“This song came to me around 3 am"
London-based Pakistani artist Misbah has released ‘Pyaari’, a new Urdu Dream Pop track featuring singer and producer Pireh.
Meaning ‘lovely’ in Urdu and Hindi, the song explores the unexpected pull of falling in love. It captures the tension between following the heart and listening to the brain.
‘Pyaari’ blends earthy acoustic strums, ukuleles and a dry drum kit with Misbah’s reflective songwriting. The track explores the uncertainty and anxiety that can accompany opening yourself up to another person.
Misbah said: “This song came to me around 3 am when I could not sleep on a random cold night.
“It flowed out of me because this was everything I was feeling at the time. I have tried hard not to write a love song because that is so typical of musicians, but this one just came out on its own”
The track was composed and partly recorded across several makeshift studios in London, marking the first time in several years that Misbah has recorded outside Rescue The Frog Studio in Lahore, Pakistan.
That sound was subsequently refined through mixing and mastering by Waleed Ahmed.
Pireh contributed to the song’s atmospheric sound, creating keys and harmonies designed to complement Misbah’s understated vocals.
Pireh said: “I wanted the keys to feel ethereal but nostalgic.
“Misbah’s vocals were raw and concise, so I built the harmonies to feel sweet, lingering, almost like love as a quiet magical feeling in your system, even while you’re fighting louder anxieties about putting yourself out there.”
The release continues Misbah’s exploration of Urdu Dream Pop, drawing on the synth and disco textures of 1980s South Asia.
His influences include Pakistani acts Vital Signs and Nazia Hassan, while his wider sound incorporates retro pop, psychedelia, alternative rock and progressive funk.
His songwriting also frequently explores loneliness, grief, relationships and love, giving ‘Pyaari’ a natural place within his developing body of work.
The accompanying music video expands on the song’s themes by focusing on long-distance relationships and the unexpected ways people can experience love.
The story was conceived by director Abe, alongside Minahil Noor and Misbah.
It follows the idea that someone living far away can become the person who makes another feel happiest and most loved.
Abe introduced elements of magical realism to the visual, which are echoed through its sound design and Minahil’s grounded performance.
The result combines the emotional realism of a relationship with the surreal image of love letters being sent and received through balloons.
For Misbah, the visual approach adds another dimension to a song centred on the conflicting emotions of falling in love.
Watch the Music Video
