No, this is not a new section. ‘Top recent listens’ seemed like a really bland name for this list. So, made it MMMMR 🙂
Sweet Disarray – Dan Croll
An interesting debut album by Dan Croll… the music is dubbed ‘folktronica’ and is a good mix of very likeable tunes, and even more likeable arrangements. Compliment Your Soul is a great starting point, with its world music’ish outlook firmly rooted in the folktronica sound.
Kshanam kshanam – Anaamika (Telugu – M.M.Keeravani)
Now that the film is out and is being mauled as a terrible remake, I guess the one good thing about the remake is the soundtrack. It’s amazing how Keeravani keeps himself revelant and busy even today, after so many years in the industry. His style still works and this song is proof of that.
Kaadhal kanave, Idhu enna & Raasa magaraasa – Mundasupatti (Tamil – Sean Roldan)
Sean Roldan seems all over the place suddenly, with 3 of this albums releasing in quick succession. While Idhu enna and Raasa magaraasa are lovely songs, my personal favorite in this soundtrack is Kaadhal kanave… there’s a distinct 90s Rahman’ness in it that I find so appealing.
Ninna danigaagi & Simple aagidde – Savaari 2 (Kannada – Manikanth Kadri)
Simple aagidde is catchy enough, but the soundtrack’s highlight is easily Ninna danigaagi. The pace of the song reminded me of Minnale’s Vaseegara – unhurried and tantalizingly slow. Beautiful composition by junior Kadri!
Yaemaarum janame, Verichodi ponathada & Kaadhala – Sathuranga Vettai (Tamil – Sean Roldan)
The other Sean Roldan soundtrack to release recently. Kaathala is my personal favorite here – Kalyani Nair’s vocals make a phenomenal difference!
Whistle baja – Heropanti (Hindi – Manj Musik)
I see a Hrithik Roshan’ish agility in Tiger Shroff, but more than the video, the song stands out too, with RDB’s (ex-RDB’s) Manjeet having a wonderful run with catchy Punjabi music. I read a lot of comments about how they didn’t like Nindy Kaur’s vocals, but I thought it suited Kriti Sanon’s personality and face well!
Anbu dhaan & Aagaasa nilavu – Manja Pai (Tamil – N R Raghunanthan)
Anbu dhaan reminded me so much of Raja’s classics like Uchi vagundheduthu – similar simplistic and somber tune. Aagaasa nilavu took me back to Deva’s music in En Aasai Machan – no idea why. Deva’s music was always (or, mostly) like poor-man’s Ilayaraja. Good for a large part, but the finesse and nuance was missing. Now that even Deva is making a comeback, it is interesting to see composers like Raghunanthan bring that sound back.
Vellai pandhu, Enname edho & Adaikkalam – Yaamirukka Bayame (Tamil – S.N.Prasad)
A good debut by KMMC student S.N.Prasad. He does have a flair for the tunes and in a song like Adaikkalam, he also seems to be trying something new.
Kadalakunda, Ee prema manakoddhu, Shwaase nuvve, Ningilona & Adiginde – Maine Pyar Kiya (Telugu – V.Pradeep Kumar)
One of the best debuts in recent times! The tunes, the sound, the singers… all pitch perfect! Tough to pick a favorite, but Shwaase nuvve ranks right on top. I really hope Pradeep makes it to Tamil films too soon.
Shukar tera – Samrat & Co. (Hindi – Mithoon)
That typical Mithoon sound. I do like it… or continue to like it, but I look forward to a slightly more spritely sound from the man, the kind he did in The Train (Woh ajnabi is still a personal favorite, besides the entire soundtrack).
Lakeeren & Jo dikhte ho – Kya Dilli Kya Lahore (Hindi – Sandesh Shandilya)
Nice little soundtrack that actually gives a lot of weight to poignant lyrics of Gulzar. I love Lakeeren!
Hai apna dil, Surroor & Sheeshe ka samundar – The Xpose (Hindi – Himesh Reshammiya)
A surprisingly enjoyable soundtrack from Himesh, despite the nasal twang. He’s worked hard on the tunes and it shows! Sheeshe ka samundar in particular, is a lovely song!
Neeyae & Idhayam – Arima Nambi (Tamil – Sivamani)
I expected more from Sivamani’s solo composing debut, but this is not bad either. It is a bit too commercial and confined to those limits, but nifty nuances like the water sound all over Neeyae is a nice, inventive touch.
Therindho theriyaamalo & Eeeramaai – Un Samayal Arayil (Tamil – Ilayaraja)
Personally, I prefer the Kannada version of this soundtrack, Oggaranne. The words and sound seem to gel much better in Kannada, than Telugu or Tamil. Good tunes by the maestro, anyway… Therindho theriyaamalo is my favorite.
Nenjukkulla nee, Low aana life, Kelunganne & Uyirin maeloru – Vadacurry (Tamil – Vivek-Mervin & Yuvan Shankar Raja)
The other good debut of the season, besides V.Pradeep Kumar in Maine Pyar Kiya (Telugu). This is a lively and enjoyable soundtrack that knows the pulse of the lister well and caters to it unabashedly. Yuvan’s solo song too is a great addition.
Uyir ennum & Unnidam ondrai – Vaarayo Vennilaave (Tamil – Karthik Raja)
Unnidam ondrai is simply wow – shows why Karthik Raja is a chip off the old block!
Listen to Uyir ennum, on Saavn.
Listen to Unnidam ondrai, on Saavn.
Dil aaj kal – Purani Jeans (Hindi – Ram Sampath)
The original sung by KK was great in itself, but Sona Mohapatra’s cover version (unplugged) is a fantastic addition! This lady does have a way with her unique voice and the attitude she throws in for good measure!
Azhagu – Saivam (Tamil – GV Prakash Kumar)
Superb singing debut from Unnikrishnan’s little daughter. The voice and use of her voice is very reminiscent of Indira’s Nila kaaigirathu, of course, but GVP’s attempt is mighty good in its own way.
Sulgi hui, Kaafi nahi & Bol rahi hai – Revolver Rani (Hindi – Sanjeev Srivastava)
Bol rani was my personal favorite given that I miss the Jatin Lalit sound even today (yes, it’s true!). It’s a pity it wasn’t sung by Kumar Sanu as planned earlier, but the vintage (a decade old, barely!) tune makes it up.
Listen to Sulgi hui, on Saavn.
Listen to Bol rahi hai, on Saavn.
Baby I love you, Malla malla & Maamu maamu – Maanikya (Kannada – Arjun Janya)
A crowd-pleasing soundtrack from Arjun, in line with a 2-hero starrer’s ambitions. He does seem to be turning more like Harikrishna with the catchy ditties, but in songs like Baby I love you, his real self comes out with lofty melodies.
Aaro aaro – Ring Master (Malayalam – Gopi Sundar)
Najeen Arshad gets a lovely tune to croon from Gopi Sundar who seems to be just everywhere and in every new Malayalam film! It’s a good thing that most Malayalam films have just 2-3 songs, so Gopi does in 4 films, what other language composers in do in one!
Pakalinu veyil – One By Two (Malayalam – Gopi Sundar)
Sayonara Philip’s vocals rule this song… I’m guessing she is also the voice for the impactful dialogs in the song (or, may not be, on 2nd thoughts!). That the song reminds me of Ilayaraja’s old song, Ilamaiyenum poongaatru, from Pagalil Oru Iravu. The music by Gopi Sundar is sweeping and enchanting!
Sadapalaya – Mr.Fraud (Malayalam – Gopi Sundar)
Singer Sithara more or less aces the song on her own till Sudeep Kumar joins her towards the latter half and does equally well. The classical Mohanam-based carnatic song has been reinterpreted intelligently by Gopi, in his own fusion style.
Maangalyam – Bangalore Days (Malayalam – Gopi Sundar)
Lively Punjabification of a Malayalee wedding. The tune is upbeat and instantly catchy.
