Jithu jilladi, sung by Deva, ends up sounding like Deva’s gaana too, with a formulaic hook and street-smart word-play by Rokesh, while Dub theri step builds on its opening pretty...
Continue reading...Hitman – March 19, 2016
Originally published in . Chillu ranthal – Kali (Malayalam – Gopi Sundar) Job Kurian seems perfect for the wonderfully calming tune of Chillu ranthal that sounds like a fantastic lounge’y...
Continue reading...Vetrivel (Music review), Tamil – D.Imman
In Adiye unna, Imman delivers a Ilayaraja-style melody with grand strings that almost overpower the tune! Lovely listen, though, in Sathya Prakash and Vandana’s vocals. Onnappola’s lilt is charming and...
Continue reading...Ishq Anokha (Music review), Indipop – Kailasa
The title song shines with spiffy orchestration, and truly takes flight as Kailash starts with, ‘Le tu nadiya magmaati’. O Jogi is a great listen, with its spritely, jazz-tinged sound,...
Continue reading...Godhi Banna Sadharna Mykattu (Music review), Kannada – Charan Raj
Siddhanth—sounding like Raghu Dixit—handles Naa e sanjege magnificiently. Charan’s Kannada Jazz fusion combines Ustad Hafiz Bale Khan’s sitar, Shailesh Shenoy’s tabla, and Raman Iyer-arranged wind instruments effortlessly! The female version...
Continue reading...Jessie (Music review), Kannada – Anoop Seelin
Malgudiya ooralli‘s tune has a genial charm, accentuated by the upbeat orchestration that Anoop adds to the song. He sings it with an innate simplicity that helps the tune too!...
Continue reading...Hitman – March 12, 2016
Originally published in The Hindu. Kar gayi chull – Kapoor & Sons (Hindi – Amaal Mallik and Badshah) There’s a new trend in Bollywood – reuse hit pop songs as...
Continue reading...Bhadram Be Careful Brotheru (Music review), Telugu – J.B
Corny title… yes, but the title song is a catchy rap mix with an addictive hook. Rahul Sipligunj and Ramya Behara lift the already foot-tapping folk’ish earworm that is Rayya...
Continue reading...Akira (Music review), Kannada – Ajaneesh Loknath
Hudugaru yella starts off like the poor-man’s Gatiya ilidu, but morphs into pulsating masala, with a catchy ‘Beda beda swamy’ kuthu part! Kanna sanneyindalene sounds like a more melodic mix...
Continue reading...Cute Kameena (Music review), Hindi – Krsna
Barring Payal Dev’s grating way of singing, Twinkle twinkle is a mighty fun track, with the real hero being Puneet Sharma’s lyrics (‘baaki saare launde water vapour lagte hain‘, ‘tere...
Continue reading...

