Saptak cover

Released 17 years ago this October

Saptak

Mekaal Hasan Band · 2009

62 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock

A fusion of traditional South Asian music with modern rock elements, creating a vibrant and compelling sonic landscape.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Chal Bulleya — This track introduces the album's thematic exploration of longing and spirituality through its uplifting melodies and rich instrumentation, setting the tone for the entire record.
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    Bandeya — With its rhythmic complexity and emotive lyrics, this song captures the essence of cultural storytelling, showcasing both the band's musical prowess and cultural roots.
  • →
    Mahi — This closing track features an intricate arrangement that blends traditional motifs with modern rock sensibilities, leaving listeners with a powerful and resonant finale.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album effectively merges traditional and modern elements, showcasing strong craftsmanship and distinctiveness in its sound.

What we noticed

  • The vocal delivery often shifts between melodic singing and more spoken-word elements, adding variety to the lyrical presentation.
  • The last two tracks slow down significantly, providing a contrasting conclusion to the album's energetic earlier sections.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Chal Bulleya 4:30
  • 2 Bandeya 4:46
  • 3 Ranjha 4:00
  • 4 Jhak Ranjhan 4:25
  • 5 Sanwal 4:44
  • 6 Bhageshwari 4:43
  • 7 Huns Dhun 5:21
  • 8 Waris Shah 7:27
  • 9 Andholan 6:23
  • 10 Mahi 6:27
  • 11 Albella 9:57

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata