Coke Studio 15 welcomes newcomers

“You try so hard but you don’t understand/ Just what you will say when you get home/ Because something is happening here but you don’t know what it is.”

– ‘Ballad of a Thin Man’ by Bob Dylan

If Coke Studio 14’s primary goal was to showcase the young, talented, and contem-porary artists from Pakistan’s burgeoning music scene, one could argue that the ongoing new season aims to unearth the raw voices from the folk traditions of the country.

The inaugural episode of Coke Studio 15 featured a collaboration between Noman Ali, Babar Mangi, Marvi, and Saiban. Each artist contributed their distinct talent, culminating in a song that reverently celebrated the rich heritage and cultural diversity of Sindh.

The arrangement and sound hamoniously blended modern and traditional instruments, creating a captivating fusion.

Was the success of the first episode merely a happenstance? Was Coke Studio responding to the primary critique of season 14, particularly the dearth of emphasis on folk music beyond a single song (‘Kana Yaari’)? It’s too premature to draw conclusions.

However, what is evident is that Coke Studio 15’s vision transcends genres and singular sonic motif. Perhaps in its endeavor to embody the tagline ‘Sound of the Nation,’ Coke Studio has embraced emerging talents and artists from diverse regions of the country, extending beyond the major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.

This is most evident in the second song released from season 15. The track ‘2 AM‘ boldly delves into universal realities, where one artist presents a contem-plation of the inherent restlessness within all of us, while the other artist responds, not overtly, but with a profound under-standing of universal uncer-tainties, addressing love amidst anxiety, as he draws inspiration from Sarfaraz Ali’s poetry.

‘2 AM’ does justice to its title with its expressive lyrics examining various issues such as greed, deceit, and lies, yet transcending them as the late-night hours offer a respite from it all, bringing a certain magic with them.

In the song ‘2 AM’, both of these artists showcase unforgettable voices that instantly captivate listeners, prompting an immediate desire to hit replay, and delve deeper into their music online. Their vocal prowess resonates deeply, leaving an indelible impression that lingers long after the music fades.

However, the episode’s greatest achievement – beyond the song’s inherent beauty, originality, sensitivity, and its impeccable sound structure – lies in the roots of both artists.

Star Shah, born Amir Shah, hails from Okara in Punjab, and he remains true to his roots, as does Zeeshan Ali, a third-generation migrant from India. “His musical heritage traces back to the spiritual rhythms of his upbringing and the ancestral echoes of his Sikh great-grandfather from Punjab.”

While the song is a marvelous blend of their musical expertise, both lyrically and sonically, you can truly see how the artists complement each other and flourish in Coke Studio 15 by watching the behind-the-scenes video that unveils their stories.

By introducing Star Shah and Zeeshan Ali to the growing roster of artists who have amassed significant followings since their debut on the show across various seasons and under different producers, Coke Studio has effectively addressed the lingering questions raised after Coke Studio 14. With its first two episodes, Coke Studio 15 has offered clarifications: it aims not to replicate the success of its predecessor and create room for narratives and stories absent in previous seasons.

The success wouldn’t be complete without recog-nizing the entire team’s contribution, particularly art director Hashim Ali’s skillfull execution of the music video’s concept (directed by Awais Gohar).

His work in striking a balance ensured the visuals aligned perfectly with the song’s theme, avoiding any unnecessary elements.

Whether it resonates with the audience or not is beside the point. Yet, the effort to move beyond a handful of contemporary names undou-btedly deserves recognition and invites repeated explo-ration of the audio-visual landscape crafted by a multi-tude of industry insiders under the meticulous guid-ance of producer Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, also known as Xulfi.

Coke Studio 15 stands as a testament to the ever-evolving tapestry of Pakistani music, weaving together threads of tradition and innovation into a vibrant mosaic that captures the spirit of the nation.