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A good soundtrack can make or break a film and in Lahore Se Aagay, music director Shiraz Uppal takes the film’s (expected) success a lot aagay. There are 5 songs in the film and most of them have repeat value, making it so far one of the best albums of a Pakistani film this year, keeping in mind Actor In Law, Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai, Ho Mann Jahaan and Ishq Positive. Let’s review the songs one by one so that when you log on to the internet, you know exactly what to expect.

Befikryan: TV star Saba Qamar couldn’t have asked for better entry into films as this is the perfect launch song for any actress or even actor for that matter. Aima Baig’s voice fits her and the combo is all set to create fire on screen when the film releases on November 11th. What’s interesting is that the theme from this song is also used at the climax, making it essential to the plot. Interesting, isn’t it?

Ahl-e-Dil: You don’t usually associate the words Ahl-e-Dil with a pop song but that’s lyricist Shakeel Suhail for you; he likes to use different words in his songs. The song takes you back to the days of Nazia Hassan when pop songs were liked by all as the composition complimented the vocals and trust me, Aima Baig has all it takes to be the next big thing as her voice has a Western touch to it which is not what one can say about many of the female vocalists we have. This song’s worth will improve after you watch the song because without it, it comes out as a pop song.

Kalabaaz: This number sounds too much like ‘Ghagra’ from Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani but according to the director Wajahat Rauf, the structure may be similar but not the melody, and he has a point. The ingredients may have been similar but the dish isn’t the same. Aima Baig again may sound like her inspiration Rekha Bharadwaj – who sang the Indian song – but she does a nice job, considering its a kotha song. Jabar Abbas is the local Sukhwinder Singh if I dare to say so and that’s a good thing as we don’t have filmi singers, mostly popstars trying to sound filmi. Saba Qamar’s dance steps, Yasir Hussain’s antics, the simple lyrics and rhythmic composition will surely make the song memorable, however it sounds.

Zara Si Laga Lo: It’s a purely situational song that might appear in the background; Shiraz Uppal and his “O O O” delays the mystery regarding what Zara Si Laga Lo is and that cheesy piece of item takes you to the 90s when dual meaning songs were the in thing in Bollywood. Thankfully, he clears the air in the start that he wants to lock eyes with his beloved … Nigah Laga Lo!

Tere Bina: This song sounds straight out from a shelved Strings album as Adeel Ali works with the musical band when not doing films. Aashir Wajahat who impressed all in Karachi Se Lahore with his acting, turns singer in this flick, possibly singing on a kid or even himself (his dad is the director). The kid comes as an improved singer and keeps up with the pace of the song that is made to sound super thanks to the interesting beat, mesmerizing Strings-style flute and rhythm. In my book, this song is a winner for being a complete package! Thank God we won’t have to use Naheed Akhtars, Nayyara Noors or Shabnam Majeeds for vocals of a kid anymore!