Latest news with #XDekho
Express Tribune
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
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. Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
Express Tribune
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
WATCH: HBL PSL X anthem released, featuring first-timers
Listen to article The official anthem for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025, titled X Dekho, has been released, bringing a surge of excitement ahead of the upcoming cricket season. The anthem boasts an electrifying collaboration of artists, including the legendary Punjabi music sensation Abrar-ul-Haq, who is making his debut for PSL. Alongside him are renowned singer and songwriter Ali Zafar, the powerful voice of Natasha Baig — who is also singing her first PSL anthem — and the dynamic rap style of Talha Anjum. PSL CEO Salman Naseer shared, 'The vision for this year's anthem is to celebrate a milestone — ten years of PSL. The anthem is thus named *X Dekho*, representing pride over the achievements and the hurdles overcome by the HBL PSL over the last decade.' He further explained, 'The four artists from different backgrounds, genres, and vocal ranges reflect the diversity of Pakistan's talent. This year, the idea was to create a song that is fresh, yet familiar and resonates across fans globally.' The 10th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League is set to kick off on April 11, with defending champions Islamabad United facing two-time winners Lahore Qalandars at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. A total of 34 matches will be played between six teams from April 11 to May 18. Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium will host 13 of these matches, including the two Eliminators and the grand final.
