Like pretty much anything in life, songs that have been releasing and becoming prolific in public eye, are neither truly black nor white in their meaning. The majority of music showcases light even in times of darkness and streaks of grey even in brightness. Looking within the counterculture and mainstream school of music, it’s evident that a great despair is lurking within verses across genres. Ranging from post-rock to rap music, it is palpable and subliminal.

These songs go beyond heartbreak and romance. None of these songs are designed to bring down your spirits but indicate what is already on people’s minds, being echoed by artists. Given the grey matter etched within releases, here are some examples.

“Am I frozen?/But it’s summer! Is that rain or is it me? Yes I’m melting/ Please be happy/One day/ We just might swim.”

– ‘Never Leave Your Heart Alone’ – Butterfly Boucher

No one is more eloquent with the sonic landscape and words that feel poetic and echo reality than Rushk. The co-founder of Rushk and chief lyricist (and guitarist) Uns Mufti picks up on misery, death, mayhem, fear, loss, hopelessness, chaos and grief outside (and within) with each of the band’s releases. Since revamping Rushk with a much-more expansive line-up, it is present in many – if not all – of the band’s released material. It is quite possibly the upcoming single, purposefully and rightfully titled ‘Shikwa’, that also addresses our rising despair.

Amongst recently released examples are eloquently penned tracks such as ‘Muwaaslati Saiyara’, ‘Khel’, ‘To Ja!’, ‘Aye Na’, ‘Mera Naam’, Tuhjay Patta To Chalay’. These are questions that take on nearly every subject including how unsafe women feel to poverty that is looming to fundamentalism.

The sentiment is also embedded in songs by newer acts. One example is Karakoram, whose music differs from Rushk but the hopelessness is also found in some of the band’s most prolific releases. My personal favourite is ‘Raasta’ where the song reflects on the question of finding a right path amidst chaos. Sherry Khattak’s tenor also makes it special.

Another artist is but of course, Mehdi Maloof. His songs may be embedded in a level of black comedy and don’t release as frequently as we’d want them to but when they do, it’s worth the wait. He writes in a way that we are not accustomed to but they are about much more than is obvious. Case in point ‘Dil Khirki’ or a window pane. Some are about breaking tangible and intangible walls. The myopic reality is also found in his breakthrough song, ‘Gandi Si Building,’ which addresses everything from a nation hooked to addiction to gentrification.

Another one of Maloof’s excellent tracks (with music producer Talal Qureshi) is ‘Peero’ where he sings about being disenfranchised from the world and about the dark and hollow inducing evening. Maloof is subliminal so the more you hear his tracks, the more meaningful they become. From struggles of people to the deteriorating fabric of society, it is all reflected upon.

An artist without whom this comment would be incomplete is Faris Shafi. With each rap track, each cipher, Faris is not only talking about the issues grappling society but also the answers and healing we yearn for. He also addresses how these socio-political developments impact us as individuals. It takes courage to write songs like ‘Nazar’, ‘Awaam’, ‘Jawab De’ and ‘Molotov’. In ‘Jawab De’, Faris has done what we would all like to know: someone providing real answers instead of further sorrow.

Other than Maloof and Shafi, another act that has always asked and addressed deeper questions is music group Sikandar Ka Mandar. Similar is the case with Kashmir who have been running with the issue of mental health. They first addressed it in ‘Pari’ followed by ‘Bhaago’ which talks about running far away from someone who is perhaps disturbed. What consequence it creates for the lone person is not considered by most. It is the rule of the jungle, created by us.

Abdullah Siddiqui, who has released three fabulous albums, has also addressed issues ranging from mental health to unrequited love. Abdullah has – at times – taken an obscure route but not always. One big example is ‘Magenta Cyan’ that features Meesha Shafi. On one hand, Abdullah has attempted to explore his Southasian roots but on a deeper level, the song also addresses unrequited love.

Other artists include Ali Sethi whose ‘Meray Hain Aur Iraday’ is not just a depiction of a blistering sonic change; the lyrics, “Meray Hain Aur Iraday/Main Chaman Main Khush Nahi Hoon” from the 2021 series of tracks shows similar disenfranchised thinking.

Similarly, from what is now their last studio album, Bilal Maqsood wrote a song - featured on Thirty - that is about not having any regrets when he dies. It’s a very provocative thought.

Several Ali Azmat tracks from his appearance on Coke Studio last time (2019) do showcase the ethos of the platform but also share verses that subliminally deliver just how we’re coming apart at the seams. ‘Bum Phatta’, ‘Chalta Main Jaon’ – released as singles – also redefine how desensitised we’ve become.

From Natasha Noorani to Takatak to Saakin (their latest track is reflective of George Orwell’s 1984 and how it holds true for us), there are a great deal of artists making records and singles that echo a unique kind of despair.

In the end, what all these songs have in common is the greater fear for a nation that has never been this prejudiced and divided. Intolerable cruelty can give birth to songs that project cheerfulness and matters of the heart but it can also give rise to songs that aptly describe our deepest fears and a level of truism that is often lost in translation and deflection. The reason why these songs have resonated is because they speak of a larger truth, one that is playing out on the streets and slums of the country, politics and other dangerous arenas.