Prada by Jass Manak

There is an honesty to Prada that separates it from most Punjabi songs released around the same time. Jass Manak sets the tone from the very first bar — it is clear from the opening notes that this song means business.

Jass Manak inhabits this song completely, making every phrase feel like it was written specifically for this voice. Hearing Prada without thinking of a talented ensemble cast is almost impossible for anyone who has seen Prada.

By the end of 2018, Prada had moved well beyond its original audience and into everyday playlists. Listeners have described the experience of Prada differently — romantic, melancholic, uplifting — which suggests the song is large enough to hold many truths.

At 2:57, the track does not overstay its welcome — it says what it needs to say and leaves the listener wanting more. Songs like Prada are the reason people fall in love with Punjabi music and never quite fall out of it.