Rani by Jugraj Sandhu

Some songs are made for a single moment. Rani is made for all of them. Daoud has a history of strong work, and the music on Rani is among the most memorable of it.

The voice of Jugraj Sandhu carries Rani effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. The song is tied to a talented ensemble cast, whose presence gives Rani a visual dimension that fans of the film will always associate with it.

2021 was a strong year for Punjabi music, and Rani was among the reasons why. Listeners have described the experience of Rani differently — romantic, melancholic, uplifting — which suggests the song is large enough to hold many truths.

At 3:13, the track does not overstay its welcome — it says what it needs to say and leaves the listener wanting more. It is, simply, one of the better songs to come from Punjabi in recent memory — and the numbers agree.