Masty - Ali Zafar

Masty - Ali Zafar

More and more Pakistani artists are today being accepted with open arms in India. Just recently it was Atif Aslam whose 'Doorie' has become superhit over the weeks. Now Ali Zafar may be hoping to repeat the same fate as he arrives with 'Masty', an album that has its opening track 'Sun Re Sajaniya' already being a big success.

With an English passage to mark the opening, 'Sun Re Sajaniya' is a highly catchy number that is almost like a nursery rhyme in the way it is composed. While one has seen Pakistani artists coming up with the songs belonging to the rock genre that they have perfected over the years, it is a reverse this time around as Zafar adopts Indian melody for 'Sun Re Sajaniya' that brings with it the kind of feel that one used to get in the 70s when Shashi Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor used to sernade their ladies.

A feel good number with an innocent feel to it, 'Sun Re Sajaniya' is highly enjoyable. Same cannot be said though for the 'club remix' version of the album since it beats the very purpose of being innocent and highly. The song moves at a rapid pace and turns out to be an unwanted distraction.

Opening cheers and claps very well set the pace for a concert kind of a number to follow. With a touch of Middle East flavor, 'Masty' - the title song - is yet again Bollywood-ish in appeal and reminds of the early 80s kind of numbers. From 'Sun Re Sajaniya' that reminded one of Shashi Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor, 'Masty' moves on to bring back Mithun Chakravorty in the limelight as Ali Zafar gives a full-on performance as he would be doing to a packed audience in a concert. A fast paced rhythmic number that also appears in a 'House Mix' version that is entertaining in itself, it could have been an ideal fit into a Bollywood movie way back in the 80s.

The mood continues to be rhythmic as 'Aag Jaisi Ye Jawani' comes next. A new facet of Ali Zafar is observed as the young boy gets all passionate during singing this track about living life to the fullest while one is young and enjoys the goodies that come along. A rock track where Zafar sings with all the excitement as required for a song of this genre, 'Aag Jaisi' could be a good hear if played on in loud volume with a DJ at work on a dance floor. One wonders how come a remix version wasn't created for a song like this?

The sound of guitar that opens up 'Jaane Na Koi' indicates that there would be a change in the mood of the album with a melodious track to follow. A soft rock number is the one that follows as 'Jaane Na' settles the vociferous mood of the album by acting as a soothing factor. A well written number with Zafar showing his maturity as a singer once again, 'Jaane Na' is an enjoyable track that only aids in adding variety to the album.

'Aasman' is the shortest track in the album as it lasts barely 2 and half minutes. A campus number with a youthful appeal to it, 'Aasman' does quite well even in the limited time period and comes across as a number that doesn't fail in bringing on a smile. Though filmy in its overall setting, the track is about looking forward to life and being positive amidst all the diversities that may come one's way.

As if it was a basic necessity to the album, the album concludes with a Punjabi number 'Khedeyaan De Naal'. The good part out here is that it doesn't turn out to be a routine 'bhangra pop' numbers that are heard in dozens with every passing week. Instead it is a thoughtful number with a classic base to it that brings with it the true flavor of traditional Punjab and stays on to be as authentic a Punjabi track as possible. It comes across as a pleasant surprise to hear someone from the other side of the border to be crooning a number in Punjabi and Ali Zafar ensures that he does a good job in that.

'Masty' is a youthful album that spans across genres without getting restricted to Pakistani rock, Indian melody or 'bhangra-pop'. It comes with a sound that is aimed at the young crowds and brings with it a mix of rhythm and melody that has an eternal appeal. Hear it on for some good feel-good appeal.

Rating: ***