Rushk (Ziyyad Gulzar, UnsMufti, TaraMahmood,Mohammed Ali Jafri & SikandarMufti) playing a live gig atMad School, circa 2016.
A beautiful balance of jazz, post-rock and ambient flair, ‘Aye Na’ is another gem from one of music’s finest names. Instep lends an ear.
Having given Pakistan the unexpectedly haunting and deeply beautiful album Sawal more than a decade ago, Rushk, a music group like no other (founded by musicians Uns Mufti and Ziyyad Gulzar) disappeared from the horizon.
Rushk’s comeback announcement, more than a decade later, first came in 2013 and by 2014, Rushk delivered on its promise of new music and returned with an all-star lineup. While original vocalist Nazia Zuberi was replaced with Tara Mahmood, other specialists also joined in such as Sikandar Mufti (drums), Mohammed Ali Jafri (bass) and Omran Shafique (as producer). The result was and still remains exquisite.
Since 2014, Rushk have released a bunch of edgy, tipsy singles and their latest, ‘Aye Na’ is as exquisite as its predecessors. Having merged several musical styles, Rushk possess a sound that is truly their own.
A still from Rushk’s underrated music video, ‘Mera Naam’
What can only be described as a beautiful balance between jazz, post-rock and ambient flair, ‘Aye Na’ is another impressive gem from Rushk who remain one of the most unpredictable music acts in this country and beyond. The lyrical genius of Rushk is such that it always reminds one of life on the edge, the struggles felt within and upon every listen, something different emerges. ‘Aye Na’ also follows the same trajectory.
It opens on a restrained note and as Tara sings about wounds that won’t heal, it plays in one’s head. Obscure notes linger, the song grows aggressive before shying away from us completely.
Upon several listening, ‘Aye Na’ comes across as a song that weaves several narratives, ranging from internal deterioration to a violent love and a reflection of our darkened, war-drenched social climate.
It would be a terrible generalization to call them another pop-rock band because Rushk have no real rival in the music scene nor do they play songs that can be replicated. With every release, they up the ante and create songs that stay miles away from the mediocrity that can plague the commercial music scene.
The new single from Rushk, ‘Aye Na’, comes attached with gorgeous artwork by Safwat Saleem.
The musicianship on display (on this song in particular as well as Rushk’s earlier releases like ‘Mera Naam, Tujhay Pattay To Chalay’) is full of soul and is a reflection of the camaraderie between this thrilling group of accomplished musicians. And yes, every song from Rushk comes attached with stunning yet haunting artwork (by Safwat Saleem) and ‘Aye Na’ also has something fabulous to offer that will, at minimum, make you curious.