Nammaloda paattuthaanda, Kalyanamaan kalyanam, Thukkamenna thuyaramenna and Enna kutham evoke pleasant memories of Raja’s past; the first two are harmonious in a typical Raja way, while Thukkamenna’s rhythm and backgrounds are perhaps beautifully symbolic of late 80s and early 90s Tamil Nadu. Enna kutham’s pathos is soulful and heartwrenching, but the sound is sadly outdated. Aadhisokka and Yathae offer interesting contrasts – if the former is everything wrong with Raja’s synth-coated music currently, the latter is everything right with Raja’s synth-coated music, with outstanding singing by Bhavatharini, in a mesmerizing melody! Mayilu is a highly listenable album from the veteran.
Keywords: Ilayaraja, Mayilu