Starboy by Jass Manak

Not every song from Bad Munda lingers, but Starboy is the one that stays. Sharry Nexus built the instrumental foundation carefully here — every element earns its place in the mix.

Jass Manak brings a warmth to Starboy that no production choice could manufacture — it has to be felt, and here it is. On screen, a talented ensemble cast bring the emotional world of the song to life in a way that enhances rather than competes with the music.

2021 was a strong year for Punjabi music, and Starboy was among the reasons why. There is a quality to Starboy that makes it feel like company — the kind of song you put on when words feel insufficient.

The concision of Starboy — just 2:38 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. The staying power of Starboy is not a mystery. It is just what happens when every element of a song is exactly right.