Hi everyone,
We’re so excited to share our latest single, Shahar-er Alo (City Lights), with you, along with two very special B-sides: Prophets of Profit and Endless Horizon (Piano Acoustic). Each of these tracks represents a different side of Crystal Youth—vivid, bold, and reflective—and we can’t wait for you to hear them.
Shahar-er Alo: A Love Letter to City Life
Ayesha here! Shahar-er Alo is one of the most personal songs I’ve ever performed. It’s inspired by my memories of growing up in Dhaka—a city that’s chaotic and overwhelming but also full of beauty and magic. I wanted to capture that duality, the energy of the streets lit by neon signs, the quiet moments you find amidst the noise.
The Bangla lyrics in this track mean so much to me. Language is a huge part of my identity, and it felt natural to include Bangla in this song. For me, singing in Bangla is like bringing a piece of home into our music, but it’s also about sharing that with the world.
Michael loves this one too:
Michael: “I remember when Ayesha came in with the Bangla lyrics for the chorus—it completely transformed the song. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about city lights; it became this deeply personal love letter to her experiences, and it made the whole track feel alive. The energy, the drive—it’s all there.”
The shimmering synths and pulsing rhythm mirror the vibrancy of city life, and we hope it makes you feel like you’re walking those streets with us.
Prophets of Profit: An Anthem of Anger and Resistance
This song is pure fire—angry, unapologetic, and loud. It’s a condemnation of unchecked capitalism and the exploitation it thrives on.
We wrote this one because we were tired of seeing the same cycles of greed and exploitation, where the rich get richer, and the rest of us are left to pick up the pieces. The lyrics are biting on purpose. Lines like, “They’ve crucified kindness, enthroned despair, and declared their god for all to bear,” are meant to hit hard, because that’s the reality we’re facing.
Ayesha: “This is probably the angriest song we’ve ever written. It’s so different from Horizons, but that’s what makes it stand out, and it’s where we’re going in the work for our second album. Sometimes you need to scream about the injustice you see in the world, and this song is our way of doing that.”
Musically, it’s heavier than anything we’ve done before. The gritty guitars, pounding drums, and raw energy are deliberate. We wanted this track to feel uncomfortable because the systems it critiques are uncomfortable, unjust, and unsustainable.
Michael: “When I was writing the chorus, I kept thinking about how the market is treated like a god in our world—something we’re all supposed to bow down to, no matter the cost. But every temple crumbles, and this song is about calling out that façade.”
Endless Horizon (Piano Acoustic): A Moment of Stillness
And then there’s Endless Horizon (Piano Acoustic), the quieter counterpart to the grand opening track of Horizons.
Ayesha: “We both love how cinematic the original version of Endless Horizon is, but this stripped-down version feels so different. It’s intimate, like having a quiet conversation about hope and courage.”
Michael: “I wanted to let the lyrics breathe a bit more in this version. The piano brings a simplicity and vulnerability to the track, and it reminds me why we wrote it in the first place—to inspire that sense of possibility, even when you’re standing at the edge of the unknown.”
It’s amazing how the same song can feel so different with a new arrangement. We hope this version resonates with you in a quieter, more reflective way.
Why This Release Matters to Us
This single release is special because it shows so many sides of who we are as a band.
Ayesha: “With Shahar-er Alo, I get to share a piece of my heritage and the beauty of the city life that shaped me. With Prophets of Profit, we’re channeling our anger at the injustice we see in the world. And with Endless Horizon (Piano Acoustic), we’re slowing things down and finding hope again. It’s all part of the journey.”
Michael: “This release feels like a milestone for us. It’s bold and dynamic, and it shows how much we’ve grown—not just musically, but as storytellers. We’re exploring new sounds and themes while staying true to who we are.”
Listen Now
Shahar-er Alo (City Lights), Prophets of Profit, and Endless Horizon (Piano Acoustic) are available now on all major streaming platforms. Each track tells a story, and we can’t wait for you to hear them and make those stories your own.
From the vibrant streets of Dhaka to a defiant call for justice to the quiet beauty of endless possibilities, this release captures so many of the things we care about. We hope you’ll love it as much as we do.
Michael & Ayesha
Crystal Youth