Music Review (Hindi): 99 Songs

Music Review (Hindi): 99 Songs
Music Composer: Rahman

99 Songs is an upcoming Hindi language musical romance film directed by Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy and Co-written and produced by Rahman. The soundtrack is composed by Rahman himself and it is one of the albums which was in the pipeline for many years. Rahman easily wins in the soundtrack with 14 tracks loaded with a rich variety of enjoyable tunes.

Shashwat Singh appears to be the lead singer of 99 songs featuring in 6 songs and Rahman gives him some of the best songs in the soundtrack. O Aashiqa and Sofia surely will feature in the top songs of the soundtrack. In O Aashiqa, Rahman has woven the melody beautifully using the key chanting phrase Oh Jiya Toh Oh Jiya. Shashwat Singh is in stellar form and the track reaches crescendo around 3 minutes mark with the chorus pitching in along with the lead singer's high pitched rendition. Rahman segues Sai Shirdi song in the middle of the song. Rahman uses the Sai Shirdi Sai song which he released for the new year last year and the serene tune is delivered exceptionally by Bela Shende. Though the tune is not effectual as a standalone, Rahman adorns the track with the effectual arrangements led by Sai Saravanam's Tabla and Kareem Kamalakkar's flute. Bela Shende outscores herself with the effective lullaby O Mera Chand and the tune though relatively treads along the familiar territory, the serene feel provided by the tune is a blissful one. Rahman blends Sai Sai chorus with this track also and the lovely flute in the arrangements will definitely calm the listener's mind.

Sofia is a lush melody which starts in a gentle manner backed by Keba Jeremiah's wonderful guitar strums. The gentle flute strains and the breezy melody paves way for the kick-ass vocal harmonies by Arjun Chandy towards the end giving the terrific finish to this beautiful song. Nayi Nayi is the fast-paced song in the album but the track is more generic pop song material single-handedly prodded by Shashwat singh. The arrangements are strictly confined to the hard rock genre with the brief lovely Tabla cameo in the middle of the track. Another fast-paced track is Veere Kadh de with the uncanny Maaro Maaro vibes with the percussions in the prelude. Though the rap by thoughtsfornow didn't work as expected, the track is an interesting attempt by the composer despite the multiple elements of the track didn't blend well as expected.

Shashaa Tirupati enters the show with the two tracks Humnawaa and Soja Soja. The former is the lovely melody and the terrific arrangements by Rahman outscore the main melody especially the lovely interplay between Shashaa Tirupati's humming and the piano. The track definitely warrants multiple listen especially for the brilliance displayed by Rahman with the background piano score. Armaan Malik delivers the melody part adequately well. Shashaa Tirupati's riotous singing in Soja Soja is definitely the highlight of this fun track and she sounds like Rekha Baradwaj especially with the phrase Raat Hogayi. Rahman once again wins over with the jazzy arrangements with the terrific mix of piano and the brass ensemble. Rahman peppered the song with the glass opening sounds and Shashaa Tirupati effectually shifts the tone between whispery vocals and thunderous blast aided by the wonderful brass sounds.

Contrary to popular opinion, Jwalamukhi is one of the weak songs of the album despite featuring Arijit Singh in the lead vocals, the tune is pretty much standard material with nothing excites much and Arijit's vocals falls flat. The track's female version crooned by Poorvi Koutish fares better especially because of the punchy rendition in contrast with Arijit's sombre rendition. Rahman props up the background too with the electronic synth soundscape. Teri Nazaar is the lovely throwback from Rahman's early days especially sounds more like Gowarikar's collaboration. Though the track has nothing extraordinary to offer, the tune is highly enjoyable for its nostalgic factor and Shashwat Singh's rendition. The album's other highlight is the delightful classical track Gori Godh Bari and without any doubt, the three leading singers Alka yagnik, Anuradha Sriram and Shweta Mohan behind the mic are the star of this lovely tune. Rahman adorns the tune with the rich classical sounds of Sarod, Sitar and Tabla. Going by the title Voice without words, one thought that may be instrumental but the whispery words of Poorva Koutish are packed with the hypnotic arrangements. But Rahman ends the whopping 14 song soundtrack with The Oracle which starts with the gentle piano keys before Kareem Kamalakkar's flute gives company to the lovely piano setup by the Rahman himself.

Verdict: 99 songs is Rahman's thoroughly immersive diverse soundtrack in Bollywood after a long time. The whopping 14 song soundtrack is a nostalgic blend of good old Rahman melodies as well as composer leaves his own touch backed by an exceptional set of singers.

My Rating: 9/10

Pick of the Album: Sofia, O Aashiqa, Gori Godh Bari, Soja Soja, Humnawa

Music Review (Tamil): Master

Music Review (Tamil): Master
Music Composer: Anirudh Ravichander

Anirudh extends his Marana Mass/Chumma Kizhi structured song and tries to milk its success with the gibberish lyrics threw in by Gana Balachander in Vaathi coming. The hook bit is definitely catchy and easy dance portion but overall it turns out to be a pedestrian listen mainly because of its overused tone especially in the past two albums of Anirudh. Andha Kanna Paathakka is in lines of Tharam Maara single in terms of tune but Anirudh did exceptional work with an intriguing synth sounds in the arrangements supported by Keba Jeremiah's guitar. Though Vignesh Shivn's lyrics pointed at heroine/ generally female gaze on the protagonist, Anirudh roped in Yuvan Shankar Raja and he delivers adequately. The tune is tailor-made for Anirudh's vocals going by the composer's earlier works.


Kutti story is easily best of the album with its colloquial lyrics by Arun Raja Kamaraj and Vijay delivering it big time with his casual tone which perfectly suits with the on-screen persona of Vijay. Anirudh kept the tune simple with the catchy rhythm beats and the Tanglish lyrics reminds us of the Anirudh's viral Kolaveri. Quit Pannuda is a refreshing composition from the composer. The song starts off with a trance-like sound indicating the intoxicated state and turns into a lovely sax solo before plunges into an energetic soft rock towards the second half. The minor quibble with respect to Anirudh vocals aside, the track is a winner definitely. Polakkattum Para Para starts with Vijay Sethupathi's dialogue and veers into the rustic folk song in the vocals of Santosh Narayanan and the singer easily sails off the tune with occasional thunderous laughs. Anirudh spruces up the arrangements with the consistent use of folk percussions and the tune may blend well with the visuals. Arivu and Anirudh are in stunning form with Vaathi Raid and the lyrics by Arivu is lit especially the timely usage of Vaathi 'Raid'. The astounding energy with which Arivu delivered deserves special mention and the track definitely matches the vibes Neruppu da created during its release. Arivu's rap forms the backbone of this heady and an exhilarating song. Master album features the two short tracks beat of Master and Pona Pogattum. Both the tracks are strictly situational while the former instrumental track dominated by percussions scores over the Vinith's emotional track Pona Pogattum.

Verdict: Anirudh easily delivered his best among his recent outings for the mass films with the vibrant soundtrack led by Vaathi Raid. Though the fact that predominant tracks in the album are sung by the composers itself and also no female singers is a bit of dampener, Anirudh ensures that the album is a joyous ride with the highly engaging set of tracks.

My Rating: 8/10

Pick of the Album: Vaathi Raid, Kutti Story, Quit Pannuda

P.S You can listen to the songs on Youtube

Weekly Earworm - Week 12

Weekly Earworm - Week 12 

Plan Panni Pannanum (Tamil): Yuvan Shankar Raja: Kanave Urave: The Deja Vu factor aside, Yuvan Shankar Raja's Kanave Urave rides on Shreya Goshal's vocals. Yuvan kept the arrangements neat and simple by giving Babu's strings dominant space and the gentle rhythm structure to complement Shreya's rendition.

Love Story (Telugu): Pawan Ch: Ay Pilla: Ay Pilla is a quintessential Sekhar Kammula song where the director brings out Mickey J Meyer's musical sensibilities throughout the song. Nevertheless, the tune by Pawan is lovely with lovely string arrangements in the background and Haricharan behind the mic pulls off the singing part impeccably.

Master (Tamil): Anirudh Ravichander: Vaathi Coming: Anirudh milking his Chuma Kizhi and Marana Mass structure for Vijay's Vaathi coming also with the gibberish lyrics. But despite the catchy bit, the song turns out to be tiresome listen and the visuals may work well with the song.

Uppena (Telugu): Devi Sri Prasad: Dhak Dhak Dhak: DeviSri Prasad digresses from his usual template sounds when Sukumar involves in the project and Dhak Dhak belongs to the category. Though the concept reminds us of the Prashant Pillai's wonderful Ayalathe in Angamaly diaries, DSP's Dhak Dhak has its own charm with the lovely violin solo towards the end.

VakeelSaab (Telugu): Thaman: Maguva Maguva: After Samajavaragamana, Thaman tries to repeat the success of the song with the similarly structured song and roping in Sid Sriram to sing. Though, the tune falls flat compares to Samajavaragamana, Thaman makes up for it with the lovely arrangements in the background.

V (Telugu): Amit Trivedi: Vasthunna Vachesthunna, Manasu Maree: Amit Trivedi's solo Telugu album after the multilingual Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy and going by the two songs released, Amit Trivedi did a spectacular job especially the lovely Vasthunna Vachesthunna. Though Amit Trivedi's singing is a minor grouse in both the songs, the tunes make up for it. Vasthunna Vachesthunna phrase is definitely explosive one and Shreya Goshal aces the rendition. Manasu Maree features the lovely Saxophone and the tune is quintessential Amit Trivedi's territory while Shashaa Tripati did a wonderful work with her rendition as always.

Pick of the Week: Vasthunna Vachesthunna, Ay Pilla, Manasu Maree