2024 has been a groundbreaking year for Pakistan music, with two remarkable albums making waves internationally. In a stunning turn of events, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s lost album Chain of Light has claimed the top spot on the prestigious Guardian’s list of best albums, while Arooj Aftab’s Night Reign has secured the sixth position.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s impact on global music is unmatched, decades after his untimely death. Chain of Light, a collection of four unreleased tracks from 1990, highlights his extraordinary talent. His qawwalis includes, Ya Allah Ya Rehman, Aaj Sik Mitran Di, Ya Gaus Ya Meeran and Khabram Raseed Imshab. The Guardian describes the album as “a remarkable discovery,” further solidifying his legacy as one of the world’s greatest voices and a key figure in shaping music worldwide.




Meanwhile Pakistan- American singer Arooj Aftab continues to shine on the global stage with her album ‘Night Reign which landed at number six.Aftab is known for fusing the classical South Asian music with modern minimalism.

She explores themes of love, loss and the mysterious charm of the night in Night Reign. After her 2021 Grammy-nominated album Vulture Prince, Aftab has solidified her place as a pioneer in contemporary global music.

 
Here is the list of all 10 people/albums in The Guardian's 2024 ranking:

1. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Chain of Light
2. Milton Nascimento and Esperanza Spalding – Milton + Esperanza
3. Fabiano do Nascimento and Sam Gendel – The Room
4. Lord Spikeheart – The Adept
5. Joe Rainey – Latest Project
6. Arooj Aftab – Night Reign
7. Malcolm Jiyane Tree-O – True Story
8. Ganavya – Daughter of a Temple
9. DJ Love – Budots World (Reloaded)
10. Enji and Simon Popp – Poeji – Nant


Earlier, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s legendary voice returns with the release of Chain of Light, a lost album released on Friday 20 September 2024 by Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records.
The album was recorded in 1990 at Real World Studios. There are four tracks in the 41-minute album.

The songs, including ‘Ya Allah Ya Rehman’ and ‘Aaj Sik Mitran Di’ take listeners back to the energy of Khan’s live concerts.

 The track ‘Ya Gaus Ya Meeran’ adds intensity, while ‘Khabram Raseed Imshab’ offers a joyful tone, highlighting the range of Khan’s legendary vocals.

In addition to Nusrat on harmonium and vocals, the album features his brother Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan, tabla player Dildar Hussain, and chorus members Mujahid Ali, Rehmat Ali, Rahat Ali, Asad Ali, Ghulam Farid, and Khalid Mahmood.

Peter Gabriel, founder of Real World Records, shared his admiration for Nusrat when the album was first announced in June.