INTRODUCTION
Sunny Khan Durrani also known as SKD, born and raised in Peshawar, Pakistan has dropped his fifth studio album called as “Shaitaan ki Saat Shartain”. The title conveys the theme of the album. It features 7 tracks ( intro and interlude are excluded) and each step is a bet. i mean an artist has to take seven steps for the stardom and upon each step there’s devil standing for you, you have to pay the price for the success, you have to sell your soul to the devil. It goes like “The price of success is higher than you think”
SOUND & STYLE
(1) Agreement [Intro] – The album opens with the intro called agreement, where the artist is signing a deal with the satan. He signs four pages of the contract which means the artist accepted 4 shartain of shaitan and the other 3 shartain are still pending.
(2) Artist – “Album ka Pehla Gaana, Pehla Shart”. SKD talks about how an artist get distracted after getting a little fame but it’s not his fault i mean the devil provokes the artist that he’s bigger than everyone in the scene and the whole world revolves around him. After few releases the artist gets into delusion, He thinks that he’s the most talented and most matured and only he’s having problems in his life. The person becomes narcissistic and thinks he’s being above than the rest
(3) Neelam Ghar – The track opens with the artist talking about numbers. After a closer look it says 6-3-9. The number 639 is an angelic number which represents balanced life and relationships but the irony used here is crazy. i mean the title itself of the song says“Neelam Ghar” which means the house is on auction and the relations are being sold. The artist talks about how the narcissistic approach of the artist destroys his relations and contacts.
Also Bazm-e-Tariq Aziz (also known as Neelam Ghar and Tariq Aziz Show) was a quiz-format game show hosted by Tariq Aziz on PTV which started in 1975 and lasted for many years. Neelam Ghar was the first television show in Pakistan to have mass audience participation, commercial sponsorships for specific questions. It was based on the teachings of the religion and seeks to educate individuals about the Islamic way of life.
(4) Baat Na Pucho – Here the artist is in a stage where he only listens to the sayings of satan, he doesn’t likes to talk, he doesn’t want to share anything, yes these are the consequences of doing a deal with the devil. He’s unconscious and is seeking for help
(5) Bhaago [Interlude] – “Chaar Shartein Hone Ke Baad”The artist realises his mistakes and wants to escape but it’s too late, The devil is whispering in his heads that he knows everything about him and he can’t escape until the completion of all 7 shartain. As we have heard about the conspiracy theories of illuminati where a person can’t leave until the whole contract or deal is done
(6) Gunaah –He finally realised his sins and accepted his mistakes as He was searching for goodness even in bad places and dream of paradise while facing dark realities. He’s offering everything he have to the devil and asking to let him go. The track reflects human struggles, balancing sin and virtue, and the hope for redemption despite flaws.
(7) Jung – As he realised his sins now he wants to fix everything. It’s a fightback anthem, He’s fighting his own self. He’s fighting with his own thoughts that are leading him to failure. He wants to transform himself and want to be a better person
(8) Raks e Aakhir – The Phrase“Each Pray’r Accepted, And Each Wish Resign’d”From the poem Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind by Alexander Pope (1717) : Héloïse is grateful because her prayer for painful memories to be forgotten had been answered. She then resigns her wish to be back with Peter because she finally understands that he never really loved her — SKD life also relates with this as his greed for fame and money destroyed everything he had and now he’s seeking forgiveness and guidance from god
(9) Dawaat – Skit : The devil talks with the artist. he’s uses the famous hindi phrase – Jab cheenti ki moat aati haina,
To uske parr nikal aate hain” which means when a person knows that he’s gonna die then he tries everything he can to save his life. The devil talks with SKD and says that he can’t escape this trap chahe kitni bhi koshish karlein
PRODUCTION
The production on this album is a masterclass in crafting an immersive atmosphere that perfectly complements the album’s devilish theme. One of the standout elements is the genious use of high-pitched frequencies in the monologues and dialogue. These accents makes the listener feel like they’re being slowly pulled into a dark world
CONCLUSION
Overall “Shaitaan ki Saat Shartain” is a conceptual album that takes listeners on a journey through the seven steps of a bargain, where the price of success is higher than one thinks.
Throughout the album, SKD’s storytelling is both personal and relatable, drawing parallels between his own experiences and the universal human struggle
If you’re a fan of conceptual albums, then “Shaitaan ki Saat Shartain” is an absolute must-listen.
SHAITAAN KI SAAT SHARTAIN – SUNNY KHAN DURRANI
