Seeking the X in PSL 10 anthem
One of the country's most awaited beats has hit the music scene with the release of Pakistan Super League's (PSL) latest official anthem, X Dekho. The star-studded song marks a significant milestone, celebrating the League's tenth anniversary, which is where the 'X' in the title comes from, but of course, one could also appropriately attribute it to the 'X factor' innuendo.
Released on Wednesday, the track brings together a diverse ensemble of artists: Ali Zafar, Abrarul Haq, Natasha Baig, and Talha Anjum, all names that live in the hearts of Pakistan's music-lovers. With Zafar leading the charge, it rides on nostalgia and attitude — but does it hit the mark? Not quite.
As always, the lyrics prepare for an exciting new season of the League, throwing down the gauntlet with lines like 'Roz macha shor / Aaj kuch hona hai' (Make noise everyday / Let everyone know something's happening) which are further enriched by Zafar and Baig's powerful voices that carry the lyrics with full force from beginning to end. It's a declaration of dominance, fitting for a sports anthem, but structurally, the song feels stitched together rather than a seamless ride. The beat is familiar, steady, and predictable — good for stadium chants but lacking the dynamism that could make it truly electrifying.
The track teases at presenting a 'complete image' of Pakistan with a brief nod to Sindhi and Baloch folk sounds in the intro with string instruments and vocalisations but that's all it is. The actual song doesn't engage with these elements beyond a fleeting instrumental, making the representation feel token rather than organic, unlike the many ways in which Punjabi has been given center stage in previous PSL anthems.
Effort vs execution
Zafar carries the anthem, his return ensuring continuity with past PSL hits like Ab Khel Jamay Ga and Phir Se Jaan Laga De. Fans of the early anthems will appreciate his presence, but it comes at a cost. Baig, a powerhouse vocalist, barely gets a moment. Her voice adds texture, but she's reduced to an assist rather than a star.
Anjum, back after the beloved Groove Mera, plays the same role — his rap is surgically precise, his flow smooth, and his lyrics razor-sharp. Yet, his segment feels like an isolated interlude rather than an integral part of the track. Haq, another big-name addition, injects Punjabi energy, yet his part doesn't blend in; it sticks out, feeling more like a remix add-on than a cohesive piece of the anthem.
This segmentation is the song's Achilles' heel. While Zafar and Baig share space, Anjum and Haq's sections seem like cutaways, both musically and visually, which is a shame because they both add two unique styles and voices to an otherwise even song.
Visually, the anthem oscillates between fiery cool and warm tones, cutting between grand stadium shots and earthy scenes of Kabaddi, cricket, and common cricket fans. It attempts to balance spectacle with authenticity, embracing traditional sound and indigenous pride. The effort is there, but the execution? Not quite as fluid.
And then there's an eerie déjà vu — this all feels strangely similar to Hanumankind's Run It Up. From the juxtaposing grunge and earthy visuals to the indigenous instrumentals, it's hard to ignore the parallels. The high-energy running around, fiery backgrounds interrupting otherwise blue-tinged visuals, the steady drum tempo at the back; the sound of the Sindhi string instrument akin to Kerala's chenda sounds in Run It Up; the inclusion of common people to interrupt high energy and high contrast scenes; the segment with traditional kabaddi players adding yet another traditional touch to the song like the South Indian martial enamouring the Run It Up screen. It all begs the question: is the music scene so starved of inspiration that all songs that take pride in their birth countries must sound and look so similar? Whether intentional or coincidental, it adds another layer of disjointedness to an already fragmented track.
X Dekho wants to be a decade-defining anthem, but instead, it's a collection of good elements that never fully fuse. It's got pride, power, and attitude, but not the cohesion to make it an all-time great.
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