MUMBAI: Lahore-based electronic music producer and musician Talal Qureshi’s flair for melding traditional Pakistani music with contemporary electronica sounds, has won him praise and pride of place in playlists across the world.
His 2023 debut album TURBO – being re-released as a deluxe album, TURBO DELUXE with three additional tracks on February 5 – is testament to his ability and credibility as an innovative and genre-bending producer.
Considered by many as one of the pioneers of electropop in Pakistan, and a mainstay and lead collaborator in Coke Studio – alongside producing for vogueish pop artists like Hasan Raheem – Qureshi’s collaborative spirit knows no generational, or geographical boundaries.
Related Post
In TURBO DELUXE, and across its 15 tracks, listeners traverse diverse landscapes of South Asian music, with each song a unique mosaic of artistry. Voices from across the region collaborate, infusing every track with authentic multilingual resonance, breaking linguistic and genre barriers.
The album features his frequent collaborators Maanu and Natasha Noorani, alongside Farheen Raza Jaffry, Zaw Ali, upcoming artists like blal bloch, Zahoor, and multiple songs with Indian artists Mitika Kanwar and Yashraj.
TQ’s sonic palette spans bubblegum and synth-pop, a blend that defies norms and resonates globally. His production style is one-of-a-kind and TURBO DELUXE is proof of his beatsmith tag.
“The album was two years in the making and I took my time curating artists and my sound carefully,” Talal of his now-15 track album. “I have been a fan of the artists I chose and I believed in their ability to help me shape the sound for my album. Every collaborator on TURBO brought their own unique vibe and artistry. Because of their versatility, I was able to represent a whole range of genres like hip-hop, folktronica, pop and dance,” he adds.
Guided by the visionary that Qureshi is, TURBO captures snapshots of life’s myriad moments. From the effervescent and radiant beginning to the introspective depths, like the haunting tones of ‘KAALI RAAT’, the album chronicles a personal odyssey through emotions. Each composition is a chapter, vividly illustrating experiences, feelings, and self-discovery.
TURBO is a smorgasbord of sounds and inspirations that one imagines runs through Qureshi’s mind. In the opening track ‘INTRO’, Urdu samples intertwine seamlessly with synthpop and the sound of waves, while in AYA (Honey version), Mitika’s mellifluous Punjabi voice sings of desire and longing cloaked in beats that will have your head bobbing in no time.
SOLA, celebrates the cultural diversity of Pakistan and showcases the incredible and impish talent of TQ and smooth vocals of Zahoor, matching the lyrics’ message of embracing your inner child.
Featuring the evocative vocals of Zaw Ali, ‘KAALI RAAT’ delves into the shadows with a twist of tradition and heavy dose of bass. The production’s intricate dance with Zaw’s vocals is seamless, adding depth and urgency to the narrative.
The second of four songs featuring Mitika, ‘CHAYN’ is a spin on a classic thumri that reimagines vocals as dynamic elements, expertly chopped up and woven into the fabric of a dance track.
With the dynamic collaboration of Pakistani artist blal bloch and Indian artist Yashraj, ‘KUNDI’ is a hip-hop and rap fusion adorned with desi-pop production – a Qureshi’s trademark. Amidst this sonic adventure, he weaves his magic, skillfully manipulating the flute, one of his favourite instruments, to infuse the track with a unique flair.
‘RANGEEN’, the first of two songs that feature Lahori singer-songwriter Maanu, is a colourful and effervescent Punjabi track that’s easy on the ears while the infectious desi-pop anthem ‘PHOOLON KI RANI’ features Maanu and singer and ethnomusicologist Natasha Noorani. Blending Urdu, Punjabi, and English, the track’s multilingual lyrics echo the sentiment of moving on to better things and embrace their worth.
Tracks like ‘DUNYA’ – featuring Mitika – showcase Qureshi’s nimble and playful side.
Natasha Noorani graces the album once more in ‘JAAN MERI’, her delivery dancing between playfulness and allure against a production mirroring the emotional journey at the core of the track. The second version of AYA is a moody, cross-border collaboration between Talal Qureshi and Indian artists Mitika and Yashraj, woven with the tabla.
‘CHAMELI’ sounds contemporary and familiar at the same time, thanks to its fusion of Punjabi lyrics and innovative soundscapes and the warm-toned voice of Farheen Raza Jaffry. The flute, acting as the core of the track, guides you through a musical narrative that is both hauntingly beautiful and irresistibly contemporary.
TURBO DELUXE features three new singles, one with popular Pakistani singer-songwriter Asim Azhar. Qureshi and Azhar join forces, delivering ‘KYA’ a fusion of electronic beats and contemporary pop that’s reshaping the South Asian Music scene. ‘TARKA’ is an instrumental-based track that serves as a testament to Qureshi’s ability to seamlessly blend cultural influences with modern production, and the album closer is a track called ‘GOODNIGHT’.
TURBO DELUXE releases on February 5 and will be available across all streaming platforms.
