Arooj Aftab

4477 fans

“The night,” Arooj Aftab confesses, “is my biggest source of inspiration.” By trial or intuition she’s come to understand that these still moments of cover uniquely enable healing, desire, shelter, love—each essential elements of life and living, of intimate relation to one another. Perhaps because its darkness loosens inhibitions or invites new ways of being, enticing all to leave the day as honestly as they entered it, night welcomes play and searching. So too does Aftab’s voice, its reach and intensity complimenting the sun’s departure. Night Reign (Verve, 2024) is a perfumed, public garden of renewal, peaking the senses with each composition, each turn of phrase, each modulation. Stepping away from, though never forgetting, the grief and loss that animated her Grammy Award-winning track “Mohabbat” and album Vulture Prince (Verve/New Amsterdam, 2021), on which she faced what can too quickly and easily be taken away, Aftab appears here with original music and in yet another form: as bard of everyday possibility, quietude, and life-altering romance.

It’s only appropriate that she begins Night Reign with a treatise on arrival (“Aey Nehin”), which questions when a love will appear and what has kept them so long. In and from this moment of uneasy anticipation, Aftab is guide into the shade of somber dreams and lustful fantasies, defiant flowers and regal scribes. Some of her nights are rain-swept and clean, organically opening paths to clarity; others hold low visibility and request that listeners follow her voice in order to steady their footing and heart. In this world, who knows what we will next encounter or be asked to survive. Whatever it is, be thankful that the season of her singing is perennial. Charged by the improvisational and arranging might of Aftab and featured collaborator James Francies, a revolutionary reinterpretation of the standard “Autumn Leaves” opens into previously unknown corridors. She reinvents space and time; returning, after Vulture Prince, to her chase of the moon and catching it in “Last Night Reprise” (ft. Cautious Clay, Kaki King, and Maeve Gilchrist), and channeling the exquisite whispers shared between the centuries-separated Urdu poet Mah Laqa Bai Chanda and Indian warrior Chand Bibi (“Na Gul”). Together with another longtimecollaborator, Vijay Iyer, Aftab slowly, deliberately walks listeners into a girl’s blossoming world of impending power in “Saaqi,” which resolves into an arrangement of Aftab’s layered harmonies. Listeners have not heard her like this before. Her breath punctuates each entrance, reminding them that her whole body is in these songs and convincing them that they all inhabit the same time and place. Take it in and hold it close.

Then surrender. “I think I’m ready to give into your beauty and let you fall in love with me,” is the twice repeated annotation that propels “Whiskey” into a perfect sky of vulnerability and longing, while “Zameen,” originally sung by the influential Begum Akhtar and featuring Marc Anthony Thompson, stretches for the universe in order to find peace here on earth. Aftab’s invitation to listeners to “bravely journey with this music,” traverses the heavens and heart while forcing all involved to also unflinchingly gaze into the darker recesses of the night, which appear on the album in myriad ways: heavier tones, more cavernous and clandestine locations, wider ruin. Along with Moor Mother and Joel Ross, Aftab transforms “Bolo Na” from a one-time love song into a crisis of faith grounded by an insistent, brooding bassline. A pulsating “Raat Ki Rani” accompanies listeners on an unforgettable ride deep into the dimly lit city—windows down and reservations suspended. Whether the few hours of the night-blooming jasmine’s apex will bring alarm or absolution cannot be predicted but Aftab inspires only trust in the journey.

The majesty of this intrepid work is her voice in ample conspiracy toward a jagged world made softer—promising, even—by tones and tales conceived with others. “I want to make music with and for everybody,” Aftab confidently declares. Night Reign is that chance and its triumph. Join and be made anew.

Top tracks

01
raat ki rani (Khruangbin Remix)
Arooj Aftab
raat ki rani (Khruangbin Remix)
04:35
Composers: Arooj Aftab
01
Aey Nehin
Arooj Aftab
Night Reign
05:44
Writer: Yasra Rizvi / Composers: Arooj Aftab
06
Last Night Reprise
Arooj Aftab
Night Reign
05:07
Writer: Rumi / Composers: Arooj Aftab
01
Baghon Main
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince
06:44
Composers: Arooj Aftab
04
Bolo Na
Arooj Aftab
Night Reign
06:12
Writer: Camae Ayewa / Composers: Arooj Aftab
01
Mehram
Asfar Hussain
Mehram
05:38
Writer: Asfar Hussain - Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan / Composers: Asfar Hussain - Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan
02
Na Gul
Arooj Aftab
Night Reign
05:27
Writer: Mah Laqa Bai Chanda / Composers: Arooj Aftab
04
Last Night
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince
05:58
Composers: Arooj Aftab
05
Mohabbat
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince
07:42
Composers: Arooj Aftab
06
Saans Lo
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince
07:31
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Annie Ali Khan
07
Suroor
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince
05:12
Composers: Arooj Aftab
02
Haseen Thi
Arooj Aftab
Love In Exile
12:09
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Vijay Iyer - Shahzad Ismaily
01
To Remain/To Return
Arooj Aftab
Love In Exile
09:19
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Vijay Iyer - Shahzad Ismaily
09
Zameen
Arooj Aftab
Night Reign
04:16
Writer: Shamim Jaipuri / Composers: Arooj Aftab - Marc Anthony Thompson - Begum Akhtar
01
Raat Ki Rani
Arooj Aftab
Raat Ki Rani
05:11
Composers: Arooj Aftab
02
Diya Hai
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince
05:40
Composers: Arooj Aftab
03
Autumn Leaves
Arooj Aftab
Night Reign
04:47
Composers: Jacques Prévert - Johnny Mercer - Joseph Kosma
04
Sajni
Arooj Aftab
Love In Exile
08:15
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Vijay Iyer - Shahzad Ismaily
03
Shadow Forces
Arooj Aftab
Love In Exile
14:11
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Vijay Iyer - Shahzad Ismaily
07
To Remain/To Return (Excerpt)
Arooj Aftab
Love In Exile
03:19
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Vijay Iyer - Shahzad Ismaily
03
Inayaat
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince
07:47
Composers: Arooj Aftab
04
Ovid's Metamorphoses
Arooj Aftab
Siren Islands
15:11
Writer: Arooj Aftab / Composers: Arooj Aftab
05
Saaqi
Arooj Aftab
Night Reign
06:44
Writer: Mah Laqa Bai Chanda / Composers: Arooj Aftab
01
Udhero Na
Arooj Aftab
Udhero Na
05:03
Composers: Arooj Aftab
08
Whiskey
Arooj Aftab
Night Reign
05:04
Composers: Arooj Aftab
01
Coming Home, Pt. 2
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
02:49
Writer: Nikita Danshin / Composers: Nikita Danshin
16
I Wonder
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
05:15
Writer: Arooj Aftab - Nikita Danshin / Composers: Arooj Aftab - Nikita Danshin
24
Screaming Lights
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
02:21
Writer: Nikita Danshin / Composers: Nikita Danshin
08
Seawall
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
00:57
Writer: Nikita Danshin / Composers: Nikita Danshin
17
Beyond the Smoke Screen
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
02:00
Writer: Arooj Aftab / Composers: Arooj Aftab
22
There Goes the Sun
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
07:27
Writer: Arooj Aftab / Composers: Arooj Aftab
05
Abode (feat. Анна Бо)
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
03:31
Writer: Nikita Danshin / Composers: Nikita Danshin
16
Forgotten Land
Deru
SPELLJAMS
07:49
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Benjamin Wynn
02
Rainy Streets
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
06:50
Writer: Nikita Danshin / Composers: Nikita Danshin
11
Clip Up and Let's Go
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
01:30
Writer: Arooj Aftab / Composers: Arooj Aftab
12
Starling
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
03:05
Writer: Nikita Danshin / Composers: Nikita Danshin
25
Storming The Gate
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
03:28
Writer: Arooj Aftab / Composers: Arooj Aftab
23
The Warmth of Parents' Hands
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
03:42
Writer: Arooj Aftab - Nikita Danshin / Composers: Arooj Aftab - Nikita Danshin
13
Post-Colonial Hangover
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
04:59
Writer: Arooj Aftab / Composers: Arooj Aftab
09
Glass Face
Cautious Clay
KARPEH
03:17
Composers: Cautious Clay - Kai Eckhardt - Arooj Aftab
27
Stub My Cigarette Out on Your Tail
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
00:43
Writer: Arooj Aftab / Composers: Arooj Aftab

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  • Discography
Albums
℗ 2024 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
31-05-2024
Night Reign
01
Aey Nehin
Arooj Aftab
Night Reign
05:44
Writer: Yasra Rizvi / Composers: Arooj Aftab
02
Na Gul
Arooj Aftab
Night Reign
05:27
Writer: Mah Laqa Bai Chanda / Composers: Arooj Aftab
03
Autumn Leaves
Arooj Aftab
Night Reign
04:47
Composers: Jacques Prévert - Johnny Mercer - Joseph Kosma
04
Bolo Na
Arooj Aftab
Night Reign
06:12
Writer: Camae Ayewa / Composers: Arooj Aftab
05
Saaqi
Arooj Aftab
Night Reign
06:44
Writer: Mah Laqa Bai Chanda / Composers: Arooj Aftab
06
Last Night Reprise
Arooj Aftab
Night Reign
05:07
Writer: Rumi / Composers: Arooj Aftab
07
Raat Ki Rani
Arooj Aftab
Night Reign
05:11
Composers: Arooj Aftab
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
℗ 2023 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
24-03-2023
Love In Exile
01
To Remain/To Return
Arooj Aftab
Love In Exile
09:19
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Vijay Iyer - Shahzad Ismaily
02
Haseen Thi
Arooj Aftab
Love In Exile
12:09
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Vijay Iyer - Shahzad Ismaily
03
Shadow Forces
Arooj Aftab
Love In Exile
14:11
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Vijay Iyer - Shahzad Ismaily
04
Sajni
Arooj Aftab
Love In Exile
08:15
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Vijay Iyer - Shahzad Ismaily
05
Eyes Of The Endless
Arooj Aftab
Love In Exile
14:40
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Vijay Iyer - Shahzad Ismaily
06
Sharabi
Arooj Aftab
Love In Exile
13:42
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Vijay Iyer - Shahzad Ismaily
07
To Remain/To Return (Excerpt)
Arooj Aftab
Love In Exile
03:19
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Vijay Iyer - Shahzad Ismaily
2022 Kill Rock Stars
16-08-2022
SPELLJAMS
01
Seeds Of Destruction
Magic Sword
SPELLJAMS
04:32
Composers: HYDE NOAH JAMES
02
Arena Of Blood
Osees
SPELLJAMS
03:35
Composers: DWYER JOHN PETER
03
Space Is A Place
Reggie Watts
SPELLJAMS
03:38
Composers: Reggie Watts - Steve Scalfati
04
Visible Lights
TEKE::TEKE
SPELLJAMS
03:59
Writer: Maya Kuroki / Composers: TEKE::TEKE
05
Far
Black Marble
SPELLJAMS
03:56
Composers: Chris Stewart ASCAP
06
Left Hand Path
Mikaela Davis
SPELLJAMS
04:23
Composers: Mikaela Davis
07
love is the disaster
Lucius
SPELLJAMS
04:48
Composers: Jess Wolfe - Holly Laessig
Access the complete album info (19 songs)
EggNut
08-06-2021
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
01
Coming Home, Pt. 2
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
02:49
Writer: Nikita Danshin / Composers: Nikita Danshin
02
Rainy Streets
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
06:50
Writer: Nikita Danshin / Composers: Nikita Danshin
03
Not Your Usual Night
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
04:06
Writer: Nikita Danshin / Composers: Nikita Danshin
04
Endless February, Pt. 1
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
03:44
Writer: Nikita Danshin / Composers: Nikita Danshin
05
Abode (feat. Анна Бо)
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
03:31
Writer: Nikita Danshin / Composers: Nikita Danshin
06
Public Disquiet
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
02:12
Writer: Nikita Danshin / Composers: Nikita Danshin
07
The Fall of Man
Danshin
Tails Noir (Original Game Soundtrack)
04:36
Writer: Nikita Danshin / Composers: Nikita Danshin
Access the complete album info (30 songs)
℗ 2021 Arooj Aftab, under exclusive license to Verve Label Group, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
23-04-2021
Vulture Prince
01
Baghon Main
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince
06:44
Composers: Arooj Aftab
02
Diya Hai
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince
05:40
Composers: Arooj Aftab
03
Inayaat
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince
07:47
Composers: Arooj Aftab
04
Last Night
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince
05:58
Composers: Arooj Aftab
05
Mohabbat
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince
07:42
Composers: Arooj Aftab
06
Saans Lo
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince
07:31
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Annie Ali Khan
07
Suroor
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince
05:12
Composers: Arooj Aftab
℗ 2022 Arooj Aftab, under exclusive license to Verve Label Group, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc
23-04-2021
Vulture Prince (Deluxe Edition)
01
Baghon Main
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince (Deluxe Edition)
06:44
Composers: Arooj Aftab
02
Diya Hai
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince (Deluxe Edition)
05:40
Composers: Arooj Aftab
03
Inayaat
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince (Deluxe Edition)
07:47
Composers: Arooj Aftab
04
Last Night
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince (Deluxe Edition)
05:58
Composers: Arooj Aftab
05
Mohabbat
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince (Deluxe Edition)
07:42
Composers: Arooj Aftab
06
Saans Lo
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince (Deluxe Edition)
07:31
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Annie Ali Khan
07
Suroor
Arooj Aftab
Vulture Prince (Deluxe Edition)
05:12
Composers: Arooj Aftab
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
℗ 2018 New Amsterdam
13-08-2018
Siren Islands
01
Island No. 1
Arooj Aftab
Siren Islands
08:01
Writer: Arooj Aftab / Composers: Arooj Aftab
02
Island No. 2
Arooj Aftab
Siren Islands
07:57
Writer: Arooj Aftab / Composers: Arooj Aftab
03
Island No. 3
Arooj Aftab
Siren Islands
17:44
Writer: Arooj Aftab / Composers: Arooj Aftab
04
Ovid's Metamorphoses
Arooj Aftab
Siren Islands
15:11
Writer: Arooj Aftab / Composers: Arooj Aftab
Singles
℗ 2025 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
14-03-2025
raat ki rani (Khruangbin Remix)
01
raat ki rani (Khruangbin Remix)
Arooj Aftab
raat ki rani (Khruangbin Remix)
04:35
Composers: Arooj Aftab
℗ 2024 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
12-12-2024
Aey Nehin (Mahogany Session)
01
Aey Nehin (Mahogany Session)
Arooj Aftab
Aey Nehin (Mahogany Session)
06:13
Writer: Yasra Rizvi / Composers: Arooj Aftab
℗ 2024 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
03-10-2024
Whiskey (Mahogany Session)
01
Whiskey (Mahogany Session)
Arooj Aftab
Whiskey (Mahogany Session)
05:18
Composers: Arooj Aftab
℗ 2024 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
07-05-2024
Whiskey
01
Whiskey
Arooj Aftab
Whiskey
05:04
Composers: Arooj Aftab
℗ 2024 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
18-04-2024
Raat Ki Rani
01
Raat Ki Rani
Arooj Aftab
Raat Ki Rani
05:11
Composers: Arooj Aftab
℗ 2023 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
23-02-2023
To Remain/To Return
01
To Remain/To Return (Excerpt)
Arooj Aftab
To Remain/To Return
03:19
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Vijay Iyer - Shahzad Ismaily
02
To Remain/To Return
Arooj Aftab
To Remain/To Return
09:19
Composers: Arooj Aftab - Vijay Iyer - Shahzad Ismaily
℗ 2022 Arooj Aftab, under exclusive license to Verve Label Group, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-04-2022
Baghon Main (Spotify Singles)
01
Baghon Main (Spotify Singles)
Arooj Aftab
Baghon Main (Spotify Singles)
05:28
Composers: Arooj Aftab
℗ 2022 Arooj Aftab, under exclusive license to Verve Label Group, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc
18-03-2022
Udhero Na
01
Udhero Na
Arooj Aftab
Udhero Na
05:03
Composers: Arooj Aftab