Ali Sethi’s Love Language: A Struggle Against Censorship and Identity
Opening with a Dystopian Overture
Ali Sethi’s debut album, Love Language, kicks off with a song that listeners are not permitted to fully experience. The track “O Balama (Censored Love Song)” features delicate piano keys and Sethi’s candlelit croon, but it is persistently disrupted by bursts of radio-jamming static. This cacophony escalates into a dystopian soundscape filled with whirring helicopter blades, distant screams, and bass that detonates like artillery. This poignant introduction lays bare the stakes of the album, showcasing a voice steeped in centuries of syncretic South Asian musical traditions, striving to be heard amid the clamor of nationalism, identity politics, and state-sanctioned erasure.
Censorship and Its Consequences
The struggle depicted in “O Balama” is not merely metaphorical. In May of this year, after four days of military clashes between India and Pakistan, the Indian government mandated streaming platforms to cease hosting content from Pakistan. Sethi, a U.S. citizen residing in New York but originally from Lahore, found himself abruptly disconnected from his primary audience. His Instagram account faced restrictions in India, and much of his work vanished from major streaming platforms, including his breakout hit from 2022, “Pasoori.” The song’s core message—advocating love as a remedy for imposed divisions—was deemed too risky for “national security.”
Targeted by Bigotry
Censorship is just one of the myriad threats confronted by Sethi. In Pakistan, his queer identity has rendered him a target for the religious right. In 2023, following unfounded rumors about his marriage to Pakistani-American painter Salman Toor, Sethi faced a wave of homophobic harassment, including calls for violence against him. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the resurgence of Trump has coincided with an uptick in anti-immigrant rhetoric and Islamophobic hate crimes. Across the globe, the ideals that Sethi embraces—borderless, pluralistic, and rooted in a collective sense of humanity—appear to be on the defensive, engaged in a desperate fight against intolerance and discrimination.
Subversive Pop and Cultural Fusion
With Love Language, Sethi mounts a counteroffensive, creating vibrant, playfully subversive pop songs that not only challenge existing binaries but seek to dissolve them entirely. The album melds Punjabi folk with explosive hyperpop; Hindustani classical ragas intertwine with flamenco guitar in an intricate dance; Sufi devotional meditations are wrapped in lo-fi, banjo-infused Americana. The boundaries between East and West, sacred and sensual, dissolve into a phantasmagorical fever dream.
Exploring Forbidden Love
On the Bollywood-meets-bossa-nova track “Hanera,” Sethi sings of clandestine love using innuendo-laden Punjabi lyrics, while tabla flourishes ripple over club-ready bass and metronomic percussion. The dizzying spiral of “Hymn 4 Him” features warp-speed tabla rhythms that meld raga with reggaeton, conjuring images of waving “our flags in the enemy’s face” alongside whirling dervishes at a Pride rally. Another standout, “Lovely Bukhaar,” hovers between campy striptease and a euphoric meltdown. Sethi’s blown-out vocals, layered with digital compression and fervent desire, duet with a heavily vocoded sarangi, punctuated by finger-snap percussion, as he sings of love as an overwhelming obsession and addiction.
Conclusion
Ali Sethi’s Love Language emerges as a powerful testament to the resilience of love and identity in the face of censorship and oppression. Through its eclectic soundscapes and bold thematic explorations, the album not only celebrates the richness of South Asian musical traditions but also serves as a clarion call for inclusivity and acceptance. As Sethi navigates the complexities of his identity and the societal forces that seek to silence him, he invites listeners to join him in a shared journey toward love and liberation.
FAQs
What is the main theme of Ali Sethi’s album Love Language?
The album primarily explores themes of love, identity, and the struggle against censorship and societal oppression, particularly in the context of South Asian culture.
Why was Ali Sethi’s music censored in India?
Following military clashes between India and Pakistan, the Indian government ordered streaming platforms to remove content from Pakistan, which affected Sethi’s works, including his hit song “Pasoori.”
How does Sethi blend different musical genres in Love Language?
Sethi combines various musical influences, including Punjabi folk, hyperpop, Hindustani classical, flamenco, and lo-fi Americana, creating unique soundscapes that defy traditional genre boundaries.
What challenges has Ali Sethi faced due to his queer identity?
Sethi has faced significant backlash and homophobic trolling in Pakistan, particularly following rumors about his personal life, making him a target for the religious right.
