Originally published in .
Edhukku Machaan
Mapla Singam (Tamil)
Music: N. R. Raghunanthan
‘Edhukku Machaan’ is Raghunanthan channelling his inner D. Imman channelling his inner Ilaiyaraaja. Yes, this is a song that may move Imman to tears, either because “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” or because, “Aiyo, other composers have found my secret sauce!” That’s precisely what Raghunanthan does — he takes the crux of Ilaiyaraaja’s ‘Poojaiketha Poovithu’ from Neethana Andha Kuyil (1986), adds Imman-style thumping faux-folk bounce to it and delivers it via Velmurugan and Aalaap Raju’s punchy vocals. Result: foot-tapping earworm.
Mila Mila
Kerintha (Telugu)
Music: Mickey J Meyer
Mickey J Meyer is known for a certain style of music, in Telugu. The song from Kerintha which truly embodies that style is ‘Mila Mila’. It’s easy on the ears, thanks to a simple, repetitive rhythm, but what Mickey does to the song is also infuse lively interludes that border on world music. Karthik seldom goes wrong with frothy, pleasant songs like this and his vocals add tremendous value to the song’s appeal.
California Dreamin’
Music: Sia
OST San Andreas
The Mamas & The Papas’ 60s classic has been covered by a lot of other bands and singers, most famously by the Beach Boys. Jose Feliciano’s minimal version is another beautiful cover and there’s even one by our own Usha Uthup. Australian singer Sia’s cover version is a mighty interesting addition to the list, given how it maintains the song’s moody feel, but with a sweeping piano-led sound and layering a more youthful drum and beat for broader appeal to the film’s young TG. But it’s Sia’s mesmerising vocals that completely hold your attention.
Aavaaram Poovukkum
Kaaval (Tamil)
Music: G. V. Prakash Kumar
There was a period in Tamil cinema when a ‘Tribal’ song was a mandatory item. It usually was added as a situation to denote that the lead pair is now ready to go beyond love and into the risque territory of sex. And the tribals dancing in front of them were left to express their (not their own, but the lead pair’s) basic instinct and it used to end with a censor-friendly bonfire flickering to death. Kaaval’s ‘Aavaaram Poovukkum’ is a pleasant surprise because it seems to bring back the tribal song phenomenon all over again. It’s ‘Aasaya Kaathula’ (Johnny) ambition is quite apparent, but Prakash’s tune is endearing, as is Megha’s singing.
Delilah
Album: How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
Florence + the Machine
Florence Welch’s stunning vocals have always been the highlight of the band’s music and it comes out powerfully in ‘Delilah’, from their third studio album, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. The song moves seamlessly from its gospel base to a catchy two-step swing sound all the while with Florence firmly on top of the sweeping call-and-response-style tune. It’s easily addictive — Florence’s falsetto may get firmly stuck in your memory.
