Very so often, a song arrives that does not just enter playlists but seeps into late-night silences, replayed until it becomes part of lived memory. *Memories* by Hasan Raheem featuring Justin Bibis tries to do just that. Released under Sony Music, the track has already trended online, though its real significance lies in what it reveals about Raheem’s artistic evolution and his limits.
At its core, *Memories* is a lament about love. Raheem sings in a quiet tone, as if speaking directly to the listener. His words — *“Kitne tukron men ye dil gir chuka hai ab / Mera ishq hai na-tamam”* — sound personal. The poetry feels sincere but safe. Heartbreak and unrequited love are familiar subjects in pop music. While Raheem gives them emotional weight, the words rarely move beyond the familiar. One wishes for sharper imagery and fresher language to match the rawness of the feelings he is trying to share. But it never quite translates into the aching ballad that it needed to be.
The return of Justin Bibis feels deliberate, echoing a follow-up collaboration after Coke Studio 14’s *Peechay Hutt*. That track worked because it was in complete contrast to Justin Bibis’ style. The energy and audio production value were so high that *Peechay Hutt*, in retrospect, is as entertaining as it was when it released three years ago.
Given its success, another collaboration with Justin Bibis needed as much gravitas, if not more. However, *Memories* feels like a song that is meant to elevate Hasan Raheem. The presence of Justin Bibis seems intended to add to the harmonic section of the song and bring character to Raheem’s melancholic mood. As a collaboration, Justin Bibis are underused. Their voices have the strength to carry the track to another level, but the arrangement does not give them enough space to shine.
Shehryar Khan’s production is polished, textured with atmospheric synths and restrained percussion. It creates an ambience where Raheem’s vocals take centre stage. Still, the soundscape feels a little too careful, as if unwilling to risk disruption. It works, but at times drifts towards predictability. Pakistani pop has been braver in recent years, yet *Memories* seems content to stay within boundaries.
The music video adds drama with its wedding setting, complete with ex-lovers disrupting ceremonies and emotions spilling into spectacle. The imagery looks dramatic but leans toward excess. Instead of supporting the quiet mood of the song, it threatens to overtake it.
Placed against Raheem’s earlier discography, *Memories* doesn’t have enough power—as a single, a collaboration, or a music video. His early hits, including *Joona* and *Aisay Kaisay*, were minimalist and still have recall value. Even *Peechay Hutt* was bold and unpredictable. Meanwhile, his collaborative track with Natasha Noorani, *Faltu Pyar*, was layered and intelligent.
Compared to any of those songs, *Memories* lacks direction. It leaves behind groove and rhythm, focusing instead on intimacy. You might think that is progression, but all it does is raise questions. In stepping towards sincerity, is Raheem losing the unpredictability factor that once made his music so exciting?
Justin Bibis’ restrained role here underscores the same issue. In *Peechay Hutt*, they were electrifying. But the partnership we heard there is nonexistent in this song.
Still, the track’s cultural value cannot be entirely dismissed. Mixing Urdu and Punjabi with R&B and pop is a reflection of the hybrid identity of Pakistani music as it stands today. It may not be revolutionary, but it is accessible, which explains its quick adoption across reels and playlists.
However, accessibility is not the same as durability. For a song titled *Memories*, the approach feels cautious. Raheem has shown skill at creating music that trends. But music with lasting impact needs risk—both in sound and in words. *Memories* is restrained, but restraint alone may not secure permanence.
In the end, *Memories* is both promise and pause. It proves Hasan Raheem can be more than cool; he can embrace vulnerability. It shows Justin Bibis’ ability to adapt and why we need to hear more from this collaboration in the future.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1348545-hasan-raheem-plays-it-safe-with-his-collaboration-with-justin-bibis
