he year is coming to a close but we still have half a dozen days to go before the year is done and dusted with. And, it looks like the music industry and the many individuals who make up the ecosystem – as artists, creators – are far from done.

As this story goes
in print, the alternative, neo-rock band, Karakoram have come back with a new song.

They’ve had a terrific year, collaborating with Faris Shafi, and Talha Anjum for their Coke Studio debut, ‘Ye Dunya’ in its fourteenth and most accomplished season in years.

In the lead up to Coke Studio Live that took place in Dubai, U.A.E, Karakoram collaborated with rapper Eva B for ‘A Kind of Magic’.

But long before such prominent collabs, Karakoram had already set a benchmark for quality music. They dropped their debut album, Ailan-e-Jang in 2021 with a smashing music video for the song, ‘Bekhudi’, accompanying the release.

Since dropping the debut album, Karakoram not only made its mark via Coke Studio 14 but also through their own work. A case in point is their 2022 collaboration with Hasan Raheem for ‘Kyun’ and the singular ‘Duur’. As the year rushes to an end, the band has released what is easily one of their happiest songs, in form of the track, ‘Zindagi’.

It’s like the culmination of their struggle over the years has come to fruition and they are ready to embark on the next chapter and take notice of the happy moments in their journey.

Sherry Khattak, Bilawal Lahooti, Annan Noukhez, Zain Peerzada and Omair Farooq, who form the band, collaborate with director Fida Moin to give us a sense of their outlook that is the theme of the song and the music video where the band is not playing a role but showcasing memories, past and present.

It is also the year of Crystal Records (and Crystal Records Live) that includes Karakoram’s Sherry Khattak among a handful of other musical individuals. The artist roster features so many prominent names that some have even dubbed it the biggest label but that also depends on your perspective.

Pakistan is home to many different record labels now but the buzz around both Crystal Records and the series Crystal Records Live seems promising.

As for ‘Zindagi’, the song is very much like a rock song but one that celebrates life palpable in its soundscape as well as lyricism.

Between regular singles, a record label and series (for Sherry Khattak along with certain others industry individuals) and a big debut in 2022’s Coke Studio, 2023 looks just as bright and full of possibilities for the music outfit.

Among bands that are worth watching, live and as a studio name, Karakoram is in our top 5 list so give them a go.