Weekly Earworm - Week 13 (06/07/2020)

After a long time continuing the music column in the blog. I couldn't post it because got stuck in the village area with very less network connectivity and also very fewer music releases nowadays. But since the independent music by many composers and movies getting released directly in OTT results in the new music frequently. It's definitely good news albeit with fewer disappointments because Ghibran and Amit Trivedi's recent independent singles fare tad lower than their prolific movie scores/albums.

AR Rahman's Thumbi Thullal and M Jayachandran's beautiful poetic melodies for Sufiyum Sujatayum soar high this week along with Arivu's effective Hashtag Justice.

Cobra (Tamil): A R Rahman: Thumbi Thullalo: The celebratory wedding song starts with the myriad classical sounds with Asad Khan's Sitar paves way for the percussion sounds. The complex tune easily trumps the arrangements and Shreya Goshal aces the tune effortlessly and her vocals added more beauty to the tune with the improvisations when the lyrics flow as Thaniye or Thumbi Thullalo bit. Vivek's lyrics fall flat compared to the beautiful tune Rahman envisages while Nakul Abhyankar ably supports Shreya.

Sufiyum Sujatayum (Malayalam): M Jayachandran: Vathikkalu Vellaripravu: Jayachandran churn out a mind-bogglingly beautiful tune accompanied by a lovely assortment of exotic sounds. Nithya Mammen aces the tune and the second interlude played with Duduk is an absolute stunner. The Sufi tune undeniably adds another dimension to the overall soundscape. Sudeep Palanad composes Alhamdullilah and the lovely chant-like melody is peppered with once again middle Eastern arrangements which work to the song's favour.

Hashtag Justice (Tamil): Arivu: Arivu is one of the independent singers whose songs reflect the social injustice happening around us and questions them effectually with his lyrics. The mix of rap and hip-hop ensures that the song reverberates along with the youth listeners. Hashtag justice is also one of the song which talks about police brutality.

Ghibran Spiritual Series: Muthai Tharu, Om Namachivaya Om: Among the 4 singles released by Ghibran on the Spiritual series, Om Namachivaya Om and Muthai Tharu stand out. Ghibran is phenomenal with the Budapest Orchestra and though it can easily serve as a separate standalone track, punchy singing of the Muthai Tharu's tune by Ananthu make it a good listen. This track makes me revisit Pradeep Kumar's exemplary work in the Arunagiri Perumale album. In Om Namachivaya Om, the powerful tune rendered by Gold Devaraj and Ghibran is once again spot on with respect to the arrangements.

Bhanumathi and Ramakrishna (Telugu): Shravan Bharadwaj: Love-O Ishq-o Mix, Alavate Ledhemo: Shravan Bharadwaj is one of the few composers in Telugu who consistently delivers minimum guarantee soundtrack and this new OTT release also belongs to the same category. Though nothing extraordinary, cheerful vibe accompanied by lovely guitar solos in Love-O Ishq-O mix and hypnotic mix in Alavate Ledhemo works perfectly. Especially Hemachandra is splendid with respect to the vocals in the former song.

Chowki (Kannada): Shakeel Ahmed: Rangina Mane, Kavithe Kavithe:  Rangina Mane carries the brooding atmosphere throughout the track and the rock flavoured arrangement blends well with the dark theme of the song. Priya Yadav easily aces the tune while Kavithe Kavithe's retro-sounding tune benefits a lot from Rajesh Krishnan's pitch-perfect vocals.

Friendship (Tamil): DM Udhayakumar: Superstar Anthem: The debut song for DM Udhayakumar has everything in the list to garner enough attention. Superstar anthem, Harbhajan Singh debut, Simbu to croon the anthem and Gowtham R's lyrics which is a mishmash of Rajini's iconic dialogues and film persona. Despite the questionable tune, these factors warrant a complete listen and the rock base to clasp the listener till the end.

Weekly Earworms - Week 6 (03/11/2019)

Weekly Earworms - Week 6 (03/11/2019):

Musically lacklustre week. Thanks to M Jayachandran for the splendid Mukkuthi song.

Drive (Hindi): Tanishq Bagchi: Makhna: Tanishq Bagchi conceives an addictive Makhna where Asees Kaur's singing is the song's highlight while the composer brilliantly tweaked the Mast Kalandar vibe for the Pallavi portions. Main choda Aayi Ghar Baart Mera hook is insanely groovy one from the composer which makes this song easy earworm.

Ujda Chaman (Hindi): Gourov-Roshin: Chand Nikla: Chand Nikla is undeniably rides on the well established Punjabi dance track but Divya Kumar's vocals make the difference.  The composer Duo kept the arrangements minimal and ensured that the track is adequately engaging until it lasts. The remaining tracks from the album are total meh.

Raahu (Telugu): Praveen Lakkaraju: Emo Emo: Sid Sriram continues to rule the Telugu music scene and Praveen Lakkaraju's composition for Emo Emo also works comfortably especially with the violin solos in the arrangements stand out. Sid Sriram takes care of the tune with his likeable rendition. 

Mamangam (Malayalam): M Jayachandran: Mukkuthi: M Jayachadran is another composer similar to Bijibal who has the knack to create old world charm in their music. Shreya Goshal's saccharine filled vocal is enough for the listeners to fall in love with this beautiful song.

Pick of the week: Mukkuthi  

Music Review (Malayalam): Aami

Music Review (Malayalam): Aami
Music Composer: M Jayachandran and  Taufiq Qureshi

Neermathalapoo's dulcet melody gains lot from the lead singer's effectual rendition and Shreya Goshal owns the song completely. M Jayachandran throws in wonderful pleasant typical Malayalam soundcape with occassional Bengali folk elements sung by Arnab Dutta. Shreya Goshal's singing takes Pranayamayi Radha to much higher level and the composer throws in beautiful Naveen's flute and spectacular Dilshad Khan's Sarangi. Vijay Yesudas occasionally chips in and gives his fantastic support. This song takes me to another splendid song from the M Jayachandran and Shreay Goshal combo in Pranayam. Shreya Goshal's improvisations are delightful to listen.

Taufiq Qureshi enters the soundtrack with the delectable Ghazal Chand Hoga and the song once again features predominant usage of Sarangi and the lovely second interlude is a bliss to listen. Javed Ali's earnest singing makes this one an enjoyable one till it lasts. In Aadhi Raath, Taufiq employs some brilliant folk sounds especially the minimmal percussions sounds works like charm but sadly the same cannot be said about Roop's singing. However the backgrounds are adequately enjoyable despite the song is around seven minutes long. Javed Ali returns to the soundtrack with another fine Ghazal Umar Salon Sein and the ace singers leads like a pro with ultimate splendid support from the Sarangi.

Verdict: M Jayachandran and Taufiq Qureshi delivers pleasant and heavy soundtrack for the Kamala Surayya's biography.

My Rating: 8/10

Pick of the album: Pranayamayi Radha, Neermathalapoo, Chand Hoga

P.S You can listen to the songs in Saavn

Music Review (Malayalam): Pullikkaran Staraa

Music Review (Malayalam): Pullikkaran Staraa
Music Composer: M Jayachandran

Mathalathan Malaralle is an ear-pleasing melody with the tinge of waltz sounds flows consistently along with the mellifluous tune. The interludes are done in neatly with Vijay Yesudas takes care of the vocal department in an effectual manner. Tap Tap engages mostly due to the catchy hook base and exuberant singing by Sreya Kutty while the background stays in the heard before feel zone. Though the techno sounds are mixed, the tune sounds too dated. M Jayachandran strikes the chord once again with Vijay Yesudas in Kavalan Painkili, the pleasant tune aside, the lovely usage of accordion and the lovely chorus stays with the listeners even after the song ends. The soundtrack's stellar song is Kilivathilin Chare Nee, where everything blends together beautifully from the Anne Amie's endearing vocals to the soothing tune. Composer ups the ante with the blissful violin solos amidst the minimal backgrounds.

Verdict: M Jayachandran continues to enchant the listeners with his timeless melodies and Kilivathilin Chare Nee is the absolute winner from the soundtrack.

My Rating: 8/10

Pick of the Album: Kilivathilin Chare Nee, Kavalan Painkili, Mathalathan Malaralle

P.S You can listen to the songs in Saavn

Music Review (Malayalam): Ennu Ninte Moideen

Music Review (Malayalam): Ennu Ninte Moideen
Music Composer: M Jayachandran, Ramesh Narayan, Gopi Sundar

Kannodu Chollanu is pleasant ear-warming folksy melody against the backdrops of wonderful sounds created by M Jayachandran. More awesomeness comes in the form of lovely vocals of Shreya Goshal and Vijay Yesudas. Particularly loved the string sections and water drop sounds throughout the track. M Jayachandran gives another soulful melody in the form of Kaathirinnu for Shreya Goshal and she aces the rendition as usual. Loved the clarinet touch although terse one in the first and second interlude. Composer itself comes behind the mic to deliver another enjoyable folksy laid back melody Iruvanji Puzhapenne. Loved the way composer employed mellifluous flute sections throughout the song along with other ambient sounds. Composer Ramesh Narayan brings the two veterans Sujatha and K J Yesudas to render another soothing melody Ee Mazhathan in the backdrops of atmospheric rain in the orchestration. Ramesh Narayan goes into the minimal unplugged mode in Priyamullavane, but the effect it leaves after listening is stupendous especially due to Madhushree Narayan's earnest rendition. Shardambaram fits the bill perfectly for the movie set in 1960's and Sithara brings the retro feel with her vocals effectually while the song's another version didn't work much better as Sithara's version. Gopi Sundar brings back Ustad hotel feel in Mukkathe Penne nevertheless the song is still arresting listen in the vocals of Mohammed Maqbool Mansoor.

Verdict: M Jayachandran and Ramesh Narayan delivers highly enjoyable melody oriented songs in Ennu Ninte Moideen.

My rating:8.5/10

Pick of the Album: Kannodu Chollanu, Mukkathe Penne, Priyamullavane, Kaathirinnu

You can listen to the soundtrack here.