Coke Studio's 'Muaziz Saarif' is the feisty Shafi sibling collab we've been waiting for
Coke Studio has brought together siblings Meesha Shafi and Faris Shafi for its ninth song from Season 14 'Muaziz Saarif' and the upbeat song has us asking one simple question — can Coke Studio's season 14 do any wrong? We've had one killer song follow another and the Shafi siblings collaboration is no different.
'Muaziz Saarif' was released on YouTube on February 27 and features Meesha and Faris bringing their unique music styles to the table. Coke Studio's executive producer for season 14, Xulfi, brought associate music producers ActionZain and Abdullah Siddiqui on board to help create a provocative track. The song was composed by Meesha, Faris and Xulfi while it was written by Meesha and Faris.
The song is all about the pair speaking their own truths as Faris and Meesha let loose in a dramatic and lush home set designed by Harris Khatri.
'Muaziz Saarif' is a "gloves-off sucker punch to the haters" according to Coke Studio. For Siddiqui, it's "one of those tracks that when we were jamming everyone was jumping — it’s just so big and catchy, just great pop energy”. “It’s got their je ne sais quoi,” agreed ActionZain “it’s calling the listener to hear something unfamiliar.”
In the song Siddiqui and ActionZain stitch their styles together, switching tempos to mirror different moods. ActionZain’s clean, brittle drums are offset by a tabla, mimicking Faris’ "rat-a-tat delivery". Abdullah’s orchestral touches let Meesha’s voice spin and fly. The producers also include real elements of the performers’ personalities, making the song personal. The “helloo” sample is a Faris battle cry, while Meesha’s natural ability to swap between soaring notes and scorching Punjabi rhymes is used to the maximum. The performers also use wordplay true to their individual styles: Faris takes his shots nonchalantly while Meesha attacks head on.
Netizens love what the siblings are bringing to the song and can't get enough of it.
"'Muaziz Saarif' is an absolute banger," tweeted one user. "[What a] song by the siblings Faris and Meesha. Powerful lyrics and the vocals were killer."
Meesha's queenly entrance in the video was all the rage.
"Her entrance was so ethereal!" read a tweet.
Faris stans also reminded the internet precisely why they love him.
"He's among the rare writers to combine Urdu, Punjabi and English in a way that sounds like one piece," tweeted one user. "The ease and clarity in his pronouncing is remarkable. Above all, he makes it look like fun."
The video was directed by Kamal Khan and fans are in awe of how the the entire was shot in a single take.
"I just realised 'Muaziz Saarif' is just a one-take video?? How...," tweeted one user.
What are your thoughts on Meesha and Faris' latest song?