“This album, as its name suggests, is about time and what it can do to a person. The elements of love, longing and the passing of time bind the songs,” says Rao, who has belted out hits like Pari and Ab ke baras in the 1990s and will release her fifth solo album mid-July. “It is also my attempt at composing and writing songs. The compositions are raga-based, contemporary tracks, I’d say lyrically they are driven by different emotions,” she adds. Rao’s return comes with a social message too as she sings for Laadli, the initiative of the UNFPA for the girl child. “The song Sun zara is a dedication to the girl child. I was in the midst of recording the song when the UNFPA approached me to use entertainment to spread awareness about the issue,” says Rao, who is also the official spokesperson of Laadli.

But what took her so long to bring out an album? She says, “I am basically not a playback singer. When I’m not releasing an album, I’m busy touring. And then somewhere in the middle of it all, the tunes come and we get into the studio.” Having sung for AR Rahman and Anu Malek in the past, doesn’t she want to croon for movies at all ? “Actually, I do. A good song is after all a good song,” she laughs.