Coke Studio Season 10, Episode 2 – What Happened?

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Coke Studio Season 10, Episode 2

The second episode of Coke Studio Season 10 is out and there is SO MUCH to talk about! So, let’s get straight to the point and analyze each song one by one.

Tinak Dhin

First off, there was Ali Sethi (returning after a stand out solo performance in Episode 1) alongside Ali Hamza and Waqar Ehsin for an upbeat, Tinak Dhin. This peppy folk number marks the debut of Ali Hamza as a music director on Coke Studio and – kia baat hai – what a debut! There’s an energy in the song so vibrant that it transcends the studio and forces the viewer/listener to become one with it.

Also Read: Coke Studio Season 10 – What a Start!

The three gentlemen have vocals that are as different from each other as different can possibly be. On one hand there’s Ali Hamza with his signature rock star huskiness and on the other there’s Ali Sethi with his quintessential South Asian voice. And then there’s Waqar Ehsin – who is Waqar Ehsin and where was he all this time?! A true revelation, Ehsin’s command on his voice is commendable and he delivers every note with an effortlessness that is impossible to ignore.

The camaraderie between this unlikely trio is the highlight of Episode 2. Each performer sings, grooves and then passes the baton to his next-in-line partner who then takes charge, making the song his own.

Verdict: Wah! Kia baat hai! Buhat ala! (Wow! What a performance! Brilliant!)

Sayonee

Then comes Ali Noor paired with senior musicians, Rahat Fateh Ali and Salman Ahmed (or as he prefers to be called, “Junoon”) for a cover of Sayonee.

Before speaking about the performance itself, I must say that Ali Azmat was sourly missed. It’s not that the singers didn’t give it their best but it’s just that I have listened to Sayonee for 20 years in Ali Azmat’s voice and it’s very hard to suddenly accept someone else in his shoes.

Also the fact that Rahat Fateh Ali did not kick off the cover with a high note was a shame. I mean if anyone can take a high note and own it, it’s Rahat Fateh Ali and surprisingly he was made to sing below par. May be the producers wanted the cover to sound different from the original but rather than resonating, their strategy alienates.

That said, the build-up following the fifth minute deserves a special mention. All the instruments and vocals go-off simultaneously like fireworks on a silent night. Each voice has a life of its own making the otherwise mediocre cover of Sayonee divinely mast.

Verdict: Could have been (Oh-so-much) better!

Faasle

The third single is a Coke Studio original, Faasle. Kaavish and Quratulain Balouch lend their vocals to this soulful ballad. Both the singers give an earnest performance but somehow the overall treatment of the song fails them.

I understand that every musician has a certain sound but Faasle seems hung over on Kaavish’s previous, more successful outings depriving it of originality and panache.

Verdict: Forgettable

Jaan-e-Bahaaraan

The episode concludes with a tribute to veteran music director, (late) Master Inayat Hussain sahab. The tribute is led by Ali Zafar who covers the evergreen, Jaan-e-Bahaaraan – a difficult song to pull off.

I say “difficult” not only because of the melody, which (like Master sahab’s other compositions like “Payal Mein Geet Hain Chhumm Chhumm Ke,” and “Ulfat Ki Nai Manzil Ko Chala”) needs a singer with immense command on his/her voice but also because of Jaan-e-Bahaaraan’s unconventional and truly Urdu lyrics. It’s a little wonder then that Ali Zafar’s eyes for most part remain glued to the lyric sheet.

This understandable distraction aside, Zafar gives Jaan-e-Bahaaraan his best. If “Rockstar” was a testament of how high and low he can go with his notes, with Jaan-e-Bahaaraan Ali Zafar comes of age as a singer. There are times when he seems nervous, but never does he falter.

Verdict: Mugambo khush hua!

Final Word on Coke Studio Season 10, Episode 2

On the whole, Coke Studio Season 10, Episode 2 had distinctive performances with Ali Sethi, Ali Hamza, Waqar Ehsin and Ali Zafar in the lead. However, there was no performance that could be called truly memorable.

Overall Verdict: Just about alright.