INSTEP Magzine




1. 'Chupke Sey Aaye' Atif Aslam

Atif Aslam's Hungami Halaat may not have released just yet, but new songs (without any real information) from Atif keep popping up on the web. After the internet release of 'Hungami Halaat', it is 'Chupke Sey Aaye' that has come out from local music scene's man of the moment, Atif Aslam and it is another testament of his talent. He may not have impressed critics with Doorie but he made it big here and across the border. But here, all mannerisms of Doorie have gone and one finds Atif Aslam of the good 'ol Japari days but with better vocals.

'Chupke Sey Aaye' is not a predictable pop ditty as was 'Doorie' and 'Hum Kis Galli Ja Rahein Hai'. It is a definite improvement. Essentially a pop/rock tune, it is softer in sound and is a sentimental ballad that grows on you. With a heartbreaking wordplay that goes, "Kab tak bharo khud mein junoon/Tum na milo tau kaisay sahoon/Apni wafa pey hai tau yakheen/Tum saath na do tau kya mein kahu?" it highlights how Atif has improved as a singer. Right now, it remains unclear if this is a rough version of the song or the fact that it may or may not be a part of Atif's upcoming album, Hungami Halaat, but it is a classic Atif Aslam song in every way. So, download it NOW! The superstar of Pakistani music has delivered a fantastic new song.

2. 'No Surprises' Radiohead

In an album as complex and textured as Ok Computer, 'No Surprises' is ample proof of Radiohead's ability to create a simple song with a highly addictive melody and a relatively low-key sound structure. With a morbid and somewhat strange wordplay, "A heart that's full up like a landfill/A job that slowly kills you/Bruises that won't heal/You look so tired-unhappy/Bring down the government/They don't, they don't speak for us," the song, according to Thom Yorke (front man Radiohead), is about a man who is fed up with the way his life is turning out. Radiohead can never do wrong. As far as electronica-meets-rock school of music goes, these guys remain unbeatable. Radiohead – who first met success with 'Creep' in 1992 - introduced musical experiments on Ok Computer (1997), creating random noise and ambience (also present on 'No Surprises') that has now become their signature. They picked up a Grammy for Best Alternative Album and after Ok Computer, they are considered pioneers of the 'alternative' genre. Download this song now.

3. 'Fable' Robert Miles

Winner of World Music Award and Brit Award in 1997, DJ/electronic tech man Robert Miles scored his biggest musical hit with 'Fable' in Europe, America as well as clubs all over the world. With piano as his instrument, 'Fable' boasts of musical grandeur. With turn tables, electric tech weird beats and a constant flux in pace, it is a moody number that deserves a hear. Born in Switzerland, Robert Miles as a child has been playing the piano. He made it big in 1995 with the Dream Work Project, off which his first single, 'Children' was a runaway hit, establishing Miles in the electric dance genre as a great addition. 'Fable', which is slightly similar to 'Children' compounded this success and reached platinum status all across Europe. A great instrumental, it gets two-thumbs up!

4. 'Maki Madni' Derek Trucks Band featuring Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

Drum roll please, 'Maki Madni' is a track that highlights Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's vocal dexterity to the max. Off Joyful Noise, the first major band debut of Derek Trucks Band, 'Maki Madni' is a sufi chant that is a true fusion of eastern tradition and western eclecticism. With a clear, impressive guitar riff in the middle and a soft yet beautifully constructed percussion-heavy sound, it is hypnotic. Critically acclaimed and just 23, Derek Truck has an ability to fuse jazz and world music exceptionally and in this song, he does so expressively. Far from self indulgent, Derek goes for raw substance in his guitar-riffs and releases tension as the song progresses. It works like a charm.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, the nephew of groundbreaking and legendary qawwali great, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, takes after his Uncle and while it maybe years before he becomes as great as NFAK, he does have exceptional command over his voice, encapsulating emotions as he goes along. Interestingly though, this track was not recorded together between Derek Truck and RFAK. Post 9/11, Rahat could not acquire a visa to the US of A. Consequently, he recorded vocals for 'Maki Madni' in Pakistan and shipped it off to Derek, who worked on the track in Atlanta, USA. Inspite all this, 'Maki Madni' is absorbing. It remains to be seen when Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's album, Charkha, will see daylight but Bollywood it seems has realized his worth. With collaborations for Kalyug, Paap, Omkara, Daur and the latest Abhishek Bachchan starrer Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, RFAK it seems is slowly climbing the ladder of playback singing in Bollywood. For now though, download this song.

5. 'Liz on Top of the World' Dario Marianelli

Featured on the background score of Oscar-nominated film, Pride and Prejudice, 'Liz on Top of the World' is an instrumental that deserves a hear from all music aficionados. With an orchestra-like sound and a delicately addictive melody, it is just a soft, moody and beautiful music piece. It is musically vivid and quite soft. The climax comes slowly, slightly abruptly, which makes it a very unpredictable composition. Dario Marianelli, an Italian music composer shot to fame after his score for Pride and Prejudice won him an Oscar nomination in 2005. From thereon, he went to compose soundtrack for film like The Brothers Grimm and the absolutely brilliant music behind the politically motivated V for Vendetta.