Global music and art platform Humnava has released its fourth track, Holoyor, as it continues to transform the music experience through weekly releases, intimate listening sessions, and community-driven cultural gatherings designed to connect audiences more deeply with music and storytelling.
The latest release marks another chapter in Humnava’s evolving first season, which blends music, conversation, reflection, and artistic collaboration into what the platform describes as a “movement of togetherness.”
Recorded at the scenic yet climate-vulnerable Attabad Lake in Hunza, Holoyor — meaning “beloved” — is a haunting and emotional Wakhi-language composition exploring themes of memory, longing, identity, and the quiet grief of losing one’s former self. The song reflects on childhood innocence and the emotional passage of time, creating a deeply introspective listening experience rooted in cultural heritage and spiritual resonance.
The project has been curated by renowned Pakistani music producer Xulfi and musician Sherry Khattak. The track features vocals by Naveed Hassan (Naveed Deevon), Yamna Rahim, and Nazalia Rahim, accompanied by a diverse ensemble of musicians blending traditional and contemporary sounds.
The arrangement incorporates electric and acoustic guitars, rubab, Chitrali sitar, flute, bass, synth, percussion, and traditional duff rhythms, creating a layered soundscape that merges mountain-inspired musical textures with modern production aesthetics.
Speaking about the release, Humnava Co-Founder and Creative Director Xulfi described Holoyor as a deeply personal reflection on reconnecting with one’s “inner child” and preserving a sense of wonder and emotional freedom despite societal pressures and personal transformation over time.
The song was written by M Rahim (Faiz Rahim) and co-composed by Rahim and Xulfi. Production and mixing were handled by Xulfi, while mastering was completed by Stuart Hawkes at Metropolis Mastering in London.
The accompanying music video was directed by Soheb Akhtar, with cinematography by Zain Haleem and post-production support from Mehroz Raza and Hunain Shamim. The visual production further amplifies the emotional and atmospheric themes of the track against the dramatic backdrop of Hunza’s natural landscape.
Beyond the music itself, Humnava has begun hosting intimate weekly gatherings where artists, collaborators, and audiences come together for listening sessions, discussions, unreleased previews, and creative exchange. These events aim to extend the experience beyond digital streaming and build a sense of cultural connection and shared artistic identity.
Founded by Xulfi and Muhammad Ibrahim under the banner of Giraffe, Humnava positions itself as a global music and art movement rooted in Pakistan. Its first season brought together more than 30 musicians and creatives from Pakistan, France, Germany, Algeria, Zambia, and other countries in an immersive collaboration camp held in Hunza.
Following Holoyor, the platform plans to continue Season 1 with upcoming releases including Sway, Lost in Love, Koi Achi Khabar, Isekta, and Darmaan, further expanding Humnava’s vision of cross-cultural storytelling through sound.
Holoyor is now available on YouTube, Spotify, and multiple broadcast platforms worldwide.
