Finally a rock band makes its way to this season of Ufone Uth Records. Flying in all the way from Lahore, XXI comprises of Yahya Farid (vocals) and Moheet ul Islam and Mohamad Taimoor both on guitars. They also have to their credit a collaboration with Ali Hamza (Noori) and Taimoor Rehman (Laal) on the official Lums Flood Relief Song.

This episode brings back in full swing the fun and humour that the show had established in its first season—Gumby is seen lounging around in his pyjamas and taking friendly jibes at his audio engineer, Mohammad Agha. Former model and now independent video director as well as one of the camerapersons for the show, Bilal Khan, is also featured here and there (in a scene a footprint is digitally superimposed on the side of his head to warn him against walking into the studio with his shoes on).

XXI was paired with drummer Ahad Nayani whom Gumby considers as one of the best working within the genre of rock music in Pakistan. He infuses the kind of energy that provides XXI’s song, Taarey, the strong backbone that it needs.

Taarey is nowhere near becoming a rock anthem but that by no means implies that it is not a good rock song. It focuses on communicating the message that human emotions and relationships need to take precedence over material gains. The song isn’t weighed down in gravity by its somewhat serious subject matter—instead it comes across as a catchy rock ditty whose energy is easily transferable to the listener.

Last but not least, Gumby mentioned in the episode how Yahya Farid reminds him of a young Ali Zafar. — Madeeha Syed