There are some names in the music industry who everyone expects will churn out good — and only good — music. Bilal Maqsood, one half of the uber popular Strings, is one of them.
For this reason, the announcement that he had been working on a new music show for "11 months" had plenty of people's attention.
"As the executive producer of the show, I present to you Velo Sound Station!" he shared on social media last week, with a teaser.
"I’m really excited about this!" he said in another post. "I’d like to tell you guys a few important things about the show: 1) we will be releasing a number of songs every week; 2) this will be on digital platforms only. So subscribe to Velo Sound Station’s channel on YouTube. Follow Velo Sound Station’s page on Facebook; 3) all songs will be available on all big music streaming platforms."
"I hope you like it," he signed off.
The first episode, which came out on Friday, featured Atif Aslam, Umair Jaswal and Natasha Noorani. The tunes and wardrobe of the musicians both took inspo from retro pop — and we're here for it.
But what did people make of the show?
Atif Aslam is a musical powerhouse and his Kadi Te Hans rendition, which he performed in a bedazzling jacket, seems to have reinstated him as the 'King of Pop'.
Umair Jaswal took on the beloved classic Gagar and while the reviews were mixed, everyone agrees this guy has plenty of energy — and a variety of funky jackets.
Natasha Noorani's track Baby Baby stuck a chord with people; it's the sort that just grows on you. Also, that chic powder pink suit was our favourite ensemble of the night.
In the year of corona, anything upbeat is welcomed by most.
From a "poor man's Coke Studio" to "fake", there was plenty of criticism.