The music of Agneepath is supposed to released in 10 days still, but the promotional tracks are out, somehow the thirty second previews were enough to make me write a review, based on promo track, so you can call it a preview as well.

Kamsin kamariya saali ik thumke se lakh maare, note hazaaron ke khulle chhutta karane aayi. Well, Chikni Chameli, featured on Katrina Kaif, is not just interesting with lyrics, its music is attractive and more than everything, Shreya Ghoshal’s singing is surprising. Gonna wait for the song.

Ajay-Atul. Roop Kumar Rathod. A song that says ‘sehme hue sapne mere haule haule angdaiyaan le rahe, thehre hue lamhe mere nayi nayi gehraiyaan le rahe, zindagi ne pehni hai muskaan.’ Seriously, do you need to know more? Again, I am waiting for the album!

Deva Shree Ganesh is one song that is a little regular, probably because of the subject as well. Reminds me of Don’s bappa moriya, and probably not as zealous, but can’t be sure about the latter in a 30 second preview again.

What again beats me is Sonu Nigam’s Abhi mujh mein kahin. Sonu’s singing is getting worth songs after some long break it seems. Recently he sang a nice song in Lanka and now this. Lovely.

Shah ka Rutba sung by Sukhwinder seemed to be Dabangg pattern from the name, but the song has a different flavor and goes more in Azeem o shaan shehenshah in terms of lyrics, and the music is a little qawwali’ish. Not too great from the promo, but definitely a like.

Gun Gun Guna ye gaana re sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and Udit Narayan seems to be a break from Sunidhi’s recent series of (mostly average) item numbers, as the song sounds like a light number. Also, Udit Narayan, who does not feature in the promo track should be something to cheer as he is not generally seen in albums nowadays and lately I have started missing his voice to some extent.

So all in all, Agneepath looks like something that can be bought on the day it gets launched. I don’t think anyone’s going to be disappointed. And yes, Ajay-Atul are definitely here to stay.

For Full Review, Check HERE.

The album starts with Iltija, Rishabh Srivastava’s song from his debut album Iltija. The song on the Bhatt pattern is an okay composition and sung okay too, making an okay though a little unevenly spaced start.

The next song Aap ki Aahat, composed by Toshi-Sharib sounds like the beginning of Bhatt-camp-song again as the beginning seconds remind me of aye kaash, kash yoon hota, but then the young Sabri brothers get into a different mood as they compose a slower tune for Sonu Nigam to sing, with some interesting lyrics as well. Nice one, something that Sonu Nigam sounds nice singing.

Sheet Lahar, composed by Gaurav and sung by Shreya, is a slow, nice composition with simple lyrics. The slow pace of the song may not appeal to all and definitely not one for ‘quick listening’ but if you give it time, lyrics as well Shreya’s singing would appeal to you. Nice job by Gaurav Dagaonkar.

The next song is again by Gaurav Dagaonkar, and is my favorite from the movie. Yup, it’s KK singing, where the irritation claimed by the lyrics can almost be heard in his voice. Barham hain hum is something to listen to, definitely.

Qubool, the next, is a regular Toshi-Sharib song, sung by Toshi, but then the song has an added dose of good lyrics, that too in prayer to god, making the song nicer to listen. Liked.

Sheet Leher comes in a different version, this time sung by Tia Bajpai, and sounds okay.

The last one from the album, Sunidhi Chauhan’s Hai Rama Rama, composed by Toshi-Sharib, doesn’t seem to be any purpose more than being yet another item number in the movie.

Overall, however, the album is good, with Gaurav Dagaonkar giving some good numbers while Toshi-Sharib give more or less their average, which is good, to say the least. Do listen to the album especially for Sonu, Shreya, n KK’s songs.

Jungle ki Hirni hoon is a typical ‘item number’ sung by Sunidhi Chauhan that is nothing too great but can work fine for yet another item song. The next, Murga anda dega, or the title song as you can call it, is again not a great one, but Sanjay Dutt sings this one, and the background arrangements have been added a few extra things that may sound interesting with the kind of lyrics it has. No, the rap wasn’t required.

The last song, Singh Singh Singh is again one sung by Sanjay Dutt himself, along with Wajid, Khurram Iqbal and Asif Ali Beg. But this one fails as well as the song looks more like background of those ’70s movies to me.

Overall, Chatur Singh Two Star is two star for true. Need say more?

The album starts with Mika’s Pyaar do Pyaar lo, that you might have caught on TV. The oldie-newie song sounds more like a remix and looks very much like a try to redo apni to jaise taise from Housefull. I guess Pritam has been successful, but not so much as SEL were with theirs.

The next song, Razia, is sung by Saleem and Ritu Pathak, but Saleem can be confused for a girl with his high pitch here. Allah bachaye meri jaan ki razia gundon mein phans gayi sounds like a typical item song and Ritu sounds pretty good with her singing. Nothing new, just another good product from the Factory.

Pyaar tera pyaar mujhe = Main yahan bhi, main wahan bhi (Toh Baat Pakki). Next beat seems to be taken from Action replay. Even though I liked Neeraj Shridhar and Richa Sharma’s Full volume with it’s never-too-high notes, Pritam looks like he’s out of composition styles and trying to feed old things, though I don’t actually think it’s the case.

When I heard Sonu Nigam’s My Heart is beating, I was wondering why Thank You seems so inspired by Housefull. This one is sung by Sonu very much in Mohammad Rafi’s style, precisely like the ones the legend sang for Shammi Kapoor. With good promotion, song should do well. Liked Sonu’s singing in this one, and not bad work by Pritam as well.

Pyaar Mein is the last original song of the album, which is sung by Neeraj Shridhar and Javed Ali. Again, Pritam looks like captured in his own styles even while he gives a good song. While Javed Ali makes the song his own by singing it beautifully, Neeraj’s ‘chorus’ sounds lovely. But what fascinated me the most in the song was the backing vocals that appeared from the very start of the song. Unfortunately, I don’t know whose voice that is, though I presume it’s either Suzanne or Bianca Gomes as their names are mentioned for backing vocals in the album. Also, this is probably one song of the album which is good not only in music but also with words. Amitabh Bhattacharya is the guy holding the pen here. And another similarity with Housefull. OK. Excuse me for that.

And while I was looking for the backing vocals, one more thing I came to know was that Sachin and Jigar were among the programmers of the album. Nice to know that.

I didn’t try listening to the remixes especially they were all merely ‘remix’es and mentioned nothing more specific than that.

So overall, Thank you is an okay, run of the mill thing in which most of the songs are danceable while one particular song called Pyaar mein is something close to Tum mile’s level, but a bit lower than that, also because it’s so much similar. Quite what was expected from Pritam, or actually slightly better if you think of No Problem.

Beshubaha is again a beautiful song where Antara Mitra proves herself once again and Kunal is good to listen. Pritam seems to be going on the track of Once Upon a Time in Mumbai as I could feel a touch of I’m in love here. Good one again.

Jaadugari again has Kunal singing. He seems to be almost making a comeback after being off for past some time. First Guzaarish and now two songs on the album. Good to hear. As for the song, a soft, romantic song in Kunal’s typical voice, something that will be taking space in your mind slowly.

The next song is Tere Bin, a soft-romantic-super-awesomely-beautiful song sung by Sonu Nigam. OK, maybe I said a bit too much, but one of those lovely romantic tracks that suit Sonu Nigam a lot. Do listen.

Something I almost hate about Pritam is that he gives the same song to N number of people and public keeps comparing. Here Naresh Iyer gets the same song as Sonu and the reprise has hardly a thing different, I mean even the prelude remains there. I think there could be an unplugged version or something there. Just one thing to say, independent of Sonu’s version that is, Naresh Iyer rocks.

Though what surprised me was the new name of Shefali Alvaris who comes up to sing ‘Ye Dil hai Nakhrewala‘ and doesn’t sound like a first timer at all (Is she one? Never heard the name). Well sung cabarette-ish item-ish number. Though I don’t know what is it that Pritam was trying to do with Antara Mitra’s version.

Anyway, the overall score of the album is definitely good with all the songs going at least above average, to lovely. Simply, go for the album.

Somehow, when I read the title Jee na jalayiyo with Sukhwinder’s name, I was hoping that the song would be good. And as soon as Sukhwinder came in to the song, I got a feel that my prediction was going right. The song is quite Indianized in the feel and in its quite down to earth lyrics too, but somehow the drums in the song say something else. A bit confused if I will be liking this mix a lot, though the song doesn’t sound bad. Again, the lyrics of the song are quite good, better than aisa hota tha in first look.

When I heard the song Laal-Laal-Laal hua patta chinaar ka, I suddenly felt the song was too Gulzar-ish and decided to look for the lyricist. And there was my surprise, it was actually Gulzar, a fact I had totally missed. Anyway, the review continues, this song being a bit beat-based and a bit heard type, even though I can’t exactly place where I have heard such music. In fact with this song I could find similarity in the composing styles of Amit Mishra who composed for Atithi tum kab jaoge.

Either way, the song has some awesome lyrics by Gulzar, they remind me of Maachis. And though the music isn’t half as deep as Vishal’s, it has some effect of chappa chappa on the composing style. A good song overall. Especially in case you have an ear for good lyrics.

Sonu Nigam’s tumse kya kehna is a slow, really slow song and for the first few seconds I was thinking if the song was moving at all. But after some time, Sonu’s softness and the slow melody of the song sound quite likeable and the chorus is effective, but short. I can feel Gulzar’s lyrics again though visibly intentional talk of gold makes things a bit not-that-great. Not bad. Not too good either. Not at the start at least.

The only time a female voice is heard in the song is when Sunidhi Chauhan comes up to sing a female version of Jee na jalayiyo. As she sings the song in her style, it sounds quite different from Sukhwinder’s version though both sound equally good.

Overall, Dus Tola is nothing too great, but for those with a taste for good lyrics and slow music, it is worth a listen for sure. Especially I’d recommend Laal-laal, and if you like that, then maybe the entire album.

Anyway, here is a review of his new album, Jhootha hi Sahi.

The album starts with the child’s play called Cry Cry. A song that is going to be a hit simply because of it’s simplicity. Though I didn’t like the lyrics of the song much, the message the song gives is good and Rashid Ali and Shreya’s singing is sweet. Not too good in terms of music, but a likeable thing.

The next song of the album is Maiyya Yashoda, something to be enjoyed. Sung by Javed Ali and Chinmayi, the song sounds quite good, though somehow I didn’t enjoy Chinmayi’s singing so much as I generally do. It may be because of Javed Ali who sounds relatively more fun. Rahman sounds like in his old mood here, and though the song is nothing like Radha kaise na jale, and doesn’t get close to that standard too (especially due to the huge difference in the standard of lyrics), the song somehow reminds me of Lagaan. Anyway, likeable stuff again.

The next song, Hello Hello, is Rahman’s own Karthik calling Karthik. The song that talks of phone and is sung by Karthik, may not sound too impressive initially as all the beeps and ringing might be intriguing, but the melody of the song, even though short, sounds fine. The lyrics are good too and to top it all, Karthik sounds really smooth here. Especially the lines ‘mujhe chhod do, mujhe thaam lo, kho jaane do, mera naam lo, sab theek hai, ho jayega‘ go in a beautiful flow. Doesn’t sound like a very long term thing, but sounds good for now.

The next song Do Nishaniyaan brings us the wonderful combination of Rahman and Sonu again, and in their old avatar this time. A slow, soft, soulful song where you like the lyrics without even hearing them. You only get a jerk when he talks of a ‘phone’ among those dreamy words, but then, it becomes a part of the song soon. Anyway, something wonderful in the album that I know will be liked more every time I hear it. Do listen.

Pam pa ra is definitely not the best song of the album. Oh, you know what I mean. The song sung by Shreya Ghoshal with Suzanne D’Mello is neither as catchy as Lattoo and nor has the attitude of Aye Bachchoo, and still sounds something like them both. Do I need to say more?

The next, I’ve been waiting of Vijay Yesudas, though, is something to cherish again. Quite smooth with the English lyrics, quite good with Hindi, and easily shifting from one language to the other, Vijay makes me love his simple singing in the song. A good, part romantic, part classic, part experimental song from Rahman. Thanks, sir.

The next thing on the album is Maiyya Yashoda (Thames Mix). If I didn’t tell you, the earlier version was called Jamuna Mix. Of course a remix of Jamuna, Thames still sounds fine, and except that the singers’ voices sound a tiny bit too much in the background, the song is all good to ears.

The next on the list is the Heartbreak reprise of Sonu Nigam’s Do Nishaniyaan. This time Rahman and Abbas seem to have decided that the life of this song is lyrics and hence put them right on top. Sonu Nigam sings this one awesomely too and gets us one more small lovable song.

The end of the album comes with the same name it started with. I need not think twice to know that Abbas Tyrewala is a fan of Rashid’s voice and after a lovely Kabhi Kabhi Aditi and a lovable kahin to hogi wo, he starts and ends his new album with Rashid only. In Jhootha hi Sahi, while the first song of the album is the opener of the movie to public, the last one is a pure Rahman piece that is just lovable.

One of the best, or probably ‘the best’ song of the album, Call me dil-Jhootha hi Sahi is the double title song as it takes in both, the earlier title of the movie ‘Call me Dil’ and the final title ‘Jhootha hi Sahi.’ I won’t say much about the song, just listen to it.

Overall, Jhootha hi Sahi is quite good an album from Rahman. The music is good and while I was expecting the lyrics to go really down after cry cry, they aren’t that bad either. The album starts attractively, and ends beautifully. In between you get a wonderful ‘I’ve been waiting’, a soothing ‘Do Nishaniyaan.’ I think I’m satisfied with the album. Are you?

Munni Badnaam hui Darling tere liye is the item number of the album. The most interesting part of the song besides its addictive music is the singing done by Mamta Sharma and Aishwarya. This one is certainly going to rock small town/suburban areas.

Chori Kiya re jiya comes next which is a soft romantic number sung by Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal. The song has a simple but lovable tune and Sonu and Shreya are just perfect. One that may take its own time but will be liked by people and should run for long time.

Hud Hudd Dabang is another feather in the composers’ cap as they clearly create something on the lines of Omkara, but not copying anything from the album. Though the singer for the song is definitely Sukhwinder only. The surprising thing is that the lyrics of the song are pretty good. I’d say the lyricist, Jalees Sherwani has been pretty good with his words because if it were not so, people would probably not compare it to Omkara repeatedly.

Humka Peeni Hai is a pure UP-Bihar song with lyrics having an earthy touch from the local language. A song that would not be counted as an item song though it has all the traits of one except a lead female dancer. Shabab Sabri gives the song a touch of qawwali too. A good listen again.
Good job by Lalit Pandit in both the departments here.

At the end comes the theme that ran on the promo. The good part for the Salman fans here is that you have dialogs here too.

Overall, the album is a pretty good one with Tere mast mast do nain already running everywhere and Hudd hudd dabangg and Humka Peeni hai ready to take over. Sajid-Wajid, who created some high quality stuff for Veer, have this time not gone down on quality but have kept in mind the movie and the audience and created something that will be a hit. If you’re a Salman fan, there are just two words to be said: Dabangg Ho!

We are Family starts with SEL at their romantic best, as they come up with a typical romantic Aankhon mein neendein sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shreya Ghoshal along with Shankar Mahadevan. Irshad Kamil does no breakthrough to lyrics but adds a few beautiful touches to his words here and there. Lovable. A song for the long run.

If you haven’t heard the album yet, reduce the volume a bit before the second song starts. As Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy-KJo-Sid make Kajol kill Elvis with Dil Khol ke let’s rock, it’s clear that the song is definitely not the best thing for a music lover, but the song is certainly a tongue-sticker. Taking the video into account, I’d say Anushka does a wonderful job at being carefree while Akriti is good as a support and singer. The rocker Suraj Jagan sings this one also really well, though the negative point of the same is that he doesn’t sound casual unlike Anushka. Last word, you are anyway not likely to love it the first time, and if you’re an Elvis fan, there is no way at all. But even after all this, the song is going to be a hit, a superhit. After all, it’s Elvis’ music, and recreated by none less than SEL.

Next is the Best. Vishal Dadlani and Shankar Mahadevan come together for a wonderful Reham-O-Karam and the song just rocks. Reham-O-Karam starts with a casual solo rendering by Shankar and then suddenly it all gets rocking. From the on Vishal and Shankar sing Irshad Kamil’s lyrics to the wonderful tune of SEL and it’s Magik. Oops, magic.

Next song happens to be Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal’s Hamesha and Forever, which is kind of typical with nothing new but just some sweetness that both Sonu and Shreya have in plenty. A soft, slow number that will stick itself with the story of the movie and will keep walking at its own pace. Another one for long runs, but ma take some time to take off. As the name says, Hamesha and Forever.

The last song of the album is Sun le dua yeh aasmaan. The song is pretty slow, even from Karan and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s standards and Bela Shende does a good and pretty tough job as she moves the song alone. As a matter of fact, it’s almost a theme.

The end of the album is, of course, with a theme and this time Karan keeps the privilege for the trio again after MNIK where he had given the theme alone to Strings. It’s a typical, what do I say.

Overall, We Are Family is a predictably good and sweet album from Karan Johar and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. Believe me I’m keeping Karan first because that matters more here. And yes, all the three words (predictable-sweet-good) don’t fit with JailHouse Rock. Still, I’m humming it.

Best of the album: I guess Reham-O-Karam, followed by Aankhon mein neendein.

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Now that Karan Johar’s next product We are Family is coming, some of the details are coming out and I’m again getting a feeling that the music of the film will be same again. The typical that happens to be in his movies: one or two songs with a Sufi touch, one party song, like in a bar or something, maybe one philosophical, and quite surely a sad version, and definitely one theme. I think though that after MNIK, WAF also may have one rock-ish number as Suraj Jagan is there again.

For example, I know there is a song called Rehem-o-Karam in the movie and by the very words, I smell a Sufi song. Not that I don’t like Sufi songs but hasn’t he had enough of them in MNIK already? By the way, the song Rehem-o-Karam is sung by Vishal Dadlani along with Shankar Mahadevan. I wish Rehem-o-Karam turns out to be a rock number but chances look kind of bleak.

I know Karan knows what he is doing and I also know that the songs that come out will be wonderful, and at the same time hit, superhit. But I think this way, music loses, and at the end, we lose.

Anyway, all I can do for now is anticipate and guess, until the music release, which is reportedly scheduled for first week of August, though I was expecting end of July, guessing 28th. And all I wish is that I’m proved wrong, and KJo and SEL bring us the best music we have ever heard. Amen.

Update: Here is the detailed soundtrack of the movie.

1. Ankhon Mein Neendein – Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shreya Ghoshal, Shankar Mahadevan (5:02)
2. Dil Khol Ke Let’s Rock – Anushka Manchanda, Akriti Kakkar, Suraj Jagan (03:57)
3. Reham O Karam – Vishal Dadlani, Shankar Mahadevan (05:47)
4. Hamesha & Forever – Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Tara Waaliya (04:51)
5. Sun Le Dua Yeh Aasmaan (Theme Slow Version) – Shankar Mahadevan (03:53)
6. We Are Family (Theme) – Dominique Cerejo, Clinton Cerejo, Neuman Pinto, Vivienne Pocha (02:48)