This season seems to have taken the Pizzazz out of the whole coke studio experience.
In earlier seasons, the likes of Ali Zafar and Atif Aslam experimented with classics, while actual legends like Tina Sani performed ghazal with a modern twist while Abida Parveen took folk music to another level. Ali Azmat fused one of his less popular tracks (Garaj Baras) with the voice of Rahat Fateh Ali to create a track for the ages.
All of these experiments were a result of smart choices and some risk.
Of course, certain tracks backfired, like Atif Aslam’s Mai ni main kinnu or his Billie Jean. But overall, Coke Studio introduced a new era of music to the audience. Most importantly, it was no longer limited to a specific class, there was something for everyone from Jal to Akhtar Channal Zahri to Attaullah Essa Khelvi.
It was a representation of all of Pakistan.
The preceding seasons established new careers, like Zeb and Haniya, Meesha Shafi as a solo performer, Aunty Disco Project; they even brought back Alamgir.
Every season gave us something new to look forward to.
The cast was smaller too, as opposed to such a star-studded affair this time around that even though there is mention of Shallum, Amir Zaki and Faraz Anwar, they are almost invisible in the marketing material.
Perhaps to avoid alienating their core demographic, season 7 brings us repeat performances of previous seasons.
There seems to be little experimentation once Strings took over Coke Studio in this season.
That is even more evident with the lack of diversity in Season 7. The show has waned from their fusion roots and taken genre-specific inclinations.
Overall, the combinations of performers sound great on paper, however the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
All in all this season seems just a touch above mediocrity.
