Music Review: Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thora

Music Review: Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thora
Music Composer: Vishal Chandrasekar

Ek Gau Mein aims solely to get the upper hand with familiar dialogues trope and STR name in the credit list, However, the song barely works despite the tune is tailor-made for STR's vocals. The techno sounds also fail to hold the listeners while M M Manasi ably supports the tune and the second interlude being the only listenable element in this passable opening number of the album.Vishal Chandrasekhar ropes in Gangai Amaran to croon the interesting number Kattaduraiku and the interludes, as well as other assorted sounds, are quirky enough which holds the listener's attention till the end. The casual lyrics fits the bill perfectly for the mood of the song and the lovely use of Kazoos and other synthesized sounds deserve special mention.

Hai En Kai Mela is a passable melody with the tinge of rock transition towards the end after the monotonous tiring rhythm and the melody is backed by the talented Shakthishree while Anirudh Ravichander tries hard to score in comparison. The only respite being the lovely violin cues infused intermittently.Govinda Govinda starts off like Harris Jayaraj styled kuthu song but turned out to be very tired and tedious tune combined with the pedestrian lyrics makes this one easily weakest track in the album. GV Prakash's vocals being the only silver lining in this passable kuthu song. The title song is a relatively interesting song in the album and that is strictly in comparison with the other songs in the album. Arunraja Kamaraj sounds similar to Kabali's Neruppu da and Premji reciting the iconic dialogue reiterates the hangover of Kabali.

Verdict: Vishal Chandrasekhar's Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thora has hardly any engrossing tracks and the songs lack the punch.

My Rating: 6/10

Pick of the Album: Kattaduraiku, Hai En Kai Mela

Music Review (Tamil): Magalir Mattum

Music Review (Tamil): Magalir Mattum

Music Composer: Ghibran

Padmalatha sounds astoundingly different in Ghandhari yaaro and the high pitch portions didn't gel much with her vocals, however Ghibran's tune and Thamarai's lovely optimistic lyrics makes this one worthy listen. Anurag Kulkarni is relegated to the brief Sufi style Sargams while composer infuses the engaging Hindi portions intermittently. Adi Vaadi is an another high energy song brimmed with positivism and the rock layer for the contrasting Gold Devaraj's vocals comes off as a highly engrossing sound of the album. Uma Devi's lyrics is filled with empowering lyrics and the title hook is infectiously catchy one.Gubu Gubu's song has a staid tune and the lyricist Vivek penned the lyrics in tandem with the theme of the movie while Karthi did an adequate job behind the mic, however, the tune could have been much exciting one. Though the song fails to entice with the tune, Ghibran makes up with the splendid usage of Balaji's violin throughout the track.

Bullet song is an adaptation of the well renowned Dama Dam mast kalandar and titled as bullet song. The arrangements override the lyrics while Yazin Nizar and Chennai Qawwali kids did a splendid job behind the mic and the song sounds more situational than as a standalone track.Ghibran comes back with an infectious although short Karu Karunnu and the energy infused in the rhythm of the song yearns the listener for a long duration. The folk touches in the tune and splendid arrangements highlighted by Bhalesh's Shehnai is ably supported by Bhanupriya and Gold Devaraj's vocals.Carrot Pottazhagan follows the Karu Karunnuu's template and the result is once again highly engaging one mainly because of Ghibran's orchestration and Bramma's lyrics leaves you with the smile on the listener's face. Namitha, Oorvasi and Gold Devaraj's aces the highly likable tune.Saranya Ponvannan ends the highly engaging series of two-minute short tracks with the Time Passukkosaram and this track sounds highly enjoyable with the infusion of typewriting sounds and the haunting Charanam portions crooned stupendously by Padmalatha. Ghibran delivers the perfect engaging two minutes theme track for the film and the theme is a melange of brilliant flute solos by Kamalakkar and the engrossing theme track ends with the enjoyable Sofia chamber Orchestra and Balesh's Shehnai which reminds us the yesteryear tune.

Verdict: Ghibran continues to churn out radically different and impressive songs in each of his album. Magalir Mattum is filled with highly optimistic songs infused with energy throughout the soundtrack.

My Rating: 8/10

Pick of the Album: Adi Vaadi Thimira, Time Passukkosaram, Magalir Mattum theme

Music Review (Tamil): Vanamagan

Music Review (Tamil): Vanamagan
Music Composer: Harris Jayaraj

Damn Damn is an engrossing composition from Harris Jayaraj and the tune flows freely traversing through different rhythms while Harris manages to keep the listener's hooked with listenable backgrounds. Sherin Shahana's gruff singing sounds apt for the casual lyrics of Madhan Karky. Yemma Yea Alagamma is the tune which Harris tried and tested umpteen number of times while Bombay Jayashree continues to sing the composer's tweaked tunes impeccably. Haricharan ably supports her with his brief portions and the orchestration is passable one with a brief respite in the form of violin solo in the second interlude.

Silu Silu's droning tune is backed by the earnest vocals of Vijay Yesudas and the arrangements by the composer are pedestrian one devoid of any exceptional highlights. The only engaging factor being the flute solos thrown intermittently throughout the track and the orchestration are monotonous which makes this track least interesting one.Morada Morada's tune and the rhythms remind the listeners the innumerable number of composer's earlier compositions especially Aadhavan and at last Harris infuses his penchant for the gibberish verses in the second half of the soundtrack. Krish and Benny Dayal sounds apt for this typical Harris Jayaraj tune.Pachai Uduthiya Kaadu is an absolute winner from the soundtrack and the simple guitar laden track filled with occasional flute sections is a delight to listen. Abhay Jodhpurkar and Harini ably delivers the pleasant tune and Madhan Karky's beautiful lyrics accentuates the enchanting tune. Harini's velvety voice deserves lot more songs compared to the number of songs she is getting these days.Harris Jayaraj weaves his gibberish sounds for the apt movie and delivers it as theme track, however, an undeniable winner in the theme track is Flute Kamalakhar's work in this two and half minute track.

Verdict: Harris Jayaraj's 50th album is indisputably best album from the composer in recent times, however recycling of his earlier compositions being the usual grouse from the composer.

My Rating:7.5/10 

Pick of the Album: Pachai Uduthiya Kaadu, Yemma Yea Alagamma, Damn Damn

Music Review(Hindi): Meri Pyaari Bindu

Music Review(Hindi):  Meri Pyaari Bindu
Music Composer: Sachin- Jigar

Parineeti Chopra forayed into the singing and actress's sincere rendition of Maane Ke Hum Nahin makes this one enjoyable, backed by the pleasant melody. The lovely highlight being the sarangi in the second interlude in an otherwise passable harmless listen. The soft rock in Haareya is carried effortlessly by Arijit and occasionally bordering on the title song of Ae dil Hai Mushkil.  Yeh Jawaani Teri is an absolutely boisterous rock and roll number adorned by the lively vocals of Nakash Aziz and Jonita Gandhi.Sachin Jigar comes up with another enticing composition in Iss Tarah with ample support from the brass sounds while Clinton Cerejo and Dominique Cerejo steals the show with their splendid vocals. Monali Thakur ends the soundtrack with her whispery vocals in Khol De Baahein reciting the Bengali and Hindi lyrics effectually.

Verdict: Sachin Jigar delivers an enjoyable soundtrack which is devoid of any musical highs but thoroughly engaging soundtrack and Ayushman Khuranna's movies has consistently good music.

My Rating:7.5/10

Pick of the Album: Iss Tarah, Yeh Jawaani Teri, Khol De Baahein

Music Review (Tamil): Maayavan

Music Review (Tamil): Maayavan
Music Composer: Ghibran

Mella Mella has the strains of Adhe Kangal especially in Shwetha Subram's vocals, however Ghibran spruces up with the layered orchestration dominated by keys and synth programming while Balaji's killer violin solo in the second interlude is the killer highlight in the song. Shwetha Subram and Abhishek accompanied by vocal harmonies ably handled the lovely melody Maya Masthava is a highly irritating techno kuthu where Marana Gaana Viji's autotuned vocals irk a lot even though the tune is passable one from the composer.The only exciting element in the 3 minutes song is the tune in the second half and sparsely interesting sounds occasionally.

Ghibran returns back in a splendid form with Bodhai Poo where the impressive arrangements highlighted by violin solos again and exciting mix of sounds throughout the sound. Ghibran spruced up the haunting soundscape with the thumping percussions in the second interlude while Sharanya Gopinath impresses with her highly styled rendition. Ghibran scores easily with the background score of the album and the 13 instrumental pieces offer the unique soundscape required for the thriller. The exceptional sounds in the Maya's touch, wonderful strings sections in the wrath of Maya with aptly placed pauses, Subhani's guitar strums in decoding the mystery and adrenaline pumping flush and rush are the picks of the lot.

Verdict: Ghibran's magnificent OST pieces trump the vocal tracks and the composer offers perfect soundscape required for the thriller. 

My Rating: 7.5/10

Pick of the Album: Mella Mella, Bodhai Poo

Music Review (Tamil): Neruppu da

Music Review (Tamil): Neruppu da
Music Composer: Sean Roldan

Rokesh's passable lyrics aside, Andha Madhiri Ponna  is a pleasant listen mainly because of the splendid arrangements of Martin's Percussions and Chennai string's string section while KJ Vijay teases us with the soothing flute solos in the interludes. Ravi G's casual singing sounds apt for the Rokesh's lyrics.Aalangiliye is a lovely throwback to Rahman's heydays and Sean Roldan created the splendid track while the composer himself and Swetha Mohan nail the beautiful tune with the pitch-perfect rendition. The pleasant folk arrangements especially flute and tabla base accompanied by intermittent violin solos are a delight to listen and Swetha Mohan able to croon some of her best songs with Sean Roldan.

In Karuppu Kallangolu, Sean Roldan continues his Power Paandi mode, However Balasubramaniam's Nadhaswaram is an amiable detour from the composer. Rokesh's lyrics sounds convincing in Anirudh Ravichander's vocals and the transition from the high octane kuthu to quite a melody in the middle being the only lovable element in this passable song. Enga Pona is an affecting melancholy while Sean chooses the arrangements in tandem with the tune to accentuate the mood of the song. Sean Roldan once again aces in the vocals side also with his unique voice.Raghavasimhan's strings are the major highlight in this arresting melancholy. Sean Roldan ends an impressive album with the splendid energetic theme delivered ably by Blaaze while Jai Gopi's buoyant trumpet steals the show amidst the hardcore Ramkumar's drums and Sean Roldan's screeching guitar strums.

Verdict: Sean Roldan continues to deliver engaging soundtrack with aplomb consistency and there seems to be no stopping for Sean Roldan. Another fine soundtrack within a month.

My Rating: 8/10

Pick of the Album: Aalangiliye, Andha Madhiri Ponna, Enga Pona

P.S You can listen to the songs in Saavn. 

Music Review (Malayalam): Sakhavu

Music Review (Malayalam): Sakhavu
Music Composer: Prashant Pillai

Madhumathiye is a melange of retro, semi-classical tinge and techno beats in the background while the real stunner piece is the classical strings in the second interlude transitioned into mappilai paatu styled second half. Sreekumar Vakkiyil and Preethi Pillai's gorgeous vocals make this one an engaging piece of work till it lasts. Lokam Ennum sounds anthemic tandem to the movie genre, but Prashant Pillai's background work with the string make this one worthy listen although the tune stays true to the template of songs of this genre. Vaikom Vijayalakshmi's idiosyncratic vocals fit the bill perfectly for Udichuyarnne retro stage drama kind of song and the brilliant usage of harmonium is the highlight. Theyyum Thindaka is an another upbeat song and the soundscape is strictly situational and anthemic one which may gels well with the visuals but not as a standalone song. Prashant Pillai always teases the listeners by delivering the best song in the soundtrack with the shortest duration Do Naina in Angamaly Diaries and Aarariro in Sakhavu. The song's show stopper is undeniably Preethi Pillai and her resonating vocals makes this one an enjoyable one.

Verdict: Though not as exquisite as Prashant Pillai's previous soundtracks a couple of songs are enjoyable.

My Rating: 7/10

Pick Of the Album: Aarariro, Madhumathiye

Music Review (Hindi): Begum Jaan

Music Review (Hindi): Begum Jaan
Music Composer: Anu Malik

Prem Mein Tohre starts with serene sound and Asha Bhosle's vocals transcend the listener to the tranquil world accompanied by splendid usage of resonating santoor strains which makes the listener yearn for the sounds for some more time. Apart from the splendid usage of Shehnai, Aazaadiyaan comes off as a tedious listen while even veteran Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Sonu Nigam also unable to make this one interesting piece and moreover the song is six and half minutes long. O Re Kahoro's brooding flute piece and Kalpana Patowary's effectual rendition makes this one worthy listen, however as a standalone song, the track has a very passable tune. Anu Malik loosens up the soundscape with the celebratory piece Holi Khelein where Shreya Goshal's superlative vocals being the only element to celebrate. The soundtrack's best Prem Mein Tohre returns with its reprise versions where Kavitha Seth accentuates the divine beauty of the song with her earnest rendition.

Verdict: Average soundtrack from Anu Malik where the lackluster tunes are infused with life by the superlative singers. Really miss the Moh Moh Ke Daage level track from the composer.

My Rating:7/10

Pick of the Album: Prem Mein Tohre, O Re Kahoro