Nee pona‘s easy, cool tune is a definite plus but the overall package is a bit too lethargic for comfort. Gum zaare‘s package is no different with a cringe-worthy, outdated...
Continue reading...Team 5 (Music review), Malayalam – Gopi Sundar
Sooraj Santhosh’s singing is pretty much the best thing about Azhcha, with Gopi going through the motions of creating a functional song with all familiar sounds. Habeebi, barring the corny...
Continue reading...Kaththi Sandai (Music review), Tamil – Hiphop Tamizha
Naan konjam karuppu thaan has what is now easily associated with Hiphop Tamizha’s sound – punchy percussion, and a catchy tune. The title song is essentially no different, but with...
Continue reading...Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (Music review), Hindi – Pritam
The title song is wonderfully sweeping, with Pritam’s spellbinding orchestration accompanying Arijit’s fantastic vocals. Bulleya‘s sound is instantly ebullient, but not very different from our neighboring country’s bands. Channa mereya...
Continue reading...Tum Bin 2 (Music review), Hindi – Ankit Tiwari
Teri fariyaad is worth just for Jagjit Singh’s voice; strips the corny backgrounds of the original, well handled by Rekha Bhardwaj. Ishq mubarak is T-series’ roster-composers stuff from 2001. Dekh...
Continue reading...Hitman – October 22, 2016
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...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...
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