It was a year dominated mainly by Amit Trivedi and Pritam. With 'Fitoor', Amit Trivedi once again exceled in pure romantic genre just like he did last time with 'Lootera', hope Imtiaz Ali works with him someday. Also, 'Dear Zindagi' and 'Udta Punjab' had trademark Amit Trivedi stamp over them with some memorable tracks. Pritam striked gold in later half of the year with 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' and 'Dangal', such contrasting music they both had. Some of his songs in 'Dishoom' were catchy too. Who cares if he copies, I dont.
Shankar Ehsan Loy may not have lived upto the expectations for Rock On2 (frankly I found songs good enough to hear, just in comparison to 1st part it looks weak), but with 'Mirzya' they showed why they are still worth having expectations from.
While 'Befikre' didn't make my top10, with 'Akira' and 'Banjo' having mostly mediocre songs.. it was 'Sultan' where Vishal-Shekhar were impressive giving good variety of songs.
Both Sachin-Jigar duo and Sohail Sen had a not-so good year as their respective albums 'A Flying Jatt' and 'Happy Bhag Jayegi' had nothing much to like about.
AR Rahman seemed to be back in form with 'Tamasha' last to last year, but 'Mohenjodaro' failed to impress me at all. The wait for next awesome album from Rahman since 'Rockstar' continues.
Amaal Malik continued to rise, with not just his singing but his work as composer in 'Kapoor & Sons' , 'Azhar' and 'MSD The Untold Story' was very good. Maybe, in 2017 he would give that perfect album and make it to top3.
Other Notable Mentions would be Clinton Cerejo for his super music in 'Te3n', and likeable tracks in 'Kahaani2' also. There's Jasleen Royal whose songs in 'Baar Baar Dekho', 'Dear Zindagi' and 'Shivaay' were pretty good, only worry though is that she doesn't get repetitive as 'Kho gaye hum kahan (Baar baar dekho)' and 'Raatein (Shivaay)' had similar style of composing. And lastly, Ram Sampath for his music in 'Raman Raghav2', qatl e aam song had me on repeat mode for weeks.
'Shivaay', 'Befikre' and 'Raman Raghav2' just miss out... Here's my list, the order is based on the albums that have more songs I like to listen on repeat mode.
Shankar Ehsan Loy may not have lived upto the expectations for Rock On2 (frankly I found songs good enough to hear, just in comparison to 1st part it looks weak), but with 'Mirzya' they showed why they are still worth having expectations from.
While 'Befikre' didn't make my top10, with 'Akira' and 'Banjo' having mostly mediocre songs.. it was 'Sultan' where Vishal-Shekhar were impressive giving good variety of songs.
Both Sachin-Jigar duo and Sohail Sen had a not-so good year as their respective albums 'A Flying Jatt' and 'Happy Bhag Jayegi' had nothing much to like about.
AR Rahman seemed to be back in form with 'Tamasha' last to last year, but 'Mohenjodaro' failed to impress me at all. The wait for next awesome album from Rahman since 'Rockstar' continues.
Amaal Malik continued to rise, with not just his singing but his work as composer in 'Kapoor & Sons' , 'Azhar' and 'MSD The Untold Story' was very good. Maybe, in 2017 he would give that perfect album and make it to top3.
Other Notable Mentions would be Clinton Cerejo for his super music in 'Te3n', and likeable tracks in 'Kahaani2' also. There's Jasleen Royal whose songs in 'Baar Baar Dekho', 'Dear Zindagi' and 'Shivaay' were pretty good, only worry though is that she doesn't get repetitive as 'Kho gaye hum kahan (Baar baar dekho)' and 'Raatein (Shivaay)' had similar style of composing. And lastly, Ram Sampath for his music in 'Raman Raghav2', qatl e aam song had me on repeat mode for weeks.
'Shivaay', 'Befikre' and 'Raman Raghav2' just miss out... Here's my list, the order is based on the albums that have more songs I like to listen on repeat mode.
TOP 10 HINDI ALBUMS
1. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
When it comes to romantic genre, Pritam in past has given many great songs/albums who are as appealing today as it was then. 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' is easily among Pritam's top5 albums ever, and you knew it happening the day title song got released which is the best track from album sung by Arijit Singh describing the pain of one-sided love so well. Amitabh Bhattacharya who is the lyricist has combined well with Pritam as you feel the songs working completely, both the music and lyrics. 'Channa Mereya' of Arijit, I may not love, like most people do, but still find it a good track, specially the unplugged and reprise version in the movie. I didn't like 'Bulleya' initially but listening repeatedly, it grew on me and is not far away from title track now, Amit Mishra rendition has given it a nice pain-angst feel and could easily be referred as lighter romantic version of 'Saadda Haq'. Both 'Breakup song' and 'Cutiepie' are catchy dance tracks, I specially love Cutiepie tune and ofcourse the way it ends in the movie. 'Alizeh' is the only weak song in album, and the english part at end doesn't help, it still is a good song but in comparison to rest songs it fails. Special mention to the songs included in deluxe album, Shilpa Rao's 'Aaj jaane ki zidd' is super seductive track, one of rare occasions of old classic song re-done perfectly. Reprise version of 'Bulleya' sung by Arijit doesn't appeal to me one bit. Special mention to the old classics of Mohammad Rafi used in the film, my fav being 'an evening in paris' with Arijit vocals.
Favs - Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Bulleya (amit version), Cutiepie
2. Fitoor
Its surprising how a failed bad movie means the music must be forgotten and not praised even if it was awesome. That's how I felt when Fitoor was hardly in any awards nominations list. Even random people I see talk more about 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' or 'Udta Punjab' than 'Fitoor'. To be frank, Fitoor was very close to been no.1 in my list. Amit Trivedi after 'Lootera' gives another gem of album in the pure romantic genre, he should do this genre a lot more often . Title track 'yeh fitoor mera' by Arijit is very good and addictive, only complaint was it didn't have more antara stanzas which in movie is present but not in the audio album. 'Pashmina' is a beautiful song which Amit Trivedi sang himself, it was promoted through seductive dance moves in the video but in movie you could feel it lot more as the lyrics match-up with how the love is growing slowly. 'Haminastu' sung by Zeb Bangash is easily among best songs filmed on Kashmir, the music is really haunting and so are the lyrics, kudos to Swanand Kirkire. My song of the album however is 'Tere liye' sung fantastically by Jubin Nautiyal and Sunidhi Chauhan, its great to listen Sunidhi in romantic tracks something she doesn't do often, but its Jubin who owns the song, a soft romantic track that's hard to not love. Although Sunidhi has sung the hindi version of 'Ranga Re' very well, its the English version by Caralisa Monteiro that I love a lot more, deeply romantic and seductive in a way. I am fond of Nandini Srikar songs (dua, bhare naina, harjaiyaan etc) but 'Hone do Batiyan' was my least liked song in the album.
Favs - Tere liye, Pashmina, Ranga re (english)
3. Dangal
To see Pritam excel in this kind of album, really surprised me and its the same composer-lyricist combo i.e Pritam-Amitabh Bhattacharya at their best yet again. 'Haanikaarak bapu' sung by young Sarwar Khan is a hilarious father-daughter take that works as well without visuals too. 'Dhaakad' aamir version is way better than the raftaar one, and no wonder makers of movie realized it too by having it in movie. Jonita Gandhi is soon reaching the league of Shilpa Rao kind of singers if she hasn't yet, i.e those female singers who you love to listen for their different voice and not typical like Shreya etc. Jonita's 'Gilehriyaan' tells how the habits of a person is changing whether to good or bad, and great reference is made with gilehri. 'Dangal' title track is one of best tracks of year, highly motivating and Daler Mehndi is perfect choice for this song. Arijit meanwhile fails to impress in 'Naina', the song works with movie though. Nooran sisters are very likeable yet again in their rendition of the fun track 'Idiot Banna'.
Favs - Dangal, Haanikaarak bapu, Gilehriyaan
4. Te3N
Easily the most under-rated album of last year. Clinton Cerejo does a commendable work as composer making each of the 5 songs worth listening. Also, with Te3n, Amitabh Bhattacharya makes it three entries in top5 as lyricist. 'Kyun re' has two versions, one by Clinton and other by Amitabh Bachchan. Both with same lyrics and arrangements, while Amitabh one works better in relation to the movie story, I prefer Clinton more with the song talking of loss of someone very dear to you (grand-daughter in the movie), a good depressing track. Clinton's rendition of 'Haq hai' is a very motivational track that talks of hope and not giving up with excellent use of chorus. 'Rootha' has Benny Dayal and Divya Kumar who effectively talk about opposite of what 'Haq hai' did, which is feeling lost and tired with everyone. Bianca Gomes has few bengali lines too in the track. 'Grahan' has a rock feel to it, and great choice of Vishal Dadlani who fully nails the song that is combined tale of pain and angst.
Favs - Kyun re (clinton), Haq hai, Grahan
5. MS Dhoni The Untold Story
For music pundits or intellectuals, this would be just a routine average album. I am sure there will be many music lovers like me though who loved this album a lot, specially talking of the die hard romantics. Armaan Malik as composer is at his best in giving a complete good album. Usually seen Armaan sing soft romantic tracks, so was a surprise to listen him in 'Besabriyaan', a track that shows the routine of Dhoni from college to cricket practice, and very well written by Manoj Muntashir. 'Padhoge Likhoge' is a fun take on the everheard phrase of 'padhoge likhoge toh banoge nawaab' that works only with film else forgettable song. 'Parwah Nahin' is a missed opportunity by Armaan, lyrics have that angst and frustration feel and so does the singer Siddharth Basrur rendition but the composition doesn't really take off keeping the same tempo throughout. Its the trio of 'Kaun tujhe', 'Jab Tak' (both versions) and 'Phir kabhi' that is the major usp of this album. 'Phir kabhi' is a take on falling in love/just fallen in love and not caring about anything else feeling with Arijit vocals. While 'Jab tak' basically is a follow up to 'Phir kabhi' about someone who is deeply in love, with Armaan Malik vocals in the kind of song we are used to hear him and undoubtedly he is excellent. I like 'Jab tak' version slightly more than the redux one. 'Kaun tujhe' is the best melody you would had heard last year from a female singer, which is Palak Mucchhal here. Easily the best track from the album. The additional track 'Har gully mein dhoni hai' composed and sung by Rochak Kohli didn't work for me at all.
Favs - Kaun tujhe, Jab tak, Phir kabhi
6. Dear Zindagi
This album is much better than 'English Vinglish' as Gauri Shinde worked with Amit Trivedi again. 'Tu hi hai' and 'Taarefon se', both beautiful soft melodies which I liked more in Ali Zafar's voice in movie, wish they kept it part of original album too. Vishal Dadlani's 'Lets break up' is a good listen too, a fun take on break-up pretty much like Ae dil's 'Breakup song'. Jasleen Royal's rendition to the light-hearted title track 'Love you zindagi' is good but its not kinda of track that I like to listen repeatedly. Its Sunidhi Chauhan who steals the limelight in the album with a terrific track 'Just go to hell dil' where music may remind of some older heart-breaking tracks composed by Amit Trivedi specially 'Lehrein' from Aisha. Its a song very well written by Kausar Munir that keeps shifting from painful heartbreak to angst and to total angst in the end followed with an emotionally touching chorus. Then there's two versions of famous song 'Ae zindagi gale laga le' re-done by Amit. Alia's version just never really works, as the composition comes out more like a remix version. But Arijit version is really good that has a slight rock feel, keeps original lyrics intact and makes sure the essence of the loved classic song stays.
Favs - Just go to hell dil, Ae zindagi gale laga le (arijit), Taarefon se
7. Sultan
Always good when Vishal-Shekhar come up with a quality album like they do here with Sultan. Consisting of 7 original tracks and 2 different versions, there's a lot of variety both in terms of genre and singers here. Inspirational title track 'Sultan' is very well sung by the reliable Sukhwinder and Shadab supports well. But unlike Dangal, this song works better with visuals. There is a smaller version of this song called 'Rise of Sultan' sung by Shekhar which gives a vibe of someone trying to motivate himself back and again is brilliantly used in film. Best song comes in form of 'Jag Ghoomeya', which has 2 versions too, one by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and other by Neha Bhasin. Though I love both, I am slightly more inclined towards Neha version as it feels more fresh with her voice, an excellent romantic track. Mika's '440 volt' also much like the title track, is appealing only with the movie, otherwise quite ordinary track. Papon's 'Bulleya' is likeable for the Irshad Kamil lyrics more than the composition which I didn't really love. 'Baby ko bass pasand hai' is easily my guilty pleasure song of last year, it has that salman special stamp all over it which most of his movies usually have, but Vishal-Shekhar makes it quite a fun filled track with rendition by Vishal and Sharmali and added rap by as usual Badshah. 'Tuk Tuk' I personally love a lot, at times more than Jag Ghoomeya, as Nooran Sisters are amazing yet again, the english part is slightly off-track but luckily its only for some secs.'Sachi Muchi' is a nice light-hearted track by Mohit Chauhan and Harshdeep Kaur.
Favs - Tuk Tuk, Jag ghoomeya (neha), Baby ko bass pasand hai
8. Baar Baar Dekho
Its one of those rare albums, where I like each song, but none of them is worthy of calling gem. With 5 composers used for the six songs in album, often it results in just one or two that are good enough, luckily not the case here. Baadshah's recreated version of 'Kaala Chashma' is very catchy and despite his rap (which more often than not ruins songs) and new lines inserted for Neha Kakkar's part, the song works alright. 'Teri Khair Mangdi' is a good romantic song, specially love the line 'ik teri khair mangdi, main mangaan na kuch aur', wish it would had been more than just a good song though. Arko's 'Dariya' has very nice lyrics, but vocals kinda of spoiled the song for me. 'Sau Aasmaan' works mostly for Neeti Mohan's vocals, with lyrics and Armaan rendition not making much effect. Jasleen Kaur Royal both composed tracks 'Nachde ne Saare' and 'Kho gaye hum kahan' are lovely tracks, specially the latter that I like a lot. 'Aloo bade karare' is very well used in Nachde track, and also like the fun filled lyrics, a good punjabi flavour dance song. 'Kho gaye hum kahan' is composed in a very simple way with fewer musical arrangments, with soft vocals of both singers Jasleen and mainly Prateek Kuhad who is very likeable in this song.
Favs - Teri khair mangdi, Kho gaye hum kahan, Kaala chashma
9. Udta Punjab
And Amit Trivedi makes his 3rd entry with Udta Punjab. The kind of movie where you expect Amit Trivedi come up with interesting compositions, and so he does but partially. There are 2 versions of 'Ikk Kudi', while Shahid Mallya definately sings it much better, I prefer Diljit Dosanjh who brings a lot more feeling to it instead. Babu Haabi sets up perfect mood with his rap for 'Chitta Ve' with Shahid Mallya and Bhanu Pratap taking over the rest song very well. 'Da da dasse' is easily Kanika Kapoor's career best song (not babydoll or the hugely over-rated chittiyaan kalaiyaan) and Babu Haabi rap is once again so efficient here. Maybe something for Badshah to learn, how a rap can actually work for a song rather than spoil it. Shahid Mallya's 'Hass Nachle' didn't appeal to me, while Amit Trivedi's rendition to 'Vadiya' has a very heard before feeling to it. What disappointed me most however was the title track 'Udta punjab' as the catch line 'andar da kutta ajj kadiye' in the trailer raised expectations of a terrific song, but the song turns out to be very mediocre.
Favs - Da da dasse, Chitta ve, Ikk kudi (diljit)
10. Mirzya
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra films have always had great music, be it Aks, Rang De Basanti, Delhi6 or Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Mirzya doesn't quite fall in that league, mainly for the fact that the songs here are folk based including some classical tracks. And I am not really fond of this genre, yet the album has some songs that were simply too good to ignore. Comprising of 15 songs, out which 6 are background scores that are 30 sec pieces sung by Daler Mehndi and serve for a different narration style in film. Title track 'Mirzya' has its moments, sung by Daler Mehndi and various other singers but it fails to be a typical Daler Mehndi special plus found it loud too. 'Ek Nadi Thi' is beautifully sung by Mohan Kannan and Nooran sisters, and lovely lyrics by Gulzar. 'Hota Hai' is a fantastic track about what happens when falls in love with Nooran sisters dominating most of the song, I specially love it post 3 mins mark from Shankar Mahadevan lines 'kabhi kabhi yun bhi hota hai, dost bichad jaate hai' and the final 15 secs music is just too good. And another fav track is 'Teen gawah hai ishq ke', a sweet romantic song very well sung by Siddharth Mahadevan, except for the start of the song I liked this one fully. 'Chakora', 'Aave re hitchki', 'Doli re Doli' and 'Kaaga' were 4 tracks that ain't bad but just not my cuppa of tea. Special mention to the instrumental 'broken arrows', love the use of flute in it.
Favs - Hota hai, Teen gawah hai ishq ke, Ek nadi thi
Favs - Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Bulleya (amit version), Cutiepie
2. Fitoor
Its surprising how a failed bad movie means the music must be forgotten and not praised even if it was awesome. That's how I felt when Fitoor was hardly in any awards nominations list. Even random people I see talk more about 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' or 'Udta Punjab' than 'Fitoor'. To be frank, Fitoor was very close to been no.1 in my list. Amit Trivedi after 'Lootera' gives another gem of album in the pure romantic genre, he should do this genre a lot more often . Title track 'yeh fitoor mera' by Arijit is very good and addictive, only complaint was it didn't have more antara stanzas which in movie is present but not in the audio album. 'Pashmina' is a beautiful song which Amit Trivedi sang himself, it was promoted through seductive dance moves in the video but in movie you could feel it lot more as the lyrics match-up with how the love is growing slowly. 'Haminastu' sung by Zeb Bangash is easily among best songs filmed on Kashmir, the music is really haunting and so are the lyrics, kudos to Swanand Kirkire. My song of the album however is 'Tere liye' sung fantastically by Jubin Nautiyal and Sunidhi Chauhan, its great to listen Sunidhi in romantic tracks something she doesn't do often, but its Jubin who owns the song, a soft romantic track that's hard to not love. Although Sunidhi has sung the hindi version of 'Ranga Re' very well, its the English version by Caralisa Monteiro that I love a lot more, deeply romantic and seductive in a way. I am fond of Nandini Srikar songs (dua, bhare naina, harjaiyaan etc) but 'Hone do Batiyan' was my least liked song in the album.
Favs - Tere liye, Pashmina, Ranga re (english)
3. Dangal
To see Pritam excel in this kind of album, really surprised me and its the same composer-lyricist combo i.e Pritam-Amitabh Bhattacharya at their best yet again. 'Haanikaarak bapu' sung by young Sarwar Khan is a hilarious father-daughter take that works as well without visuals too. 'Dhaakad' aamir version is way better than the raftaar one, and no wonder makers of movie realized it too by having it in movie. Jonita Gandhi is soon reaching the league of Shilpa Rao kind of singers if she hasn't yet, i.e those female singers who you love to listen for their different voice and not typical like Shreya etc. Jonita's 'Gilehriyaan' tells how the habits of a person is changing whether to good or bad, and great reference is made with gilehri. 'Dangal' title track is one of best tracks of year, highly motivating and Daler Mehndi is perfect choice for this song. Arijit meanwhile fails to impress in 'Naina', the song works with movie though. Nooran sisters are very likeable yet again in their rendition of the fun track 'Idiot Banna'.
Favs - Dangal, Haanikaarak bapu, Gilehriyaan
4. Te3N
Easily the most under-rated album of last year. Clinton Cerejo does a commendable work as composer making each of the 5 songs worth listening. Also, with Te3n, Amitabh Bhattacharya makes it three entries in top5 as lyricist. 'Kyun re' has two versions, one by Clinton and other by Amitabh Bachchan. Both with same lyrics and arrangements, while Amitabh one works better in relation to the movie story, I prefer Clinton more with the song talking of loss of someone very dear to you (grand-daughter in the movie), a good depressing track. Clinton's rendition of 'Haq hai' is a very motivational track that talks of hope and not giving up with excellent use of chorus. 'Rootha' has Benny Dayal and Divya Kumar who effectively talk about opposite of what 'Haq hai' did, which is feeling lost and tired with everyone. Bianca Gomes has few bengali lines too in the track. 'Grahan' has a rock feel to it, and great choice of Vishal Dadlani who fully nails the song that is combined tale of pain and angst.
Favs - Kyun re (clinton), Haq hai, Grahan
5. MS Dhoni The Untold Story
For music pundits or intellectuals, this would be just a routine average album. I am sure there will be many music lovers like me though who loved this album a lot, specially talking of the die hard romantics. Armaan Malik as composer is at his best in giving a complete good album. Usually seen Armaan sing soft romantic tracks, so was a surprise to listen him in 'Besabriyaan', a track that shows the routine of Dhoni from college to cricket practice, and very well written by Manoj Muntashir. 'Padhoge Likhoge' is a fun take on the everheard phrase of 'padhoge likhoge toh banoge nawaab' that works only with film else forgettable song. 'Parwah Nahin' is a missed opportunity by Armaan, lyrics have that angst and frustration feel and so does the singer Siddharth Basrur rendition but the composition doesn't really take off keeping the same tempo throughout. Its the trio of 'Kaun tujhe', 'Jab Tak' (both versions) and 'Phir kabhi' that is the major usp of this album. 'Phir kabhi' is a take on falling in love/just fallen in love and not caring about anything else feeling with Arijit vocals. While 'Jab tak' basically is a follow up to 'Phir kabhi' about someone who is deeply in love, with Armaan Malik vocals in the kind of song we are used to hear him and undoubtedly he is excellent. I like 'Jab tak' version slightly more than the redux one. 'Kaun tujhe' is the best melody you would had heard last year from a female singer, which is Palak Mucchhal here. Easily the best track from the album. The additional track 'Har gully mein dhoni hai' composed and sung by Rochak Kohli didn't work for me at all.
Favs - Kaun tujhe, Jab tak, Phir kabhi
6. Dear Zindagi
This album is much better than 'English Vinglish' as Gauri Shinde worked with Amit Trivedi again. 'Tu hi hai' and 'Taarefon se', both beautiful soft melodies which I liked more in Ali Zafar's voice in movie, wish they kept it part of original album too. Vishal Dadlani's 'Lets break up' is a good listen too, a fun take on break-up pretty much like Ae dil's 'Breakup song'. Jasleen Royal's rendition to the light-hearted title track 'Love you zindagi' is good but its not kinda of track that I like to listen repeatedly. Its Sunidhi Chauhan who steals the limelight in the album with a terrific track 'Just go to hell dil' where music may remind of some older heart-breaking tracks composed by Amit Trivedi specially 'Lehrein' from Aisha. Its a song very well written by Kausar Munir that keeps shifting from painful heartbreak to angst and to total angst in the end followed with an emotionally touching chorus. Then there's two versions of famous song 'Ae zindagi gale laga le' re-done by Amit. Alia's version just never really works, as the composition comes out more like a remix version. But Arijit version is really good that has a slight rock feel, keeps original lyrics intact and makes sure the essence of the loved classic song stays.
Favs - Just go to hell dil, Ae zindagi gale laga le (arijit), Taarefon se
7. Sultan
Always good when Vishal-Shekhar come up with a quality album like they do here with Sultan. Consisting of 7 original tracks and 2 different versions, there's a lot of variety both in terms of genre and singers here. Inspirational title track 'Sultan' is very well sung by the reliable Sukhwinder and Shadab supports well. But unlike Dangal, this song works better with visuals. There is a smaller version of this song called 'Rise of Sultan' sung by Shekhar which gives a vibe of someone trying to motivate himself back and again is brilliantly used in film. Best song comes in form of 'Jag Ghoomeya', which has 2 versions too, one by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and other by Neha Bhasin. Though I love both, I am slightly more inclined towards Neha version as it feels more fresh with her voice, an excellent romantic track. Mika's '440 volt' also much like the title track, is appealing only with the movie, otherwise quite ordinary track. Papon's 'Bulleya' is likeable for the Irshad Kamil lyrics more than the composition which I didn't really love. 'Baby ko bass pasand hai' is easily my guilty pleasure song of last year, it has that salman special stamp all over it which most of his movies usually have, but Vishal-Shekhar makes it quite a fun filled track with rendition by Vishal and Sharmali and added rap by as usual Badshah. 'Tuk Tuk' I personally love a lot, at times more than Jag Ghoomeya, as Nooran Sisters are amazing yet again, the english part is slightly off-track but luckily its only for some secs.'Sachi Muchi' is a nice light-hearted track by Mohit Chauhan and Harshdeep Kaur.
Favs - Tuk Tuk, Jag ghoomeya (neha), Baby ko bass pasand hai
8. Baar Baar Dekho
Its one of those rare albums, where I like each song, but none of them is worthy of calling gem. With 5 composers used for the six songs in album, often it results in just one or two that are good enough, luckily not the case here. Baadshah's recreated version of 'Kaala Chashma' is very catchy and despite his rap (which more often than not ruins songs) and new lines inserted for Neha Kakkar's part, the song works alright. 'Teri Khair Mangdi' is a good romantic song, specially love the line 'ik teri khair mangdi, main mangaan na kuch aur', wish it would had been more than just a good song though. Arko's 'Dariya' has very nice lyrics, but vocals kinda of spoiled the song for me. 'Sau Aasmaan' works mostly for Neeti Mohan's vocals, with lyrics and Armaan rendition not making much effect. Jasleen Kaur Royal both composed tracks 'Nachde ne Saare' and 'Kho gaye hum kahan' are lovely tracks, specially the latter that I like a lot. 'Aloo bade karare' is very well used in Nachde track, and also like the fun filled lyrics, a good punjabi flavour dance song. 'Kho gaye hum kahan' is composed in a very simple way with fewer musical arrangments, with soft vocals of both singers Jasleen and mainly Prateek Kuhad who is very likeable in this song.
Favs - Teri khair mangdi, Kho gaye hum kahan, Kaala chashma
9. Udta Punjab
And Amit Trivedi makes his 3rd entry with Udta Punjab. The kind of movie where you expect Amit Trivedi come up with interesting compositions, and so he does but partially. There are 2 versions of 'Ikk Kudi', while Shahid Mallya definately sings it much better, I prefer Diljit Dosanjh who brings a lot more feeling to it instead. Babu Haabi sets up perfect mood with his rap for 'Chitta Ve' with Shahid Mallya and Bhanu Pratap taking over the rest song very well. 'Da da dasse' is easily Kanika Kapoor's career best song (not babydoll or the hugely over-rated chittiyaan kalaiyaan) and Babu Haabi rap is once again so efficient here. Maybe something for Badshah to learn, how a rap can actually work for a song rather than spoil it. Shahid Mallya's 'Hass Nachle' didn't appeal to me, while Amit Trivedi's rendition to 'Vadiya' has a very heard before feeling to it. What disappointed me most however was the title track 'Udta punjab' as the catch line 'andar da kutta ajj kadiye' in the trailer raised expectations of a terrific song, but the song turns out to be very mediocre.
Favs - Da da dasse, Chitta ve, Ikk kudi (diljit)
10. Mirzya
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra films have always had great music, be it Aks, Rang De Basanti, Delhi6 or Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Mirzya doesn't quite fall in that league, mainly for the fact that the songs here are folk based including some classical tracks. And I am not really fond of this genre, yet the album has some songs that were simply too good to ignore. Comprising of 15 songs, out which 6 are background scores that are 30 sec pieces sung by Daler Mehndi and serve for a different narration style in film. Title track 'Mirzya' has its moments, sung by Daler Mehndi and various other singers but it fails to be a typical Daler Mehndi special plus found it loud too. 'Ek Nadi Thi' is beautifully sung by Mohan Kannan and Nooran sisters, and lovely lyrics by Gulzar. 'Hota Hai' is a fantastic track about what happens when falls in love with Nooran sisters dominating most of the song, I specially love it post 3 mins mark from Shankar Mahadevan lines 'kabhi kabhi yun bhi hota hai, dost bichad jaate hai' and the final 15 secs music is just too good. And another fav track is 'Teen gawah hai ishq ke', a sweet romantic song very well sung by Siddharth Mahadevan, except for the start of the song I liked this one fully. 'Chakora', 'Aave re hitchki', 'Doli re Doli' and 'Kaaga' were 4 tracks that ain't bad but just not my cuppa of tea. Special mention to the instrumental 'broken arrows', love the use of flute in it.
Favs - Hota hai, Teen gawah hai ishq ke, Ek nadi thi
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