Originally published in The Hindu. Andha pulla manasa – Adhagappattathu Magajanangalay (Tamil – D.Imman) That mouthful of a title has gorgeous music by Imman, who seems to be channeling his...
Continue reading...Karthik
Kavalai Vendam (Music review), Tamil – Leon James
There is a faint echo of Anirudh’s Neeyum naanum in Nee tholaindhaayo, possibly owing to similar melancholy. The melody has an easy appeal thanks to Sid Sriram’s fantastic singing and...
Continue reading...Kolumittayi (Music review), Malayalam – Sreeraj Sahajan
Sreeraj seems to be exploring Saranga/Hamirkalyani raaga in Minni chinnum that he himself sings confidently. The orchestration has a strong Rahman-touch, particularly Love Birds’ Malargale malargale. Sreya Jayadeep’s sweet voice...
Continue reading...ISM (Music review), Telugu – Anup Rubens
Anup makes a punchy use of Western (popularly known as cowboy music!) music in Kanulu navainaa, while also inserting classic Indian elements like that violin! Jubin Nautiyal and Mohana Bhagaraju...
Continue reading...Hitman – October 15, 2016
Originally published in The Hindu. Chil chinchilamai – Thoppil Joppan (Malayalam – Vidyasagar) It would be massively unfair to refer to Vidyasagar as someone who apes Ilayaraja really well, more...
Continue reading...Yaakkai (Music review), Tamil – Yuvan Shankar Raja
Neee is a superb melody that builds on the EDM sound really well. Yuvan’s singing leaves a LOT to be desired, but he makes up for it in other departments....
Continue reading...Rama Rama Re (Music review), Kannada – Vasuki Vaibhav
News nodi offers a splashy opening to the soundtrack, with a fantastic jazz flavor and seamlessly changing pace mid-way. Vasuki Vaibhav carries the vocals wonderfully. He also competently handles the...
Continue reading...Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings (Music review), Tamil – Yuvan Shankar Raja
Soppana Sundari spins around Goundamani’s iconic Karagattakaran dialog, but the enthusiasm seems rather forced. The remix is a decidedly better, with punchy electronic sounds. The Boys Are Back is all...
Continue reading...Kavi Uddheshichathu (Music review), Malayalam – Jakes Bejoy and Vinu Thomas
Vinu Thomas seems unduly inspired by A R Rahman in Innaleyum – the song could easily fit in En Swasa Katre’s soundtrack; and then there’s that humming evoking Roja’s Chinna...
Continue reading...Aanandam (Music review), Malayalam – Sachin Warrier
Dooreyo has a spunky indi-pop vibe and the 4-men voice mix featuring Vishak Nair, Suchith Suresan, Ashwin Gopakumar and Sachin Warrier handles the on-the-road rock feel well. Sachin takes on...
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