Unlike the movies which found a good variety and going in right direction.. Music I felt went down the hill year after year, mainly because there was overdose of unwanted remixes of classic songs, almost 90% of them were trash and the trend of Rap in every song was another headache to deal with. Tanishk Bagchi is the main culprit and I won't be surprised if he ends up spoiling atleast 50 more songs in next decade. Remixes that did work for me were 'Khoya Khoya Chand' bartender version by Mikey McCleary and 'Hawa Hawai' by Prashant Pillai both wonderfully re-created, sung by talented Suman Sridhar.

The multi-composer strategy also became a norm and it produced varied results, albums like 'GullyBoy, Ek Villain, Kabir Singh, David, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy and Delhi Belly' to name some of the best ones. 

Coming to the top composers whose albums atleast during start of decade would be highly anticipated, how did they fare! Was sort of a mix year for AR Rahman, there were some disappointing albums which you don't usually associate with him, but then he made up for it with some amazing compositions. It was Imtiaz ali with whom he paired to give firstly the terrific, 'Rockstar' which ofcourse was the album of the decade, following up with 'Highway' and 'Tamasha' which had some lovely tracks to listen to. Other notable albums were 'Raavan', 'Jhootha Hi Sahi', 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' and 'Mom'

The decade however belonged to Pritam Chakraborty and Amit Trivedi, both having their hands full of numerous good albums. Pritam gave 'Cocktail', 'Barfi', 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani', 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', 'Jagga Jasoos', 'Jab Harry Met Sejal' and 'Dangal' while Amit Trivedi had gems like 'No One Killed Jessica', 'Lootera', 'Queen', 'Bombay Velvet', 'Fitoor', and 'Manmarziyaan'. I would just slightly call it Pritam's decade because some of Amit's albums work better with film than as a complete audio.

Totally loved Vishal Bharadwaj's tracks in 'Haider' and '7 Khoon Maaf', but apart from them there wasn't much to enjoy as per my taste. Sanjay Leela Bhansali also failed to deliver single great album, he composed for 'Guzaarish' and 'Ram Leela' entirely, while co-composed for 'Bajirao Mastani' and 'Padmaavat', each album had 1-2 good songs at best. Shankar-Ehsan-Loy were a disappointment too, 'Raazi', 'D-Day' and 'Mirzya' were the only standout albums that I loved.

Vishal Shekhar gave excellent 'Anjaana Anjaani' in 2010, but it was 'Shanghai' in 2012 that was their best of the decade (one of very under-rated albums), rest of their albums were pretty average with exception of 'Hasee Toh Phasee' and 'War'. Salim-Suleiman started with a bang giving 'Band Baaja Baraat' in 2010, unfortunately thats their only highlight of the decade.

Sachin-Jigar duo were easily the new composers that made a mark in 2010 with 'Saibo' and 'Karma is a bitch' tracks in 'Shor in the City', then the fun 'Khoon Choos Le' of 'Go Goa Gone' or angst 'Bezubaan' from 'Anybody Can Dance'. 'Badlapur' however was their complete album of the decade, each song turning out to be too good. Other notable albums were 'Meri Pyaari Bindu', 'A Gentleman' and 'Hindi Medium'. Ajay-Atul also had a good time with 'Singham' and 'Agneepath', but my favourite was 'Zero' and to some extent 'Dhadak' too. 

Other highlights of the decade was Sneha Khanwalkar with some super creative tracks in 'Gangs of Wasseypur' (almost made my top10). Ram Sampath was very much on same line when it comes to innovative tracks in 'Delhi Belly', also some enjoyable tracks in 'Talaash' and 'Fukrey'. However, the less said about 'Raees' the better it would be. And Clinton Cerejo compositions in 'Te3n were really good, another of under-rated album of the decade.

It's a straightforward call for the no.1 spot, but took a lot of time to decide the next 9 albums. Despite been a low last few years in terms of great music, there's been enough unforgettable music albums that have come in this last decade. Surely, would have loved more competition, hopefully the next decade list is lot more tougher to make.

Here's my favourite 10 albums with their Music Directors and Lyricists :

1. Rockstar (2011)
Music Director : AR Rahman 
Lyricist : Irshad Kamil 


The magic of Rahman-Irshad in these 11 songs (additional bonus of 3 background themes) is still alive well and truely, even after having drained off listening to them non-stop in last 9 years. Mohit Chauhan the perfect choice for being voice of Jordan (Ranbir Kapoor) sang different genre songs from romantic 'Tum ho', to folk 'Haawa Haawa', angst 'Saadda Haq/Naadaan Parindey', religious 'Kun Faaya Kun', to songs where Jordan is on self-search 'Jo Bhi Main/Phir Se Udh Chala' and the fun track 'Sheher Mein'. There's lovely Kavita Krishnamurthy rendition of 'Tum Ko' and Harshdeep Kaur's 'Katiya Karun' which is the only track that I liked less from others. Rahman hasn't given another gem of album since Rockstar, maybe it would never come. Special mention to how hauntingly beautiful 'The Dichotomy of Fame' instrumental is. 
My Favs : Saadda Haq, Aur Ho and Jo Bhi Main


2. Badlapur (2015)
Music Director : Sachin-Jigar 
Lyricist : Dinesh Vijan and Priya Saraiya


Sachin-Jigar had been giving some gem songs in past, but Badlapur was first time when the album clicked fully for me. From the excellent 'Judaai' track, an unusual pairing of Rekha Bharadwaj and Arijit Singh nailing one of very well composed emotional track, to the angst 'Jee Karda' with Divya Kumar's vocals, the very romantic with a sadness feel all over in 'Jeena Jeena' beautifully sung by Atif Aslam in low pitch (why doesn't he sing such songs more). Also, liked the seductive tone in  'Sone ka paani' and the beats of 'Badla badla'.
My Favs : Judaai and Jeena Jeena


3. No One Killed Jessica (2010)
Music Director : Amit Trivedi 
Lyricist : Amitabh Bhattacharya


Amit Trivedi blew me away in Dev.D, and No One Killed Jessica was his next great work. A slightly under-rated album I feel, with only the catchy track 'Dilli' sung by Aditi Singh Sharma getting its due. Vishal Dadlani vocals in another great angst track 'Aitbaar' and my personal favourite, Shilpa Rao in 'Yeh Pal' a song about feeling frustrated about life, Meenal Jain and co in a beautiful track 'Dua' and then a vast variety of singers from Anushka Manchanda, Neha Kakkar, Aditi Singh Sharma, Tochi Raina etc in a fun party song 'Aali Re'. 
My Favs : Aitbaar and Dua


4.  Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016)
Music Director : Pritam Chakraborty 
Lyricist : Amitabh Bhattacharya


And enters Pritam Chakraborty with one of best romantic album of the decade. From Arijit Singh's title track on the pain of one-sided love, to the fun dance track on 'BreakUp', and 'Cutiepie' another enjoyable dance track. Shilpa Rao's seductive rendition of classic track 'Aaj jaane ki zidd na karo' for a change redone well unlike the poor remixes we usually get. Yet another album with a angst song that works, 'Bulleya' though I prefer Amit Mishra version. Only 'Alizeh' and 'Channa Mereya' (favourite of majority I believe), didn't click for me. 
My Favs : Ae Dil Hai Mushkil title and Bulleya


5. Fitoor (2016)
Music Director : Amit Trivedi
Lyricist : Swanand Kirkire


Another Amit Trivedi album, and another pure romantic album that I loved, its a pity the film was bad and also its another album that didn't get that much love as it should had. 'Pashmina' beautifully sung by Amit Trivedi promoted more as seductive track but is actually about falling in love for first time, 'Haminastu' by Zeb Bangash is a haunting take on Kashmir with some great lyrics by Swanand Kirkire, 'Tere Liye' by Jubin Nautiyal and Sunidhi Chauhan with a romantic duet that I madly love. English version of 'Ranga Re' by Caralisa Monteiro is another great track, very romantic with a seductive touch. 'Hone do Batiyan' doesn't work for me, and also the title track by Arijit despite been good was slightly underwhelming for not having more antara lines in there. 
My Favs : Tere Liye, Pashmina and Ranga Re (English)


6. Gullyboy (2019)
Music Director : Dub Sharma, Divine, Naezy, Spitfire, Sex On The Beat, Rishi Rich, Major C, Ankur Tewari, Karsh Kale, Ace, Ishq Bector 
Lyricist : Javed Akhtar, Noxious D, Maharya, MC Tod Fod, MC Altaf, 100 RBH, Ankur Tewari, Gaurav Raina, Karsh Kale, Tapan Raj, Dub Sharma, Spitfire, Divine, Naezy, Kaam Bhari, Ace


If you were tired of un-necessary raps by likes of Honey Singh, Badshah etc in almost every song, then this album came as a respite with 18 original tracks. A film about Mumbai's street rap style and every composer comes up with a song to impress. There's the socio-political talk going through Dub Sharma's songs like 'Azadi' which uses the famous JNU protest lines 'hum leke rahenge azadi' and 'Jingostan' that says '2018 hai, desh ko khatra hai'.  'Asli hip hop' track almost feels like a dig at how poor the raps have been in this decade. 'Doori' talks about the upper-lower class living society, well sung by Ranveer and composed by Rishi Rich, the poem version is pretty good too.  'Ek Hee Raasta' tells about the dreams of people which they compromised for a different life. The best rap tracks are easily 'Sher Aaya Sher' filmed on MC Sher, full of swag and composed/sung by Divine, and the very famous catchy 'Apna Time Aayega' composed by Dub Sharma and Divine, Ranveer letting it all out in this highly motivational track. Ranveer is also super in 'Kab se kab tak'. Also, Kaam Bhaari's 'Kaam Bhaari' and Ace's 'Har Gham Mein Khushi Hai' are enjoyable rap songs. 'India 91' rap song is given a classical touch. There's few non-rap songs that work too, like 'Goriye' which is restyled, 'Train song' which is about triumph, 'Jahaan tu chala' with Jasleen Royals typical style vocals and Ankur Tewari's 'Jeene mein aaye mazza'. Meri Gully Mein is only track where I felt Ranveer voice didn't do the song justice. Special mention to the 'Rap competition' in the movie where they go one on one ripping each other's personal life apart through rap songs, never knew a such thing existed.
My Favs : Apna Time Aayega, Azadi and Sher Aaya Sher


7. Ek Villain (2014)
Music Director : Mithoon, Ankit Tiwari, DJ Shadow, Rabbi Ahmed, Adnan Dhool 
Lyricist : Manoj Muntashir, Mithoon, Rabbi Ahmed, Adnan Dhool 


Some may find songs of this album cliched/routine, I have no problems in admitting that the melodies and sad tracks wooed me over very easily. Over the years, Shraddha's version of 'Teri Galliyan' has grown on me a lot with Ankit Tiwari's final stanza working much better in here than his solo version, Mohammad Irfan's 'Banjaara' is a lovely melody track and there's the Soch Band (Rabbi and Adnan) with 'Awari' track that talks about loss and interpretation of how world looks at call-girl. Mustafa Zahid's 'Zaroorat' is good but lacks that wow feeling like his songs in 'Awarapan' movie. 'Hamdard' was the only track that I didn't enjoy.
My Favs : Teri Galliyan (Shraddha version), Banjaara, Awari


8. Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017)
Music Director : Pritam Chakraborty
Lyricists : Irshad Kamil 


Pritam Chakraborty and Imtiaz Ali combo gave another album to remember, not an instant love though as many songs took time to grow. 'Jee Ve Sohneya' was however a track that I fell in love with first instance, Nooran Sisters are simply fantastic in this soulful track that kinda of reminds of the famous 'Chitthi Aayi Hai' track from 'Naam' movie. Love the lines 'jabse gaanv se main shehar hua, itna kadva ho gaya ki zeher hua' in 'Safar' which has the usual Imtiaz template, very well sung by Arijit Singh. 'Ghar' and 'Parinda' (tochi version) are the hidden gems of the album. 'Phurr' (film version) is the guilty pleasure song, with vocals of Mohit Chauhan, I like the romantic tone played out in this fun dance track EDM style. Then there's Diljit's sweet punjabi track 'Raula' thats more fun with the visuals. 'Hawayein' for some unknown reasons never clicked for me despite sounding as a good romantic track. Both 'Radha' and 'Beech Beech Mein' got great ideas but fail for me in execution, the latter track has grown up in last few years though. 'Yaadon Mein' and 'Butterfly' works only in some parts.
My Favs : Jee Ve Sohneya, Phurr and Parinda
 

9. Kabir Singh (2019)
Music Director : Mithoon, Amaal Malik, Vishal Mishra, Sachet-Parampara, Akhil Sachdeva
Lyricist : Mithoon, Irshad Kamil, Manoj Muntashir, Kumaar


Another romantic album makes my list, the film may had been under controversy and I too didn't like the film (not for same reasons) but the album is full of great tracks. 'Bekhayali' (Sachet Tandon version) is ofcourse the anthem track now, full of angst against the society with more focus on the undying love despite breakup. Jubin Nautiyal's version of 'Tujhe Kitna Chahein Aur' is another track that gets me emotional everytime I hear. Vishal Mishra's 'Kaise Hua' a song about how a person became so important, and Akhil Sachdeva-Tulsi Kumar's 'Tera ban jayunga' that is about a guy going to any extent for love, both songs work really well. 'Yeh Aaina' song got beautiful lyrics, if only singer wasn't Shreya Ghoshal. Armaan Malik makes 'Pehla Pyar' likeable. 'Mere Sohneya' was the weakest track of album.  
My Favs : Bekhayali (Sachet version), Tujhe Kitna Chahein Aur (Jubin version)


10. Bombay Velvet (2015)
Music Director : Amit Trivedi
Lyricist : Amitabh Bhattacharya


Very much like Rockstar, here its Neeti Mohan with 6 tracks as voice of Rosie (Anushka Sharma). She combines with Mohit Chauhan in a very lovable romantic duet 'Behroopia'. While 'Naak Pe Gussa' and 'Sylvia' are fun tracks, she gives all the feels in 'Dhadaam Dhadaam' a heartbreaking track. But its 'Ka Kha Gha' where Neeti totally excels, love the last stanza way she sings 'KA KHA GHA' in high pitch. Shefali Alvares also gets 3 tracks, and I enjoyed her in two of them, 'Shutup' that has jazz background or 'Mohabbat Buri Bimari' where her vocals makes the song standout in comparison to other two versions of Neeti and Shalmali. There's remix of 'Jaata kahan hai' with ever reliable vocals of Suman Sridhar giving it her own fresh touch. 'Aam Hindustani' and 'Darbaan' didn't work for me. Special Bonus in 3 background themes, 'Tommy Gun' is likeable, but the main title theme is spectacular and been in my playlist ever since. 
My Favs : Ka Kha Gha, Behroopia and Jaata kahaan hai


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