Pakistani rapper and songwriter Talha Anjum has elevated desi hip-hop since 2013 as part of the duo Young Stunners and as a solo artist delivering introspective, emotive and accessible bars about everyday life. Anjum’s banter with Young Stunners co-founder Talhah Yunus marked them out among the pioneers of hip-hop from Karachi, as exemplified on their 2017 album Rebirth. In 15 songs that span about an hour, Young Stunners proved that local was the new global. It’s an ethos Anjum carried forward into songs such as “Gumaan” as well as on Young Stunners tracks like “Laga Reh”. With the duo tapping into more mainstream audiences by singing on “Phir Milenge” for Coke Studio Pakistan in 2022, Anjum made the leap to release his debut solo album Open Letter the following year. Signposting a newly mature phase for Anjum as a lyricist and rapper, the album brings in regulars like producers Jokhay and Umair for late-night driving jams such as “Downers at Dusk” as well as collaborations in the vein of “Touch Base” with Delhi’s KR$NA.