Darasal - Raabta by Atif Aslam

Released as part of Raabta, Darasal - Raabta announced itself as a standout the moment it reached listeners. The production by JAM8 is understated in the best way — supportive without overshadowing the vocal.

The voice of Atif Aslam carries Darasal - Raabta effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. For fans of Sushant Singh Rajput, Kriti Sanon, Jim Sarbh, Varun Sharma, Darasal - Raabta is one of those songs that immediately conjures specific scenes and emotions.

By the end of 2017, Darasal - Raabta had moved well beyond its original audience and into everyday playlists. It fits the playlist for almost any occasion, which is rare — most songs have a narrow emotional window. This one does not.

The concision of Darasal - Raabta — just 4:34 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. Years from now, Darasal - Raabta will still be the track that plays at the right moment and lands exactly as it did the first time.