The legendary Afreen Afreen recreated by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan sahab & debutante Momina Mustesahn for Pakistan’s Coke Studio season 9 is an aural treat unlike any other. Music Director Faakhir Mehmood weaves magic with the minimal orchestration that serves as the perfect backdrop for Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sahab’s nephew, Rahat.
There is no surprise that Rahat sahab’s voice is incredible, but his delivery of this iconic song is probably one of his life’s best work. One can’t help but reminisce over the visuals of stunning Lisa Ray from the 90s music video as the words Afreen Afreen fall on one’s ears.
Momina, the other singer in the song, has graduated this year from New York in Biomedical engineering and blows your mind with her calm poise and confident voice. Velvety is how one can describe the texture of her singing. She holds her own in front of Rahat sahab and almost adorably keeps getting absorbed in the mastery of his craft. It is easy to get lost in the magical world he creates with his harkats.
The sheer range he displays in his closing alaap will give you goosebumps. Coke Studio Season 9 is turning out to be a beautiful revelation and is bringing back the glory of the show’s earlier seasons. Pakistani musical duo Strings, producers of this season, have outdone themselves with the beautiful arrangements and direction.
The only thing this album needs, is Delhi winters and a foggy morning.
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