1. Which veteran Pakistani rock singer recently returned with the new single ‘Yahan Wahan’?

a) Omran Shafique
b) Ali Azmat
c) Bilal Maqsood
d) Faraz Anwar

3. Which producer is behind Hasan Raheem and Izzchughtai’s latest track ‘Rangeen’?

a) Jokhay
b) Rovalio
c) Umair
d) Talal Qureshi

 ‘Tuu’ by Bilal Khalid featuring Ittehad Band switches between which two Pakistani languages?

a) Punjabi and Pashto

b) Urdu and Punjabi

c) Punjabi and Balochi

d) Urdu and Sindhi

4. Hania Aamir made her musical debut with which song?

a) ‘Pablo’
b) ‘Rang’
c) ‘Haseen’
d) ‘Shor’

Answers

1. The correct answer is b.

Ali Azmat is back and he has not exactly chosen a quiet way to return. The former Junoon frontman recently released ‘Yahan Wahan’, a roughly five-and-a-half-minute song that takes aim at human suffering, oppression and the many crises playing out around the world. The accompanying music video takes those ideas into dystopian territory. It opens with Azmat trapped inside a secure facility before moving through imagery of human clones, cryonics, brainwashing, surveillance, destruction and resistance. The video combines
live-action direction with generative AI, creating an unsettling backdrop for the song’s darker message.

And no, ‘Yahan Wahan’ is not exactly the sort of comeback single you put on for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
But then again, breezy has never really been the point with Ali Azmat.

The song questions what kind of life people are living in a world where freedom, happiness and basic
human dignity can feel increasingly fragile. At its heart, it is a call to break free from the “shackles” of cruelty and oppression. Directed by Abdullah Haris, the video may divide opinion, but it fits the song’s focus on technology, control and a world that feels increasingly artificial. More importantly, ‘Yahan Wahan’ is not a
one-off single. Through his social media, Azmat has confirmed a new album is in the making, so fans of his solo music can rejoice. As for the single, without the sharp music video, it is a strong song, one that Azmat hasn’t released in quite some time and it’s good to see him return to his roots.

2. The correct answer is d.

‘Tuu’ by Bilal Khalid featuring Ittehad Band is exactly the type of track that gets hopelessly stuck in your
head after just one listen. Centred on romantic longing, the song blends Urdu and Sindhi with a mix of
English. Khalid and Zain-ul-Aabdin handle the vocals, while the writing credits are shared among Khalid,
Zain-ul-Aabdin, Sufiyan Ahmed and Salal Ahmed, with production by Seventean.

The song works so well because it is incredibly easy-going and danceable. The main hook is built around
the Sindhi phrase “Tu munjhi ahain” (“you are mine”), giving it a memorable Sindhi pop identity. It’s playful, romantic and thankfully, doesn’t take itself too seriously.

The music video sticks to that mood, with the band appearing in everyday settings including an arcade and a grocery store rather than in some grand cinematic setting. And perhaps that is where the charm lies. There’s no complex storyline or deep lore here, just a group of friends, a catchy track and a city to wander through. It is undoubtedly one of the best Sindhi pop songs we’ve heard in quite a while and we’re rooting for this team all the way.

3. The correct answer is c.

Coke Studio Nu.WAV’s second release, ‘Rangeen’, pairs Hasan Raheem and Izzchughtai over sleek production by Umair. The song is all about daydreams and yearning, spinning a quick, passing encounter into a full-blown imaginary romance. The music video kicks off with Hasan Raheem on a Lahore rooftop during Basant, where he catches a glimpse of a girl and immediately starts scripting a whole love story in his head. Izzchughtai jumps in to offer the other perspective, playing nicely with the blur between fantasy and reality. It is colourful and polished, but the idea feels a bit familiar.

The more interesting question is what Nu.WAV actually signifies for Coke Studio’s identity. When Coke Studio first began, part of its appeal was that it bridged contemporary pop with Pakistan’s deep folk, classical and qawwali roots.

‘Rangeen’, however, is firmly in the contemporary space. Again, there is nothing inherently wrong with making a modern song, but the problem is that these sounds are already well represented elsewhere, so what exactly makes this Coke Studio? Umair’s beats are pristine and the vocal chemistry is definitely there, but it misses that distinctive musical fusion we usually look forward to. It makes you wonder if it would have been better to just wait for a main season that brings back some of the traditional sounds fans miss. The song is also similar to Hasan Raheem’s Velo Sound Station 3 appearance and when too many brands get in the business of music, does it take away some of the artistry that made the artist so appealing in the first place? We are happy to see some spotlight go to Izzchughtai but otherwise fail to see the purpose of this version of Coke Studio or the rebranded Nu.WAV.

4. The correct answer is a.

Hania Aamir picked a rather unexpected way to make her musical debut. Instead of playing it safe with a soft, radio-friendly pop ballad, the actor caught everyone off guard with ‘Pablo’, a fierce Punjabi hip-hop track that, according to credits, she wrote and composed herself as she marks a decade in the entertainment industry.

The song opens with a piano line before dropping into a heavy rap flow, with Aamir confronting the constant public scrutiny and online criticism she faces. She directly addresses people who call her “fake” and tackles the chaotic nature of her own fame. It’s refreshingly raw. She isn’t trying to build a perfect pop image here, she’s simply talking back to the haters.

Aamir also took the director’s chair for the music video, with Mohammad Mohtashim handling associate direction, cinematography and editing, while Kumail Abbas handled the track’s production.

But the biggest surprise comes in the outro. Indian reality TV star Rakhi Sawant pops up with an unexpected, motivational voice note, calling Aamir a lioness and encouraging her to face her online critics rather than be afraid of them. Whether ‘Pablo’ is just a one-off song or the start of a serious music career is anyone’s guess, but Aamir certainly knows how to create a buzz.

In the age of generative AI tools and auto-tune, the question remains, how much help did she get or is the voice truly her own? If it is, she could have an alternative career in music, but that remains to be seen. If ‘Pablo’ was meant as an effort to take on haters and critics, she’s done it with flair.