O Yaara | Coke Studio Pakistan | Season 15 | Abdul Hannan x Kaavish,
Coke Studio Pakistan has been a musical oasis for more than a decade now, a vibrant platform where tradition seamlessly blends with the freshest beats. Season 15 continues this legacy, and one song in particular stopped me in my tracks – “O Yaara.” This isn’t your typical Coke Studio offering. It’s a hauntingly beautiful collaboration between the soulful vocals of Abdul Hannan, a rising YouTube star, and the progressive urdu / punjabi stylings of Kaavish, led by the enigmatic Jaffer Zaidi, known for his deep, husky vocals steeped in Eastern classical influences.
Hannan’s voice grabs you from the first note. Raw and almost weary, it carries the weight of experience. The opening lines paint a picture of a man lost in a labyrinth of self-doubt: “Reh reh ke yehi sawal hai yeh dil se poochta hai” he sings, translating to “The same question arises again and again, my heart asks it.” There’s an honesty in his delivery that resonates deeply, especially for Gen Z listeners who constantly grapple with life’s complexities.
Hannan isn’t alone on this introspective journey. Kaavish, with their layered instrumentation and Zaidi’s soaring vocals, create a sonic counterpoint. The music builds slowly, a tapestry of melancholic guitar riffs and hypnotic keyboard loops. It’s a soundscape that feels familiar yet fresh, reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s psychedelia with a modern electronic twist and an overall uplifting musical arrangement– something that will definitely resonate with Gen Z’s love for genre-bending music.
The lyrics, penned by Hannan and Zaidi themselves, are as deep as the music. They delve into themes of existential angst, the search for meaning, and the struggle to break free from internal shackles. “Toote hue sheeshe, bikhre hain raaston mein,” sings Hannan, meaning “Shards of broken glass are scattered on the roads,” a powerful metaphor for the fragmented nature of life.
Let’s take a closer look at the lyrics. In the first verse, Hannan is trapped in a cycle of self-interrogation, “Kiya baataon? In sawalon main kab se yun phasa hun” (What is going on? How long have I been stuck in these questions?). He’s searching for answers, trying to make sense of the chaos around him, but all he finds are “Fasanay zindagi k mann” (The stories of life’s intentions).
The chorus reinforces this sense of disillusionment. The broken glass on the ground symbolizes the shattered hopes and dreams of the protagonist, while the smoke he inhales represents the suffocating weight of his burdens. “Tukre kaanch k bikhre zameen par / Chalna chahun par, chahaya hai har qadam / Ye dhu’an, hai sans lena saza” (Shards of glass scattered on the ground / I want to walk, but every step is haunted / This smoke, it’s a punishment to breathe).
The second verse delves deeper into the protagonist’s emotional turmoil. He questions the authenticity of love and relationships, seeing them as mere commodities traded in the marketplace: “Ye wafa tou bazar mai bikti ek chehra” (This loyalty is just a face sold in the market). He’s lost in a sea of self-doubt, unable to reconcile his inner turmoil with the external world: “Khud ki khoj mai sab hi haal e dil mai / Ab kese samjhaon? / Hai ye uljhe daghon sa / Meri sochon ka jahan” (In the search for myself, everyone’s heart is the same / How do I explain? / It’s like a maze of stains / The world of my thoughts).
Amidst this darkness, a glimmer of hope emerges in the outro. Jaffer Zaidi’s voice, imbued with wisdom and compassion, offers a path to healing: “Aaa.. Haye.. Aaa.. / Ander tere raaz kayi hain (Aaa..) / Ander tere raaz kayi hain / Khud se jou mil payega / O yaara / Dil se jou sun payega / Na chorh aas ki dour ko / Sach tu samjh jayega / O yaara / Phir tu sambhal jayega” (Oh.. Oh.. Oh.. / You have many secrets inside (Oh..) / You have many secrets inside / If you can find yourself, O friend / If you can listen from your heart / Don’t give up on hope / You will understand the truth, O friend / Then you will be alright).
“O Yaara” isn’t a song with a catchy hook or a feel-good vibe. It’s a journey into the darker corners of the human experience, a stark contrast to the usual Coke Studio fare. But for Gen Z, a generation that thrives on authenticity and creative touch in the music they hear. As a music critic who keeps a close eye on the emerging trends, I can safely say that “O Yaara” is a complete experience to be cherished and absorbed on a loop; a song that will stay with you long after the last note fades away. It will leave the audiences pondering the complexities of life and the resilience of the human spirit.
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- Jhol | Coke Studio Pakistan | Season 15 | Maanu x Annural Khalid
- Blockbuster | Coke Studio Pakistan | Season 15 | Faris Shafi x Umair Butt x Gharwi Group
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