Music Review (Tamil): Sethupathi

Music Review (Tamil): Sethupathi
Music Composer: Nivas K Prasanna

    Nivas K Prasanna's sophomore album opens up with quite a passionate note Mazhai Thooralam where Na Muthukamar's lyrics pays tribute to the Police officers. The composer croons the song in an effectual manner and arrangements too features gorgeous string sections and brass band like percussion interspersed in a fabulous manner without undermining the melody of the song. Konji Pesida Venaam starts with an intriguing prelude mix of techno sound and Tabla while Sriram Parthasaarathy and ever reliable K S Chitra spruces up the simple melody with their competent rendition. However the song's charanam portions are not alluring as much as pallavi while Nivas hooks the listeners with enjoyable guitar strums and techno rhythm sounds.

    Nivas K Prasanna continues to showcase promise in delivering wonderful tracks in rock genre and in Hey Mama too features remarkable usage of live drums and guitars. The tune meanders towards conventional kuthu towards the second half of the song where Anirudh's vocals suit better than the initial portion of the tune.Hawa Hawa breezy melody works wonderfully mainly because of the lead singer Karthik and Saindhavi's impeccable rendition. The arrangements feature fantastic classical violin solo in the interludes and also towards the end with cool guitar strums which complements the mood of the song very well.Thaen Kootil's highlight is haunting arrangeemnts by Nivas with dark piano notes and string sections. V M Mahalingam's contrasting rustic vocals suits the Na Muthukumar's lyrics very well and he sounds perfect especially in high pitched portions.However the song is strictly situational which may go well with the visuals but not as a standalone track.

Verdict: Nivas K Prasanna's sophomore album is not as exquisite as his debut Thegidi, but still Sethupathi is fine follow-up after Thegidi in terms of arrangements and orchestration  for this young composer.

My Rating: 7.5/10

Pick of the Album:  Hey Mama, Mazhai Thooralam, Konji Pesida Venaam

You can listen to the songs in Saavn.