ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON YOULIN MAGAZINE
Written by: Nayha Jehangir Khan Posted on: March 04, 2019 |
Zoha Zuberi
In the last few years, Islamabad has seen a noticeable rise in acoustic jams, where groups of friends take to parks or local cafes to perform. This wave of casual gigs has created the need for smaller multipurpose venues that can help support the music community of Islamabad. MeetHub in F-11 Markaz has been hosting open-mic nights and other intimate gigs, and recently held the launch of Zoha Zuberi’s EP.
Zoha Zuberi weaves her words into emotive strings sharing her personal experiences. Her debut EP, titled “February,” acts as a diary detailing the events, moments, histories, people and pain she has experienced in her formative years. She creates a delicate world of song for herself. The album reflects a passionate yet sensitive storyteller. It is an intimate musical doorway into Zuberi’s darkest despair. There were times while performing during the launch that Zuberi was teary eyed but smiling through her surge of emotions.
Zuberi has an impressive back story. She started playing music in 2012, and is currently studying to become an Architect. The EP is a chronological account of her personal struggle, her story of navigating through emotional disappointments and hurdles. There are 5 tracks - three in Urdu and two in English. Start to finish, the EP feels experimental and introspective of her musical evolution. She has pieced together fragments - there are echoes, waves of sound and cascades of vocals. The songs are nostalgic of 90s rock ballads.
The audience
Zuberi’s songs are relatable and she comes across as very earnest in her performance. One can imagine a young Zuberi walking down school hallways and sitting on campus grounds, writing into a songbook. Humming a tune to herself, while arranging song lyrics to her earnest melodies. The opener, “Janey Kiun,” has a bluesy live performance feel, with electric guitar and a groovy bass line. It is an energetic start to the EP, as the very next song “Stay,” is a confessional free fall with slower arpeggios. The mood of the EP changes, becoming stripped down and intimate. Track 3, “Cover Me Up” is the apex of Zuberi’s emotional journey, a truer exploration of her own sound and versatility of vocal performance. She comes into her own, as the song continuously ripples and comes back to the chorus “Can You Cover Me Up?” acting as an anchor. During her performance of this track, Zuberi acknowledges the support she was shown by her friends during her lowest moments. Many of the people in attendance at the launch were those who had encouraged Zuberi to keep performing and creating music. She repeatedly thanked Echo Records for inviting her in 2017 to perform at live sessions, later to create music and even film her music videos for free.
In 2018, artists are supposed to be a one stop shop, for not only creating their music and securing live performances but also designing their album art and promotional material, directing music videos and managing distribution of their music. In such trying times for independent music, record labels like Rearts have provided active support for the upcoming music community. Rearts is currently active across Pakistan, and have ambitious plans for the music scene of the future.
The last track, “Jana Hai Hum Ne Waheen” has commanding vocals and dynamic visual language at play. The song has a hypnotic quality; its descending rhythmic tones put the listener in a trance. It is a culmination of the many phases witnessed throughout the entire EP. There is a storyteller and poetess in Zuberi. “February” is a therapeutic release focusing on crucial themes of mental health, social anxiety, memories and dealing with loss. Her painful confessions and fragile exposition of a restless and struggling young musician, is an experience that can be shared by many of her own age.
Those who find a kindred spirit and resonating voice in Zuberi’s songs, will be encouraged to attend her next live performance, as her acoustic session at the release was heartfelt and honest. Having been signed on by Rearts, the best way to support Zuberi is by buying her work, instead of illegally downloading it. Go search her on Spotify, as Rearts has made sure the EP is now available worldwide.
Photography by Shirin Ahmed.
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