Pakistani singer-songwriter/composer Arooj Aftab has announced a new album, shared alongside its lead single and a slate of North American tour dates.
Night Reign arrives May 31 via Verve Records. It's the highly anticipated follow-up to Aftab's Grammy-winning 2021 album, Vulture Prince — which Exclaim! named one of the best albums of that year. The record features guest appearances from frequent collaborator Vijay Iyer, Moor Mother, Cautious Clay, Kaki King and more.
Today, the artist shares "Raat Ki Rani," the album's entrancing lead single. "'Raat Ki Rani' is about a person whose allure, magnetism, and charisma floats through a beautiful evening garden party," Aftab explained in a press release. "Interaction with the queen of the night feels unthinkable. Sometimes we must be content with an exchange of glances."
The song arrives alongside a video directed by Tessa Thompson, which you can see below. There, you'll also find the composer's North American tour itinerary, which includes dates supporting current Exclaim! cover stars Khruangbin, as well as a headlining show in Vancouver next January.
Night Reign:
1. Aey Nehin
2. Na Gul
3. Autumn Leaves (feat. James Francies)
4. Bolo Na (feat. Moor Mother, Joel Ross)
5. Saaqi (feat. Vijay Iyer)
6. Last Night (Reprise) (feat. Cautious Clay, Kaki King, Maeve Gilchrist)
7. Raat Ki Rani
8. Whiskey
9. Zameen (feat. Chocolate Genius, Inc.)
Arooj Aftab 2024–2025 Tour Dates:
07/22 Chicago, IL - Millennium Park Summer Series
07/23 Ridgefield, CT - Ridgefield Playhouse
07/24 New York, NY - TBD
07/25 Saugerties, NY - Opus 40
09/19 Boston, MA - Paradise
09/23 Washington, D.C. - The Anthem *
09/24 Washington, D.C. - The Anthem *
10/02 St. Louis, MO - The Factory *
10/03 St. Louis, MO - The Factory *
10/09 New Orleans, LA - Saenger Theatre *
10/10 New Orleans, LA - Saenger Theatre *
01/20 Vancouver, BC - Hollywood Theatre
01/21 Seattle, WA - Washington Hall
01/22 Portland, OR - Aladdin Theatre
01/24 San Francisco, CA - August Hall
01/25 Stanford, CA - Bing Concert Hall at Stanford Live
01/26 Los Angeles, LA - Fonda Theatre
* with Khruangbin
