Finally, music of Newyork is out. Newyork will be the Yashrajs first movie of 2009 starring John, Neil and Katrina and is having a backdrop of 9/11th attack with story of 3 friends. This film is directed by Kabir Khan who is famous for his off-beat Kabul Express. Music is given by Pritam whose "Gazab Bhayo Rama" is still on the charts. Here is my take on the album
1. Hai Junoon: First Track starts with a guitar strumming and at the same time you will start feeling I-have-heard-this-before. Well, this track is crooned by KK in a soothing calm voice and even he failed to keep the track alive. It took me around 4-5 listening to listen the full song. The main culprit is the slowness of the track (Surprised??? Even I was confused when I listened this one for first time but Pritam keeps on surprising Isn’t it) and after a few Hai junoooooooon, you will get bored of the Oooooooooos **and will eventually skip to the next track.
The lyrics are bySandeep Srivastava and is quite refreshing talking about the dreams of youths.
Kabhi jo milenge raaste, Pal mein hi chamkegi hasi purani toh
Kaho kya kahoge phirrr hamey, Kaise chupaoge nami yeh palko ki
An unexpectedly slow track from Pritam which might do well in movie but not otherwise...
Remix: this remix is done by Julius Packium (Known for his band Joshilay and Kabul express), and is full of bass beats and higher tempos but this track is much much better than the original one. Here KK voice seems like mixing well with the mood and pace of the song but with too much of Ooooooooooossss.
UPDATE: Hai Junoon is a rip-off of Naluri Lelaki, an Indonesian song (Source: https://itwofs.com)
2. Mere Sang: Next track starts with a good background rendition (Ouooo how can I love you more. How can I love you more) and then Sunidhi joins the center stage to croon this track. This track has a typical Pritam touch in it , like use of guitars and drums and sudden rise in tempos which gives it a feeling of rock but some places it feels trite and insipid. Lyrics are again by Sandeep Srivastava and talks about how love can change ones way towards life.
Ruk Na Raho mein, Roke Agar kal tujhe Parchaiyan
Sang tere mein bhi hoon, Tanha nahi hai Teri Tanhaiyan
Mein jo sang hoon, Tere rang hoon
Rahon se teri chun loon mein khwaab
Har lamha yun guzre ke gehrata jaaye pyaar
Remix: This remix is done by Julius Packium, starts with some electronically modified Aaare aare aare followed by drum percussion and some rap and then starts the repetition of Aaare aare aare for almost 10 times after every 30 sec or every stanza (and it was irritating for sure). It’s an ok ok kind of remix where Hai junoon is used in background.
3. Tune Jo Na Kaha: Next track Tune Jo Na kaha is in the voice of the most happening singer of 2009 Mohit Chauhan. But here comes the culprit I-have-heard-this-before feeling and all of sudden Chal Chalen Apne Ghar from Woh Lamhe will come to your mind (Damn Pritam, ab apne gaano ki hi Chori ???? aise kaise chalega) but even after that there is something in the lyrics by Sandeep, that will hold your attention
Tune jo na kaha main wo sunta raha, khaamkha bewajah khwaab bunta raha
jaane kis ki hamein lag gayi hai nazar, is shehar mein na apna thikana raha
door chaahat se main apni chalta raha, khaamkha bewajah khwaab bunta raha
And the sad rendition by Mohit along with the dull music, certainly suits the mood of song. So far the best track which will be on my playlist for long..
4. Aye Saaye Mere: Next track starts with a heartfelt sufiana rendition by Pankaj Awasthi (He came up with an album Nine in 2005 which came and gone without notice) who also gave the music of this track which seems to be giving the message of the movie based on 9/11 attack. Lyrics by Junaid Wasi are refreshing and Pankaj did a good job in singing as well as using simple instrument for this track. This should be the background song in the movie
aa aaja aye saaye mere, aa aaja kahin aur chale
har soch hai ek band gali, har dil mein yahan taale pade
- Sam’s Theme: This one is composed by Julius Packium and crooned by Caralisa Monteiro (known for Phir Dekhiye from Rock on) in a poignant soothing rendition. The best part of this one is the minimum use of instruments which gives it a feel-good-to-listen-alone feeling.
6. New York Theme: The second instrumental is again composed by Julius and is a gloomy, tense and very intense composition with a superb use of drum and guitar. This instrumental needs a few listening to grow on you (if you like gloomy instrumentals) and it will surely suit the theme of the movie.
My Take: This album is a typical Pritam album with a slow track (hai junoon), which is again remixed (thanks God not by Pritam himself), a song about life which is again remixed, a sad song with Heard it before feeling and finally two instrumentals. Expectations were high fron this YRF’ s Biggie but it failed to deliver it at music front but still its worth listening. Lets wait for the movie to see that how it fares on the viewers.. I will give it 2 and half out of 5.