Zafar’s high-pitched and oft baritone vocals as he sings about scoring a hit every season amongst other ‘rockstar’ prerequisites.
BTS Ali Zafar – Rockstar – Coke Studio Season 8
