New Delhi: Pakistanis are not happy with the latest season of Coke Studio. They are finding it incomprehensible, pathetic, and even soulless. And with at least two national newspapers giving thumbs down to the album, the verdict is clear—only a few are loving it there.
“Despite individual moments of brilliance, most Coke Studio 15 songs succumbed to predictable or clichéd musical choices that hindered its overall impact and authenticity … rather superficial with a hint of tokenism,” wrote Dawn.
In its editorial, Express Tribune termed it ‘an overproduced letdown’. About Blockbuster, it wrote, “Coke Studio Season 15 seems intent on advancing a singular mantra: play it safe.”
Diverse but incomprehensible
An X user called the season ‘incomprehensible’.
“Coke studio Pakistan’s songs are completely incomprehensible this season. Blending in 10 languages and 10 singers in a 5 minute song without any connection,” he wrote. Another added that lately, Coke Studio seasons seem to have everything apart from music.
While many have appreciated the diversity of music—Sindhi, Balochi, Pashto, and Punjabi—the general consensus is that ‘despite diversifying, the show’s latest season remained hung up on a lost cause.’
What was ‘absolutely spectacular’ for some, was cringe for others. Some wanted to ‘pull their ears out’.
At a loss of words, a user just posted a one-emoji review of the season—a dustbin.
Soon, there was an online discourse on past vs present vis-a-vis Coke Studio, pitting the new fans against the old ones.
What should remain: the good old music or visually stunning sets?
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Old seasons were better
An X user wrote, “i miss the laal peeli battiyon wala coke studio (I miss the older Coke Studio with red-and-yellow lights).”
Another said, “old coke studio videos used to be such an experience. Every person playing an instrument is just separately shown in their true element & how it all came together to make the perfect song.” A user commented, “Now it’s just rap, rap and more crap ! Good bye to all the Balochi, Brahui, Marwari folk.”
Yet another disappointed user felt that Coke Studio “now looks like a web page of liberal arts college in the US. With tag line Unity in diversity.”
“Par chana de without the clip of the lady doing the tung tung instrument wouldn’t hit the same,” another joined in and no one disagreed.
Coke Studio Pakistan’s season 15, produced and curated by Xulfi (Zulfikar Ali Khan), debuted on 14 April 2024 after a 2-year gap and created quite a buzz. Songs such as Blockbuster and Aayi Aayi featured women ensembles and became hits.
The season was influenced by Western pop music and even featured a song with the dance group Quick Style, comprising Pakistani-Norwegian twins, which seems to have fallen flat.
However, it had its moments.
One X user posted, “I’ve been critical of this year’s Coke studio and the forceful rap but it’s not a horrible season? It’s got its moments and it’s done what they wanted to do with it. Make it global. And this is the third time a small CS regional has been global. With a twist.” For another, it was Pakistan’s answer to hopeless times.
“The reason why it resonated so much with Westerners is that in these jaded times, Pakistanis are the last romantics and optimists standing and the West desperately needs that message of hope.”
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)
What is wrong with Ms. Debdutta? This perverse obsession with Pakistan/Pakistanis is worrisome.
Mr. Gupta should recommend some good psychiatrist for her.