KARACHI – Usman Riaz’s first video ‘Fire Fly’ from his debut album ‘Flashes and Sparks’ would be released nationwide on February 28, a press release said. Seldom seen in today’s cookie-cutter world of commercial pop, Riaz’s debut album, a three-tracked offering, has indeed upped the ante for budding musicians.
Terms such as eclectic, electrifying, clean, incisive, fall by the wayside, incapable of expressing the depth and maturity of the young musician’s work. Wielding a modified acoustic guitar with a pickup, the guitar’s neck and body for percussive accompaniment, Riaz has managed to carve out his own signature style.
It takes a slow motion review of the video to spell out the complexity in his playing style. Hailing from a family of talented, creative people, he was nurtured into his love of music and art from a young age. A long association – since age six – with the piano followed, an instrument which he plays in a contrasting, flowing style to his guitar work.
Exposed to classical doctrines of music, theatre and art, the early years provided a stimulus for his works today. He agrees that his favourite blend of music is the eastern and western classical genres. As a part of his natural growth as musician, he took up the guitar a few years ago at the age of 16, possibly to liberate his creativity from the structured environment of the piano.
The guitar has, therefore, compelled him to explore a substantially larger musical canvass. Additionally, Riaz has developed proficiency on the banjo, mandolin, harmonica, harmonium and percussive instruments.
He is indeed the face of a newer generation of original content creators who are willing to experiment and receive critical acclaim for their efforts. Devoid of computer-based animation and graphics, the video is a perfect vehicle to spell out the experience that is Usman Riaz’s music.
‘Flashes and Sparks’ has been sternly holding the number one position on music album charts for five consecutive weeks.
