Mere Baba by Jubin Nautiyal, Payal Dev

Mere Baba is the kind of song that earns its place in a playlist and then refuses to leave. Payal Dev has a history of strong work, and the music on Mere Baba is among the most memorable of it.

Jubin Nautiyal, Payal Dev inhabits this song completely, making every phrase feel like it was written specifically for this voice. Hearing Mere Baba without thinking of a talented ensemble cast is almost impossible for anyone who has seen Mere Baba.

By the end of 2022, Mere Baba had moved well beyond its original audience and into everyday playlists. There is no right time to listen to Mere Baba. There is only the moment you press play and realise it was the right choice.

Running to 4:00, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. Mere Baba has earned its place in the catalogue of Indian Pop music that genuinely matters. The listeners who found it early already knew.