Atif & Strings – Ab Khud Kuch (Single Review)
by Hani Arif
After the energetic Humain Kiya Hua in Coke Studio Season 2, a song that Atif had sung about to change oneself in order to change society, comes Ab Khud Hi Kuch. Atif’s solo track talked about self screening while Ab Khud Hi Kuch as the title suggests, apart from sharing the same ideology also tells to take collective actions towards a common goal. With Atif collaborating with Strings on this track, it is only natural that there be mutuality in this track. With Atif being a part of the Ab Khud Hi Kuch it is easy to say that this is a sequel to the Coke Studio song. And this is just the clever beginning to a song that has innovation written all over it.
If the total essence of the song is taken into view, it is completely apt to this time where and what Pakistan is passing through at the moment. It is a progressive song but the same sentiment lies within the slowly increasing population of real Pakistanis.
The structure of the track itself is quite innovative with only two lines in each verse. With Atif in a song we can expect it to more then just a conventional song. Lyrics in the song are simple and effective. Faisal Kapadia starts the song with his soft mellow tone and Atif sings the second line in the first verse in a higher tone and a stronger voice taking the song towards the prechorus. Atifs deviation in the second verse from what the composition shows reflects how one should take measures of ones own remaining in the boundaries of what is permissible at the same time.
Another clever aspect of the song is that in place of a regular new guitar solo, the Pakistani National Anthem is played and out of respect one is obligated to stand up and that not only literally but also under the meaning of “Taking a Stand ”
Entire song asks for the lethargy and dead conscious to the left. Final lines (yeh kahani hui puraani, kitnay logon ki sunee zubaani, tumhein jo kehna hai keh do, yehi waqt hai, zamana kahey ga, iss kahani ka akhir ab tum ko badalna parey ga) of the song are also of pertinent significance where the entire world now has eyes over Pakistan and is blindly convinced of the terrible state of one sided misrepresented depiction of Pakistan and the typecasting of all Pakistanis. We must use this very spotlight and show the world what Pakistan is in actual.
A positive song with a positive message. The degree in which this track moves you shows the effect of this song and is a good measure to judge how pro Pakistan you are!
The song is scheduled to release soon with a video, stay tuned.
Hani Arif writes full time at HaniArif.com
