Matargashti is free-spirited and whimsical. It starts sounding European, but eventually enters a retro Hindi sound, forcing one to smile and throw hands up in the air. The instrumental, Parade...
Continue reading...A R Rahman
O Kadhal Kanmani (Music review), Tamil – A R Rahman
Kaara aattakkaara‘s promising start devolves into droning nama nama nei. Aye Sinamika is pleasant, but sounds like a now-out-of-vogue boy band’s last-ditch attempt. Mental manadhil (both versions) is jubilantly uptempo...
Continue reading...Lingaa (Music review), Tamil – A R Rahman
On nanba is a stunning album opener! Rahman goes full on Middle Eastern, loads on the dance elements to the already zingy tune mildly reminiscent of the iconic Greek-Egyptian Misirlou....
Continue reading...Raunaq (Music review), Indipop – A R Rahman
It’s heartening to see Rahman approach Raunaq not as an experimental non-film album, but as a regular film soundtrack, at least going by the tunes. It is also ironic that...
Continue reading...I (Music review), Tamil – A R Rahman
Mersalaayitten seems tailor-made for Anirudh’s digitally-enhanced vocals; even sounds techno-enough like his own music, barring that very-Rahman’ish violin interlude. Ennodu nee‘s reprise works better than the original’s soul gospel choir...
Continue reading...Kaaviyathalaivan (Music review), Tamil – A R Rahman
Vaanga makka serves as a spirited introduction to the film’s theater troupe backdrop and is fabulously sung by Haricharan and Dr.Narayanan. Aye Mr.Minor‘s retro orchestration is as significant as its...
Continue reading...The Hundred-Foot Journey (Music review) – A R Rahman
Ghatam and strings… and then a single violin peeks in to give the ghatam some South Indian company in Hassan Learns French Cooking. It all ends in a mellow flute...
Continue reading...Lekar Hum Deewana Dil (Music review), Hindi – A R Rahman
Khalifa‘s steady, thrumming techno sound is instantly likeable, as is the simple, hook’y tune. Rahman’s singing, despite the digital additions, is apt for the overall feel, while the disparate rap-style...
Continue reading...Million Dollar Arm (Music review), A R Rahman
Rang De Basanti’s left-over Makhna and let-us-obviously-fuse-Punjabi-and-rap Million Dollar Dream are intermittently engaging, thanks to the vocalists – Sukhwinder and Iggy Azalea, respectively. KT Tunstall and Rahman’s We Could Be...
Continue reading...Kochadaiiyaan (Music review), Tamil – A R Rahman
Engae pogudho’s soaring Hollywood-style composition is disjoint and at best background’ish. Its other version, Rana’s Dream, by London Sessions Orchestra showcases the tune’s rich tapestry better. Medhuvaagathaan is a throwback...
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