7 Billion

It's good, for her health's sake, that New York-based ghazal singer Kiran Ahluwalia isn’t one of those artists, like Led Zeppelin, who title their albums numerically. 7 Billion refers to the number of people on the planet and the album alludes to how every person has their own unique perspective and set of experiences. Her song ‘Saat’ (Seven) insists that everyone's path is valid.

Ahluwalia's own unique perspective on Urdu ghazals is bolstered by the Touareg-inflected guitar twang of husband and producer Rez Abbasi and bluesy electric organ of Louis Simão. The album is slightly lightweight in terms of duration and content. The most successful tracks are the more Indian ones like ‘Saat’, ‘Raina’ and the ambitious swirling finale ‘We Sinful Women’. This sets words by feminist poet Kishwar Naheed – ‘it is we sinful women who come out raising the banner of truth’ – alongside driving guitar and organ solos: a strong message with a real musical kick.