Rockstar is one of the most anticipated movies of this year and so is the music of this Ranbir Kapoor starrer. The expectations from the music of this much awaited movie are soaring due to many reasons. The first reason being an Imtiaz Ali film, we can always expect some chartbuster music akin to his previous films Love Aaj Kal and Jab We Met. When the music of your film is in the safe hands of music maestro A.R.Rahman, you know you are hitting the charts! And lastly Ranbir Kapoor who is at this point of time also the nation’s heartthrob is playing a Rockstar. Things can’t get any better than this. Let’s have a quick music review of this musical extravaganza.
The album kick starts with Phir Ud Se Chala, which opens with a melodious choir fading in and out while a mandolin strums in the back. This soulful rendition also has eloquent lyrics by Irshad Kamil & is crooned by Mohit Chauhan who pulls it off with such verve. The meaning of flying and letting go of inhibitions can get cliché but the lyrics are full of life in its metaphors and evokes a very wistful feel to the song.
The evocative Jo Bhi Main opens with that beguiling ‘Ya-ya-ya’ by Mohit Chauhan, but follows with the audience echoing the chorus back to him, which makes this song look like it’s a LIVE musical concert. The composition is hypnotic with the early soft rock sound with the understated electric guitar in the back, and the fabulous bass line throughout the track.
The supremely catchy chorus of ‘tinga-ling-tinga-linga’ immediately ensures its popularity, but its Harshdeep Kaur’s fabulous vocals, which make the song, go beyond its intentioned value. Katiya Karoon is a peppy fun song which really lives up to one’s expectations.
Kun Faaya Kun is a sufi track which is heaven to your ears. A. R Rahman’s Sufi songs are always easy on the ear and instant hits, and this one is no different. Javed Ali’s mellow voice and AR Rahman’s huskier tone sound perfect together, and Mohit Chauhan chimes in at times making this song a real treat to all sufi listeners out there.
The cool track in Rockstar is Sheher Mein, which takes place in the recording studio with interludes by the music producer correcting both Mohit and Karthik.
Hawa hawa, has an middle eastern Arabic touch to it. With Mohit Chauhan experimenting voice in this song it makes this song more special and unique in its own way.
Alma Ferovic opens Aur Ho, with her pensive and poignant singing, and then we have the brooding bass riff in the back, which sounds so dilapidated and finally some old school rock music too! Mohit Chauhan begins with a very affected and hurt voice, which fits the lyrics perfectly.
Tango for Taj, the three minute instrumental, is a common, but nice, and to some extent engaging track that one would actually like to dance on. While Dichtomy of Fame, based on Shehnai and guitars, is one instrumental piece in long time I really liked, even though I don’t think I have much of an ear for instrumental pieces.
After a hiatus, we get to hear the bewitching voice Kavita Subramaniam in the song Tum Ko. It is a fabulous track which needs to be heard.
The next track is Nadaan Parindey. Excellent guitar mixed with drum solos and of course Mohit and Rahman’s awe-inspiring vocals make this song special.
Another pick from the album is Tum Ho, which is a soft rock love song, but here the euphony and lyrics complement each other well. Mohit Chauhan’s voice is perfect on this track, going from ominous to evocative in the space of a few measures. Suzanne D’Mello’s humming in the back gives the song a charming mood.
FINALLY! We get to the song that has been the new anthem for the nation, Sadda Haq.
With a rollicking jagged riff by Orianthi Panagaris, the lead guitarist for the late Michael Jackson’s tour band, the song enters full on rock territory! Mohit Chauhan takes this song to a whole new level as this song had his voice encrypted since the beginning. This song will surely take your breath away and another mega chartbuster in the making.
We end the album with, Meeting Place, which has a miraculous and spooky mood to it and has Ranbir uttering a Rumi line.
Overall, it is a ROCKING album as it has songs covering all dimensions of music ranging from sufi to rock! This album is here to stay for a long long time.
BY SRINJAN BHOWMICK