Misjudged by Safiya Sayyed: Review

by admin October 23, 2025

October 23, 2025

Los Angeles-based Indian artist Safiya Sayyed unleashes an epic fusion of East and West with her new single “Misjudged,” released on September 26th, 2025. Following the viral success of her debut “Crave,” which amassed over a million streams, Safiya returns with something grander and bolder, an alternative rock odyssey that bridges the cinematic and the spiritual.

Co-produced by Safiya herself, “Misjudged” tells the story of a misunderstood queen, inspired by the legend of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his wife, and reimagined as a tale of feminine strength, perception, and resilience. With its roaring guitars, orchestral flair, and Indian classical undertones, the track captures her distinctive blend of cultural roots and modern rock edge.

The song opens with writhing, melodic, evocative, and rich Indian strings, before they’re overtaken by bounding drums and gritty electric guitars that grind and snarl with conviction. It’s a sonic tug-of-war between beauty and chaos, tradition and rebellion. Safiya rises above it all with her commanding, soulful, and raw voice, channeling defiance and vulnerability. When she belts out, “’Cause her life is so misjudged, yeah her soul is so misjudged,” the emotion cuts straight through the noise. Her delivery feels anthemic, almost operatic, yet dives into the humanity of the sisterhood, femininity, and injustice.

As the song unfolds, the production evolves like a cinematic storm, with layered harmonies, sharp percussion, and a blistering guitar solo that hits like a battle cry. Beneath the grandeur, the lyrics tell a universal story of being misunderstood, of power mistaken for pride, and kindness mistaken for weakness. By the final chorus, Safiya’s voice soars to electrifying heights, as it lifts the song into cathartic release.

“Misjudged” is a statement of identity and reclamation. Safiya Sayyed transforms history into emotion, crafting a fearless and unyielding sound just as the woman she sings for.