Sooravalida is a standard-issue hero intro song extolling the hero’s virtues; besides Jinesh’s energetic singing, Imman’s nifty touches in the anupallavi’s background work. Othasada rosa faithfully follows Oothacoloru’s template and...
Continue reading...Hitman – April 23, 2016
Originally published in The Hindu. Punnagaye – 24 (Tamil – A R Rahman) Rahman produces a highly listenable and interestingly experimental soundtrack in 24. Punnagaye tops the list, with the...
Continue reading...Azhar (Music review), Hindi – Amaal Malik, Pritam, DJ Chetas, Kalyanji-Anandji
Sonu Nigam and Prakriti Kakkar are surprisingly restrained in Tu hi na jaane; the tune is also too familiar. Jeetne ke liye has KK trying to rouse emotions in a...
Continue reading...Joker (Music review), Tamil – Sean Roldan
Ennanga Sir is a breezy mix of old-style mambo-salsa—with jaunty leaps and superb horns—and biting political commentary. Arandhai Bava and Perumal’s earthy vocals with edgy accents are perfect! Ola ola...
Continue reading...Ishtakamya (Music review), Kannada – Ajaneesh Loknath
Ajaneesh’s over-enthusiastic singing is the only thing pulling down Nee nanagoskara (pretty pronounced in the solo version by Shreya); everything else about the song – Raja’esque melody, choicest orchestration, Shreya’s...
Continue reading...Wagah (Music review), Tamil – D.Imman
In Sollathaan nenaikiraen, Imman employs a commonplace faux-retro sound, but Divya Kumar’s exuberant singing makes up for any ennui. Yedho maayam is trademark Imman—sweeping, likeably familiar melody loaded with Enigma-styled...
Continue reading...Hitman – April 16, 2016
Originally published in The Hindu. Sairat jhala ji – Sairat (Marathi – Ajay-Atul) Close your eyes and listen to this song. A familiar Tamil voice will greet you—that is Chinmayi—but...
Continue reading...Laal Rang (Music review), Hindi – Mathias Duplessy, Vipin Patwa and Shiraz Uppal
Bhaang ragad ke‘s electronic folk brings alive the tune’s almost-bhajan like sound in Vikas Kumar’s perfectly accented vocals. Vipin’s other, Kharch karod has a punchy electronic sound, but less interesting...
Continue reading...Nil Battey Sannata (Music review), Hindi – Rohan & Vinayak
Murabba is poor man’s Amit Trivedi; Bombay Talkies song title, contemplative guitar-led tune… though Neuman Pinto’s singing seems flat. Maula is more Amit, but Nandini Srikar’s accomplished singing holds it...
Continue reading...Iraivi (Music review), Tamil – Santhosh Narayanan
Onnu rendu, with a languorous Chandrababu-twang and perfunctory singing by S.J.Surya, has intoxication written all over it, including that morning-indication ending. Kadhal kappal gets its mojo in its alluring anupallavi...
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