Rabbiya by Nasnin

Few songs from 2020 have held their ground as well as Rabbiya, a track that keeps finding new audiences. What makes Rabbiya musically distinctive is the composition by Sayan S, which balances simplicity with depth.

The vocal on Rabbiya is among the better performances Nasnin has committed to record. The connection between a talented ensemble cast and this song is part of what makes it resonate beyond the film itself.

The song dates from 2020, but nothing about it sounds dated — the emotions it captures are not tied to a moment. There is no right time to listen to Rabbiya. There is only the moment you press play and realise it was the right choice.

The concision of Rabbiya — just 5:18 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. The staying power of Rabbiya is not a mystery. It is just what happens when every element of a song is exactly right.