Arooj Aftab turns 80's classic music into modern Urdu track

Arooj Aftab has taken a well-known 80s song and given it a fresh, emotional spin. Her latest release is an Urdu version of Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics, but it sounds very different from the original.

The track is part of the soundtrack for BAIT, a new show by Riz Ahmed. In this version, the strong synth beats are replaced with softer music and hints of South Asian instruments. The Urdu lyrics stay close to the meaning of the original, while adding a deeper, more personal feel. Some are even calling it Sunehray Khwabon (Ka Khel Hai).

 

 

 

 

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Aftab worked on the song with Anish Kumar, and together they’ve created something that feels both global and rooted at the same time. She was also seen at the show’s launch, where Ahmed praised her and compared her to Kate Bush. Singer Natasha Noorani was also present, sparking curiosity about what she might be working on next.

 

 

 

 

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Another track from the show, by Jorja Smith, carries a similar emotional tone, hinting that the series mixes light moments with deeper themes. The story follows an actor going through a personal crisis after auditioning for a major role.

 

 

 

 

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Aftab, Pakistan’s first Grammy Award winner, has been busy. She recently worked with Beck on Lilac Wine for a charity album supporting children affected by conflict. The project also featured names like Olivia Rodrigo and Sinéad O’Connor.

With this new release, Aftab once again shows her ability to take something familiar and make it feel deeply her own.