Milliblog Weeklies – India’s only multilingual, weekly new music playlist. Week 38:
On | On | On
Both Apple Music and Saavn have all 29 songs this week! YouTube is missing quite a few songs – ones that are part of jukeboxes that cannot be added as individual songs in playlists. I wonder when YouTube will reintroduce this feature of marking the start and end point within a jukebox to be added in playlists 🙁
A note on the songs in the playlist.
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Akh Lad Jaave (Loveratri, Hindi): The 2nd song from the film is impressive too – looks like it’s only the film’s title that’s cringe-worthy (so far!). This one belongs to Asees Kaur (ably supported by Jubin Nautiyal), who sensuously breezes through Tanishk Bagchi’s catchy enough tune with her singing.
Sawarne Lage (Mitron, Hindi): Almost sounds like a non-seductive follow-up to Loveratri’s Akh Lad Jaave… same composer 🙂 Jubin Nautiyal… here too!
Dekhte Dekhte (Batti Gul Meter Chalu, Hindi): Rochak Kohli’s version of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s original is pretty competent, given the tune’s inherent appeal. Atif Aslam’s singing is a bonus.
Kundali (Manmarziyaan, Hindi): Very Amit, a bit predictable too, but the energy in the rhythm over the folk’ish tune keeps the tune engaging. The lively singing of Meenal Jain, Yashita Sharma, Yashika Sikka, Rani Kaur, Anita Gandharva, Meghna Mishra and Vaishnavi Mishra, make the song great fun!
Ilamayin Kaatil, Thoovaa Mazhai & Saattaiyin Munaiyil (Om, Tamil): Bharathirajaa’s new film, Om, has 12 songs, featuring 3 composers – N.R.Raghunanthan (9 songs), Yuvan Shankar Raja (only 1 song) and Sharran Surya (2 songs)! That’s a LOT of songs! Raghunanthan’s songs have a same’ness about them that is tiring, but among his many songs, Ilamayin Kaatil, with its sweeping strings arrangement and Sathyaprakash and Vaishali’s vocal interplay works easily. Thoova Mazhai, with its early-Rahman sound and ode to rain, and the singing by Vandana Srinivasan and Sarath Santhosh works too, though the English chorus interlude is awkward. The soundtrack’s winner is Yuvan’s lone track, sung by Priya Hemesh and Sai Shravanam. Yuvan’s imagination is sprawling, starting with a classical jadhi, moving to a steadily rhythmic semi-classical melody.
Kanne Kanmaniye & Yaarum Ellai (Echarikkai, Tamil): Anand Aravindakshan is the soul of Kanne Kanmaniye, a lilting lullaby by composer Sundaramurthy KS. Sundaramurthy scores even better in Yaarum Ellai, with its vibrant tune, sparkling interludes in violin and a particularly lovely anupallavi! Great singing by Sathyaprakash D and Jananie SV.
Sengarattan Paaraiyula (Sandakozhi 2, Tamil): Featuring the beautifully earthy vocals of Ramani Ammal and Senthil Dass, Yuvan goes for a rabble-rousing electronic sound to offer a fantastic contrast.
Kettavano (7UP Madras Gig, Tamil): Debutant Sajith Satya’s tune and sound are quite similar to Anirudh’s (who sings this one effortlessly). Cool EDM package.
Thedi Thedi (60 Vayadu Maaniram, Tamil): Given how phenomenally good the Kannada original’s (Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu) music (Charan Raj) was, it is massively disappointing to hear the middling music by Ilayaraja. Iraivanai Thedi is such a weak track, made weaker by Raja’s own singing that is clearly affected by age. The tune too is standard-issue pathos by Raja, evoking memories of better days of similar songs like Mahanadhi’s Thai Pongalum Vandhadhu. And Monali Thakur sounds particularly bad in Naalum Naalum, even though the anupallavi is vintage Raja and could have been salvaged with some better singing! The only song that works is Thedi Thedi, with Raja’s magical interludes and Benny Dayal holding the song confidently.
Yaaradi Neril Thondrum (Adangathey, Tamil): A largely familiar soundtrack from G.V.Prakash Kumar but for this song, sung by Sathyaprakash D. Splendid strings backdrop, and an almost-Raja’esque anupallavi!
Anthaathi, The Life of Ram, Yean, Vasantha Kaalangal, Thaabangale, Iravingu Theevai & Kaathalae Kaathalae (96, Tamil): This is the best Tamil soundtrack I have heard this year (so far). Full review: http://bit.ly/2LoPrSF
Ee Samayam Naa Hrudayam (24 Kisses, Telugu): Joi Barua suddenly seems everywhere! Yes, he is the composer for this Telugu film/song! Indian Idol fame PVNS Rohit holds the song’s soaring melody together, despite minor faltering at places.
Big Boss Anthem (Nannu Dochukunduvate, Telugu): Ajaneesh gets more of his Kannada music swag into Telugu—the chorus and humming are very in-sync with his Kannada repertoire—and it continues to be good!
Pichi Pichiga Nachaavuraa (@Narthanasala, Telugu): Mahathi’s tune and packaging is very reminiscent of his dad’s music, particularly in the way he builds up the rhythm and the interludes. A chip off the old block alright! Lipsika is superb with her singing.
Egiregire, Pelli Pandhiri & Thanu Vethikina (Shailaja Reddy Alludu, Telugu): I wasn’t impressed with Anu Baby or the Telugufication of Gopi’s own Koyikode song from Goodalochana in Shailaja Reddy Alludu Choode, but the composer picks up pace impressively eventually in the soundtrack! Egiregire is a good addition to his recently impressive tie-up with Sid Sriram, with Lipsika for company too. The mellow melody, the strings backdrop is so very comfortably Gopi. Thanu Vethikina too is a very sweet tune, accentuated by Satya Yamini’s singing. The soundtrack’s winner though is Pelli Pandhiri! The charming track mixes Senthamizh ThenmozhiyaaL, a very-Kerala percussion and Telugu, courtesy Vijay Yesudas beautifully!
Shoulda Met Me First (Closer To Home, Arjun): The melody and sound reminded me a lot of Hiphop Tamizha! The shehnai layer in Paul Whalley’s music is a distinctive element on the catchy tune.
Something In Common (Anushqa): The new single from The Stage finalist Anushqa. Composed by Rishi Rich, Anushqa and Naamless, the song showcases Anushqa’s confident singing in a tune that sounds truly international, with a smattering of Indian, in the repetitive background chorus.
