Anthaathi could easily be called a celebration of love. Right from Karthik Netha’s fascinatingly beautiful exploration (“Ithyaadhi Kaadhal” is particularly interesting, literally meaning, “et cetera love”!), to C.Prem Kumar’s poem...
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Laila Majnu (Music review), Hindi – Niladri Kumar, Joi Barua and Alif
Of the four songs by Niladri Kumar, Aahista is a sprawling song that starts slow and peacefully and builds itself up brilliantly. Niladri Kumar adds the music layer by layer,...
Continue reading...Breathless (Music review), Indipop – Shankar Mahadevan
Taufiq Qureshi’s gradual build-up in the percussion really kick-starts Tu paas hai beautifully. Shankar’s handling of Javed Akhtar’s lovely lines, by extending each line without a break is a neat...
Continue reading...Solo (Music review), Malayalam/Tamil – Assorted Composers
World of Shiva Masala Coffee’s interpretation of Aalayal thara venam remains consistently enjoyable, with that lovely Anandhabhairavi-raaga base, Krishnaraj’s scintillating violin, and Sooraj Santhosh and Varun Sunil’s vocals. The reprise...
Continue reading...Jab Harry Met Sejal (Music review), Hindi – Pritam
From Shahid Mallya’s earthy opening to Sunidhi’s punchy hook, Radha comes beautifully alive with even that fantastic EDM line in the middle! In Beech beech mein, Pritam cooks up superb...
Continue reading...Power Paandi (Music review), Tamil – Sean Roldan
It’s perhaps Ananthu’s incredibly affecting vocals. Or, it could be the beautifully layered strings. Or, is it the Celtic-infused prelude that sets the context and carries across the song? Vaanam...
Continue reading...Mirzya (Music review), Hindi – Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Daler Mehndi
The title song is a sprawling effort! Too sprawling, given the medley’ish ways it splinters into. But it is also mighty impressive, pulling in many voices led by Daler Mehndi,...
Continue reading...Sanjay Divecha and Secret (Music review), Indipop – Sanjay Divecha
Ota, the Kannada opener of the album is a lovely song split by marked changes to the sound at the end of each utterance of ‘Saaguve na munde’ by Chandana...
Continue reading...Filament (Music review), Shankar Tucker
Shankar’s clarinet offers an interesting backdrop to Chal chal sakhi, expertly sung by Ankita Joshi, with the tabla and cajon adding a compelling layer. The 4-part Aa re chanda actually...
Continue reading...Bombay Velvet (Music review), Hindi – Amit Trivedi & Mikey McCleary
After 3 minutes of lively ‘circus music’ in Aam Hindustani, Shefali Alvares arrives in smouldering style, mouthing Amitabh Bhattacharya’s amusing Mumbaiya filmy verses, with the brass band offering solid backdrop....
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