A for Aleph is not only providing artists a state-of-the-art studio but is at the helm of releasing their music as well via A for Aleph Records, the latter founded by Umair Dar and Anas Alam.

Having released Naqaabposh’s Seth Aur Saanp Live, Khayal by Aizaz Sohail, Cacan by Aziz Kazi and ‘Sanval’ by Surkhwaab among others, the A for Aleph Records roster echoes diversity.

Releasing Malang Party’s Loadshedding EP properly post remastering it in 2020, the label has now released the iconic band’s LP. The debut LP, Ziyarat includes an all-star lineup of musicians including founder Zishan Mansoor, Anas Alam Khan, Kami Paul, Varqa Faraid, Hassan Mohyeddin aka MOYO, Ashail Haider Khan with narration on the song ‘Ziyarat‘ by Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Recorded and produced at A for Aleph in Karachi, the record is mixed and produced by Umair Dar, with Daniel Arthur Panjwaneey being the recording engineer, sound design courtesy of Adeel Tahir and mastering by Wladi Turkewitsch at KMS Mastering in Ticino, Switzerland among others contributors in studio. The first full length album by Malang Party is not riding on the coattails of their debut hit, ‘Dil Jaley’ solely which they went on to perform at Coke Studio. The landscape of the new album with words and music by Zishan Mansoor is reggae-funk-rock. With album artwork by Hassan ‘MOYO’ Mohyeddin, Ziyarat offers 7 songs in total and is best heard from start to finish - understanding the larger context behind each song.

Sunny Khan Durrani unveils new track ‘Rubai’

Rapper Sunny Khan Durrani has the adrenaline and he’s releasing songs faster than we can catch up to them. But more original music is always a delight when it’s coming from a self-aware musician.

Having released Khabarnama followed by Aeitzaaz and The Butterfly Effect, in 2021 Sunny Khan Durrani hasn’t slowed down. Releasing songs such as ‘Urta Teer’, ‘Raat Dhallay’, ‘Haasil’, ‘Girhain’, ‘Taaray’ and ‘Qissa Khwani’ (the latter an ode to the original Qissa Khwani Bazaar aka, Story-tellers Bazaar that is found in Peshawar, KP), he has unveiled a new one.

Adding to his repertoire with a song called ‘Rubai’, the term is explained by Sunny on YouTube in the following words: “If you are wondering, Rubai (Ruba’i) is a stanza.”

With music, lyrics, composition and mixing and mastering credit of ‘Rubai’ belonging to Sunny alone, it is a sign how much musical growth Sunny Khan has in his arsenal.

And, as for the newest single, ‘Rubai’ is an Urdu rap song and is as sharp as Sunny’s previous releases if not more sonically.

As the opening verses drop “Me umeed ka sodaagar bechun tumko dilaase/Me dur ka musaafir me khud bhatka yahan pe/Mujhe khud nahi pata konsa raasta yahan theek” – you know Sunny is on the right trajectory and as listeners we must follow him to see if there is a path to be found. Artwork: Awais A. Khan

Abdullah Qureshi apologises for lewd
misconduct

Singer and songwriter Abdullah Qureshi – who has been a part of prolific platforms such as Nescafe Basement and Velo Sound Station (2020) - was recently accused of lewd misconduct.

The story goes that the young musician used to send lewd messages to girls on Twitter. When this problematic news became public, Abdullah Qureshi offered an apology on social media.

Said Abdullah, “I apologise to everyone for all this. I won’t blame my drunken state because it was me at the end of the day. But yes, I did have a drinking problem and I do have fetishes. But everyone has fetishes.”

Furthermore, Abdullah reiterated that he would, under inebriation, send such “DM messages”. “Yes, I did have that problem too but I stopped when I had my daughter. I apologise to her for being the worst dad.”

Those who Abdullah had messaged didn’t buy it with another anonymous name coming forward with screenshots of Abdullah indulging in inappropriate conduct.

Abdullah Qureshi is one of the latest few names that have surfaced in an industry that is increasingly being associated with inappropriate behaviour. Entertainment industries world-over have been under fire ever since the Me Too movement rose to prominence after the Harvey Weinstein scandal. Countless men and women have come forth with allegations all over the world. Here, in Pakistan, one wonders how and whether things will ever change and whether any codes of conduct will ever be introduced into the industry at large.