"Have millennials started crying?"
Coke Studio Pakistan’s new offshoot platform Nu.WAV has made its debut with its first track ‘Dil’, landing a decidedly mixed online reception.
The song features Afusic and Ali Soomro of ‘Pal Pal‘ fame alongside newcomer Zoha Waseem.
The heart of ‘Dil’ is built around its catchy central phrase, “Jeenay ka maza hai Dil de ke (the joy of living is in giving your heart).”
The track opens with Afusic appearing seemingly untethered and, at one point, even floating in the air while reflecting on the experience of falling in love.
Zoha Waseem takes over in the second half of the song, mesmerising listeners with her signature soothing vocals.
Her contribution to the track is widely seen as having the potential to become the next viral hit.
Kamal Khan directed the music video and delivers a retro-inspired visual experience built around old-school televisions and purple neons.
The aesthetic creates an ironic contrast between its modern musical subject matter and its vintage visual sensibility.
While Nu.WAV is designed to showcase the next generation of Pakistani artists, ‘Dil’ uses the visual contrast to explore themes of modern love.
Reactions from listeners and viewers online ranged widely from genuine excitement to clear disappointment.
Several enthusiastic fans celebrated the release and specifically singled out Zoha Waseem for particular praise in the comments.
One user wrote excitedly: “OH I’M SO EXCITED FOR THIS SEASON OF COKE STUDIO!!!
“AAAHHH ZOHA WASEEM TOTALLY SMASHED ITTT F*CK YEAH.”
However, not everyone was convinced that the debut track lived up to the considerable potential of the artists involved. One sceptical user asked:
“How did Coke Studio get a mid song out of Afusic and Zoha Waseem?”
Another offered a more sardonic take on the audience reaction, writing:
“So… have millennials started crying over Coke Studio Nu.WAV yet, or are we pretending to have evolved as a society?”
The mixed reception suggests that ‘Dil’ has not yet fully won over the loyal fanbase that the Coke Studio name commands.
Part of the issue appears to be that many listeners are measuring Nu.WAV against the established standard of Coke Studio.
Nu.WAV was unveiled on Coke Studio Pakistan’s Instagram on August 23, 2026, and was created by Kamal Khan.
The platform describes itself as the “sound of the people” and is designed to let artists build their own creative worlds.
The inaugural edition of Nu.WAV features a diverse and impressive lineup that extends well beyond the artists featured on the debut track ‘Dil’.
Asim Azhar, Hasan Raheem, Maanu, Sabaat Batin, Shae Gill, Young Stunners, Izz Chughtai and Aaryan SDQ are all part of the platform’s first edition.
Rovalio and Abdullah Kasumbi also form part of the broader lineup, presenting a mix of well-known artists alongside fresher voices.
Five more tracks are expected to follow ‘Dil’ as part of this inaugural edition, with ‘Maheya’, ‘Rangeen’, ‘Qasam’, ‘Shabnam’ and ‘Ae Deewan-e-Dil ‘.
With such a diverse and talented roster still to come, Nu.WAV has significant opportunity to win over its audience.
Listen to ‘Dil’:
