MATLABI BY NATASHA NOORANI

I personally love the production on this one. You can hear the movement of the opening chords, distorted sound samples through a keyboard, pan from one speaker to the next. If you don’t have a surround sound system at home, that’s okay, you can experience this added effect through your headphones as well.

This audio sample is played throughout the song. It’s a part of the atmosphere Natasha Noorani is trying to build through her latest, somewhat moody musical offering: Matlabi [Selfish]. It’s a theme that seems to follow Eva B whose latest song I’m also reviewing below. Both are rapping in their songs and both seem to be having a long, extended popular ‘moment’ in Pakistan’s music industry. And I, for one, am here for it.

Coming back to Matlabi, this dark, melancholic, electronic dance number, has Natasha Noorani speaking in metaphors throughout. Yes, we have the impression that she’s referring to an individual whom she has a connection with and whose actions deeply impact her existence, and not necessarily in a good way.

On o! er this Eid weekend are two tracks by Pakistani women artists exploring the dark complexities of love

She croons, in this dark, groovy track:

Kabhi rahoon main ghulami mein, Matlabi loag rahenge shaitaani mein Kis se, kis se bach paaoon main?

[Sometimes, I am in subservience, Selfish people will remain mischievous, How can I save myself from everyone?]

A tussle within love is nothing new for Natasha Noorani. Half of her body of work is now increasingly dedicated to the darker side of love — case in point Chhorro and the recently released Baaz.

KucHh Nahin Hua by Eva B

Kuchh Nahin Hua [Nothing Has Happened] is another dark, broody track from the female perspective, examining the pitfalls of a romantic connection. The song has been written by Eva B as well and the extensive lyrics are available online.

Kuchh Nahin Hua is written from the perspective of the person who simply does too much in the relationship and doesn’t get as much, or anything, in return. We’ve all been there, right? The ‘do-er’ is watching and observing her lover’s actions (or lack thereof), waiting for him to do something, and inevitably finding herself in the throes of hurt, anger and bitterness.

In her strong, clear, voice, Eva B croons:

Khaaye mujhay teri berukhi Berukhi deni hi thi, tau di kyun khushi? Tu bhoola mujhay baatain sari yaad teri Rahay rishta takht pe, humari ana jhuki

[Your indifference eats me up, If you had to be indifferent, why did you first give joy?

You forgot, but I remember everything you’ve said Our relationship has been put to bed and my ego compromised]

This is another song about the dark complexities of being in a relationship with someone who doesn’t ‘see’ you anymore. There’s a power imbalance that’s causing great anxiety and a rift. From Eva B’s song, it gives the impression she was love-bombed and then ghosted.

Published in Dawn, ICON, April 23th, 2023