Kala Jaadu by Arjan Dhillon

Arjan Dhillon has delivered memorable performances before, but Kala Jaadu sits comfortably among the very best. The production by MX Rci is understated in the best way — supportive without overshadowing the vocal.

The voice of Arjan Dhillon carries Kala Jaadu effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. The chemistry of a talented ensemble cast is embedded in every moment of Kala Jaadu, making it as much a performance as a song.

The 2020 release gave fans something to hold onto — a track built for repeated listening rather than a single play. The emotional register of Kala Jaadu is wide enough to fit celebration and solitude equally well.

The concision of Kala Jaadu — just 2:20 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. It is, simply, one of the better songs to come from Punjabi in recent memory — and the numbers agree.