دادرا

Almost 10 years ago, Zeb and the late Haniya released Dadra, which remains achingly relevant even now. The music video starts with Zeb humming the song and kicks into a haunting tune, complementing Umar Riaz's eerie yet familiar shots of Lahore.

The song builds up layer by layer with every instrument, starting with the E-bow, which builds a dark, atmospheric sound. This sound contrasts with the bright tone of the guitars.

Uncertainty seems to chase everyone and everything at a steady pace they can't outrun. Despite this sense of unease, it is a call for hope, particularly in its chorus written by Zehra Nigah.

کل تو سورج نکلے گا
Kal toh suuraj niklega
کل تو روشنی آئے گی
Kal toh roshni aayegi
یہ دنیا سونی سونی
Ye duniya sooni sooni
جگمگ جگمگ ہو جائے گی
Jagmag jagmag hojaye gi

Dadra was released as a tribute to the 2016 Lahore bombing on Easter Sunday. Zeb and Haniya wrote in their official Facebook post "It's a song conceived as a lullaby to the nation and a video as an exploration of Lahore's past, present and future. This is for both Lahore and Pakistan, for resilience amidst the darkest of times."