Jonita and Ali Sethi’s ‘Love Like That’ Brings a Qawwali-Pop Collab
The Indo-Canadian artist’s first release on 91 North Records brings in the Pakistani-American artist, producer Ariza
Jonita and Ali Sethi in a still from their new video 'Love Like That.'
Singer-composer Jonita Gandhi (who now goes by her first name as a pop artist) teams up with Pakistani-origin hitmaker Ali Sethi for “Love Like That,” a qawwali-informed hyper-pop tune that opens Jonita’s upcoming debut EP via the Indo-Canada focused label 91 North Records, created by Warner Music India and Warner Music Canada.
Both Jonita and Sethi effortlessly traverse pop styles but also bring their distinct vocal approach to the track, which is produced by Ariza (known for his work with pop stars like Dua Lipa). In the music video directed by filmmaker Priya Minhas that’s shot in London, sees them play up desi diaspora motifs centered around an impending wedding, with Jonita as the bride. Described in a press release as a video that “illustrates an aspirational modern-day fairytale.” The release adds, “Weaving Indian and Western influences to showcase Punjabi wedding culture in its finest forms with fashion forward traditional garments to cultural dances, the scenes give viewers a glimpse into a culture that is as bold as it is authentic.”
In a press statement, Jonita says she always wanted to work with Sethi, the hitmaker who, in most recent memory, had the Coke Studio Pakistan song “Pasoori” to his name in 2022 with singer Shae Gill. He brings exactly that kind of pop and traditionally-rooted versatility to his vocals on “Love Like That,” even as Jonita switches between English and Punjabi vocals. She adds, “When we got into the studio together in L.A., this song poured out of us organically. This is more than just a song; it’s a journey through cultures, history, and emotion. We’ve poured our hearts into this, and it feels fresh and unlike anything we’ve heard before. I honestly can’t wait for people to experience the magic we’ve created together.”
Sethi adds about the release in a statement, “Jonita is a pioneer and is doing something bold, exciting and fresh. We live in the world of contemporary music and pop culture and we’re building those bridges that welcomes and embraces multiple identities.”
Jonita’s upcoming debut EP via 91 North Records is slated for release on February 2nd. Often known as a reliable hit singer in Indian film soundtracks, with songs like “What Jhumka?” and “Arabic Kuthu,” the upcoming collection of songs is slated to “mark her emergence as a boundary breaking South Asian Pop artist,” the press release adds.
Watch the video for “Love Like That” below.
