An album/ song can be said as completely successful only when it satisfies all the four people for whom the song is made. They are the i) the masses who just want peppy dance numbers to play it in their parties ii) the classes who look for some uniqueness in sound and substance in the songs even if the song is said to be a mere dance number iii) the director for whom the songs should fit well in the situation of the movie for which it is scored and iv) the composer himself who should reinvent himself and move ahead to create something that he had never done before.
I think “Bunty aur Babli” album is such a complete one which satisfies one and all. Though the songs are babli there is no any run-off-the-mill stuff in it. After “Kyun Ho Gaya Na”, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is back into the business with yet another successful album. The album has totally six songs and the lyrics are penned by Gulzar.
Dhadak
Though it is a train journey songs like “Chaiyya chaiyya”, there is no any deliberate sounds and beats to resonate the train rhythms as it is, instead simple folk beats with Dholak and some additional percussions resonates the dhakas of train and also chorus and some wind instrument that sounds like a train horn all put together virtually takes us in train journey along with Bunty aur Babli. The song has a simple and catchy folkish tune that carries the rustic village feel with it. It is quite different to listen to Sunidhi in a folk song without any stylish rendition. Udit as always does a fine job.
Chupke
This is a typical SEL’s melody but again they have tried something new in overall sound of the song. I didn’t like this song initially but it definitely grows on you on repeated listening. The innovative percussions, the electric piano, flute and veena sounds are used quite differently in the interludes, further the continuous variation in background rhythms keeps us glued to the song. Sonu and Mahalaxmi is a nice new pair for a duet and hope to hear more from this combo. They have done an expressive job. The tune of main line “Cupke Chupke” sound more melodious in Veena than with vocals. On the whole, it is a nice melody with unpredictable twists.
Nach Baliye
It is a foot tapping techno bhangra number. Though it follows a typical pop bhangra format with heavy dosage of techno beats with Punjabi beats it has its own freshness with the energetic rhythm it sets, with the tune that is catchy and the choice of singers. A classical singer Somya Rao, Shankar Mahadevan, the robotized voice of Loy adds some freshness to this song.
Bunty Aur Babli
This rocking song starts straight away with a catchy and funny theme for the movie with the title being aptly set to tunes. The song sounds rural with tabla beats, flute pieces and lot of chorus usage in the song and even sounds Punjabi at times with typical usage of Punjabi strings and rhythms. Lot of funny sounds is also used well along with real instruments creating a funny sound. Sukhwinder singh as always gives an energetic performance; Shankar Mahadevan renders some melodious lines in between. Siddarth Mahadevn (I guess son of Shankar Mahadevan) debuts with this song and there is a clear sign of an evolving singer in his voice.
B n B
It is the rap version of the previous track by Blaaze. It is equally catchy as the original version, as they use the same theme lines sung by chorus in between the rap portions. One of the most innovative things about the track is the sound of brief Veena piece that appears twice in the middle, which again belongs to never-heard-before sound.
Kajra Re
It is a foot tapping Mujhra number which also got some fresh elements within the typical format of the genre to which the song belongs. Firstly, usage of violin choirs at places where normally composers Harmonium pieces in such songs, it sure adds a new sound to the song. Secondly, the voice of Alisha Chinai in a semi classical number is good experimentation and she does a fine job though sometimes moves to a seductive tone. The mukdas, the chorus, the strings in the first interlude, violin choir in the second interlude are all good and makes this song a sure shot winner.
Though the songs in the album may fade from your mind after two or three months, it will entertain and keep you in ecstasy when you come back and listen to it even after decades.