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| MAG MUSIC |
'Bol' – What The Most Anticipated Album Of  The Year Has To Say!
Movie soundtracks, specially promising ones are a rare commodity in Pakistan; this is the reason why high expectations and a huge dose of hype are linked to any venture that seems to be better or even different than the handful of films produced every year. With Khuda Kay Liyay, Shoaib Mansoor ignited hope for a better cinema among us; we loved Fawad Khan and were even more eager to see Atif Aslam playing the lead role in Mansoor's next big venture, another movie targeting social evils – this time of a different sort with Bol.
The music for Bol was finally released on May 30 after consecutive delays and the movie will be in theatres worldwide on June 24. Ever since it was announced that Shoaib Mansoor has set out to produce yet another movie, there has been a hefty amount of hype associated with it. The situation was further exaggerated when the news of singer Atif Aslam, VJ turned actress Mahira Khan, model/actress Iman Ali and Humaima Mallick being cast. Numerous leaks and a torturous wait later; the music has finally been launched – and it cannot be denied that the anticipation was worth it; Bol boasts a tasteful blend of varying genera of music, each piece worth savoring!
The album kicks off with 'Hona Tha Pyar', a love ballad featuring Atif Aslam, Faiza Mujahid and Hadiqa Kiyani on vocals. The video for this track was leaked months ago but were soon taken off websites; however, this leak resulted in heightening expectations and anticipation among loyal Atif Aslam fans. 'Hona Tha Pyar' is easy on the ears and surprises even those who never get tired of criticizing the male leads vocals, the song is perfect to unwind to and does not weigh you down with exaggerated lyrics. The track is produced by Shiraz Uppal, composed by Atif Aslam and lyrics are by Capt. Imran Raza.
'Sayyan Bolain' shifts the mood of the album completely as it changes from soft pop to a traditional classical dance number. Shabnam Majeed and Bina Jawad both have done a commendable job with vocals; lyrics and composition are by Shoaib Mansoor himself and the track is produced by Sahir Ali Bagga who has been associated with big names in the music industry like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and is the prime composer/producer for Fariha Pervaiz. It is reflective of the wide range of genera Sahir Ali Bagga has been producing. The song is filmed on Iman Ali, another vital character in the movie. 'Sayyan Bolain' might not sound any different than the rest of classical dance numbers where actresses enact courtesans from the Moghul era but it is highly possible that this is primarily a situational number and might become more popular once the movie is released.
 Atif Aslam returns with 'Aaj Bol Do' with Hadiqa Kiyani accompanying him. A pop rock number brings in energy to a previously slow paced album and is definitely one of the best in the album. Atif sings in his signature style, hugely contrasting the softer 'Hona Tha Pyar'. Lyrics for 'Aaj Bol Do' are by Ayub Khawar and composition is by Atif Aslam and Sarmad Ghafoor.
The best among this collection of songs is without a doubt Sajjad Ali's 'Din Pareshan Hai'. The enthralling, haunting music accompanied with the maestro's distinctively fresh vocals gives the album a renewed appeal. Sajjad Ali has carved out the composition and lyrics himself and lent the track that was originally for one of his own albums. The rearranged version is definitely better than the original one. This singer steals all the limelight for his well deserving track.
Next in line is 'Dil Janiya' sung by Hadiqa Kiyani, a fairly disappointing mix of Punjabi pop fused with traces of 'Hard Kaur' style rap. Hadiqa is effortlessly good but this track would have been well off without the rap. 'Dil Janiya' remains a mediocre song better suited for a novices album.
'Mumkin Hai' brings life back to the album and Ahmed Jahanzeb was definitely the perfect choice for a song such as this. The lyrics and composition are by Shoaib Mansoor himself.
The album does not live up to the expectations after a hit like 'Khuda Kay Liyay' but the fact that the two movies have different topics and cannot be compared to each other in any way possible. If even one of the tracks sounded a bit like 'Bandeya Ho' everyone would have come out with their own versions of theoretical critique. This album is a collection of limited songs ranging from soft pop to rap and even a classical dance number, a fairly good effort by all participating musicians. Faiza Mujahid has made an appearance the second time round with Shoaib Mansoor and has done a good job but if only there were newer additions among the female vocalists, the album would have been a class apart!
XXI Back Again With 'Taare'
The trio embarked upon their musical journey with 'Dil Ki Baatain' and promised better experimental music in their chat with MAG. They have lived up to their promise and six months after the release of their first track, they proudly boast two more songs 'Chalo Utho' and recently 'Taare'.
Describing what their latest track 'Taare' is all about, the young members of this group said, "The song defines what our band's true sound and true musical identity is since 21 is all about energy, funky beats, and liveliness. The song has been written for those people who define and weigh love and relationships on a scale of material gains and material world. It hits on those for whom relations means some sort of monetary or glamorous benefits. The message the song imparts is that feelings and emotions should be strong enough to break away the worldly glamour and material gains. Love has no pre-requisites, and those who do place such pre-requisites wipe outs the real essence of emotions and feelings.
XXI has been playing 'Taare' in all their live performances and claim that youngsters identify with the songs instantly. "It is a pure concert song, and we have been singing this song on almost all of our performances. It has been recorded at the studio of Ali Mustafa. We have decided to make a video for this song, since we want this song to be the first song hitting the masses."
Members from XXI felt it was their duty to help in their own way during the floods. They collaborated with Ali Hamza (Noori) and Taimoor Rehman (Laal) on a song titled 'Chalo Utho'. "Though the youth of Pakistan while taking the responsibility of helping the flood victims did a lot, however still we should not forget that people still need our hand. The song is very close to us as we always wanted to do use our musical skills to do something for a noble cause. Moreover the song is also important for our band since it features the biggest names of the music industry. At the present time, when Pakistani people's confidence and moral is extremely low, the song gives a message that when as nation we stood together, we were able to accomplish a lot of things positively. Similarly today again we can solve all the issues by being united and integrated".
'Taare', with its powerful guitar riffs and vocals seem to be influenced by Noori, the release of their video will unleash the kind of fan following this band has. The band plans to tour all major cities of the country this summer! |
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