Love after pandemic: Uzair Jaswal’s upcoming album is a cathartic expression about soulmates

'Lovestruck' is set to launch on December 24 with a music video lined up for every month

KARACHI:

Despite the saturated market for romantic ballads, the theme of love never ceases to connect with people. Known for his love songs, Pakistani singer and songwriter, Uzair Jaswal promises to explore the newfound value of love post-pandemic in his solo album, Lovestruck. The Hamesha crooner calls the album a ‘special’ one claiming for it to be “different than any work he has done before.”

Jaswal, much like others, had a hard time navigating through the abrupt change in life that the pandemic brought with it. Speaking to The Express Tribune, he shared, “The pandemic took an emotional toll on me. While everyone around me thought of this as the ‘perfect’ time to dissociate and create music, and many created successful hits too, but I couldn’t bring myself to function in a broken world. I couldn’t recognise myself or my voice during this time.” While the catastrophe brought the worst in him, it also gave him the material to rise to his best.

Adding more versatility to his traditional slow ballads, the 29-year-old has experimented with electro-pop and new funk creating music that represents the journey of love with all its inevitable highs and lows. Uplifting, upbeat and unconventional, Jaswal’s new album gives an ode to those lucky to experience love fully and not take it for granted.

After a year of struggling, the Tere Bin Nahi Laage crooner sat himself down for a pep talk to write about his newfound realisation of love, and the conversations he participated in about its absence. Although difficult at times, the process of creating the songs was rewarding, according to Jaswal. “I couldn’t believe I still had it in me. The unprecedented gap ruined my self-esteem, but before I knew it, I had eight songs written,”

Upon how much of his personal life influences his music, the singer agreed that his music “definitely stems from personal experiences, and hence every song is incredibly special. However, the idea itself is so universal, so mundane that the philosophy of love and affection become communal and personalised, both at the same time.”

Jaswal also shared that his carefully reinformed idea of love appeals to everyone. “It is platonic, romantic, familial, forbidden and even the unknown. My album even explores the anticipation behind the idea of a soulmate existing for each person,” said Jaswal.

“The most important thing in life is to love, to be loved, to have someone to confess your love to, in all the many love languages the world allows,” shared the singer speaking about his inspiration behind the songs. “Love is more than just a positive emotion; it is essential. Everyone goes through the journey of love in one form or another and experiences a range of outcomes. And whether those are good or bad, the high of being on that journey is better than not being on it at all,” retorted Jaswal, highlighting how impactful small gestures of love; a hug, a compliment, or a handshake - are.

Sharing a glimpse from his song, the singer revealed that one of his songs explores the romanticised idea of a soulmate. “The idea that there is one for each and we’re just waiting till we find the right one makes a dreamy pursuit. Kahin Toh Hoga Pyaar is an upbeat song just about that feeling of wanting love before you even know what it is.”

He also mentioned featuring a breakup song to dance to, celebrating while experiencing emotions as brutal as grief and loss. The binge-worthy setlist renders this album one for all mix of genres narrating love, heartbreak, and union.

On what his fans should expect from the album, the Na Bhulana artist replied, “They’re in for a surprise! It’s going to be a completely new sound compared to what I have done before. I have also collaborated with the incredible musician Ahsan Pervaiz Mehdi this time.

Given the risk and vulnerability, the singer concluded with a nervous chuckle. “Of course, I am nervous. I pushed myself to create an album this year, and that too was on a topic close to me, and it turned out to be nothing like my previous works. I’m nervous, but also excitedly proud of it.”

With the album set to launch on December 24, the singer intends to release a music video every month or two. The celebrated musician has several other projects in the pipeline but he doesn’t want to disclose much right now. He did, however; express keen interest in working with Asim Azhar, Shamoon Ismail and Aima Baig in future.

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