‘Tu Hai Kahan’: AUR and Zayn’s collab
Although the popularity of a song does not often translate into long-term success for a performer or band, AUR seems to be here to stay. The band revealed their thrilling new project, an amazing cover of their popular song Tu Hai Kahan by international sensation Zayn Malik, on Instagram on Wednesday.
The 2023 song was a huge hit on streaming services when it was released, making AUR a well-known name in Pakistani pop music. By collaborating with none other than Zayn, the former member of One Direction, the trio was able to increase anticipation for a song that was already well-known. To put it succinctly, AUR excels at marketing. Regarding the performance itself, it is far from flawless.
A common element of this genre of music, digitally altered vocal and guitar samples are used in Tu Hai Kahan’s opening track. Zayn’s vocal improvisation in a falsetto over this blend brings us to the song’s opening verse. Even if the song’s opening is a tad clichéd, it serves its purpose admirably.
That is, until the verse begins, which brings one of the most overdone programmed beats in the hip-hop and R&B industries. On top of the beat, four pop music chords repeatedly play throughout the song. This component establishes the framework for an instrumental that lacks any real depth and doesn’t even hold up to the song’s weight. Beyond the application of a certain pop music formula with no personality, the verse rings empty.
There is arguably only one thing the song’s 4-minute, 26-second duration has going for it: the lyrics. The track’s main tone and energy are wonderfully complemented by the conversational style and simplicity. There are times when the melody and rhythmic breakdown prevent the syllables from resting easily on top of the beat, which reduces the amount of space available for the vocals to express the lyrics of the song.
The song’s production decisions also raise some challenging issues. Although Zayn’s vocal contributions are notable, they are characterized by an aggressive use of pitch correction that, regrettably, falls short of the delicacy and nuance anticipated even in overly produced songs. It is difficult to dispute or recognize the level of vocal talent hidden beneath the heavy layers of post-production techniques, turning the singer’s performance on the song into a promotional ploy.
I am a dedicated student currently in my seventh semester, pursuing a degree in International Relations. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in the professional field as a content writer at the Rangeinn website.
