SLOUGH, ENGLAND:
I don’t claim to have a trendy taste in music—or in much of anything, really. My three children make sure to remind me of this daily, especially when they’re stuck in a car with me and my beloved playlist.
Despite their protests, my playlist isn’t the ear-splitting horror they make it out to be. It features Dil Se by Haroon, Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin, and Mamma Mia by ABBA. Mamma Mia is my personal caffeine boost—though my kids liken it more to anesthesia or a wailing cat. Mack the Knife brings a jazzy charm to the tale of a serial killer, and then there’s Dil Se—a song that does exactly what its name promises. It speaks from the heart, to the heart, and is pure emotion from start to finish. Even if Haroon was merely performing the sentiment, he did it convincingly enough to make us believe it. And in music, that kind of authentic delivery is what truly counts.
Haroon’s Comeback
Decades after introducing us to Dil Se, Haroon has returned with a new track. This year has seen several unexpected comebacks from artists of the past—The Backstreet Boys reminding us of Millennium, Oasis fans hoping the Gallagher brothers can keep the peace for their summer reunion, and even the ‘90s boyband Five making a return.
Haroon’s re-entry into the music scene has been quieter but no less significant. In February, he stirred excitement on Instagram by announcing his latest release, Cha Jaa, a collaboration with Aima Baig. Fans of Burka Avenger already know Haroon’s fondness for children’s entertainment, and Cha Jaa continues that streak as the official soundtrack for the animated series Planet Champs. This high-energy dance number carries an environmental message, much like a modern-day Captain Planet with a mix of live-action and animation. It may not be Heal the World, but it gets the job done.
For those uninterested in animated eco-adventures, Cha Jaa might not leave a lasting impression. However, it would be unfair to judge Haroon solely on this latest release when he has given us so much more—even if we have to take a nostalgic trip back in time to revisit it.
