My new year present came early this year in the form of the music of ‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’. YAY !
*surprise, surprise*
I’ve been eagerly awaiting this album considering it is pitched as the perfect Valentine’s Day date movie. Composed by Amit Trivedi (of Dev D and Aisha fame), the album consists of 5 original songs and 2 remixes. One does have high expectations considering it’s backed by Karan Johar, Imran Khan & Kareena Kapoor and directed by newcomer Shakun Batra.
And the disc starts to play.
Alternating loops of heavy sound effects pave the way for the first song ‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’. Benny Dayal offers a funky-peppy start to the album with inputs from Anushka Manchanda and Shefali Alvares. More can be read about this song HERE! All-in-all a perfect date song. A remix version is also included but it’s very blah and just like any other remix today.
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Amit Trivedi’s raw, rustic voice results in a serene rendition of ‘Gubbare’. Joined by Shipa Rao towards the end, it is a very situational song wherein the protagonists are dancing around balloons (!). Yes, it sounds unappealing but has the potential of creating huge buzz with its picturization. A special mention is in order for the lovely Jazz-like usage of saxophones, whistling of the melody and the innovative lyrics.
“That’s right baby! Aunty Ji, this one’s for you”
Phew!
‘Aunty Ji’ is a 180 degree shift from the soft compositions heard till now. Dear reader, I HAVE to quote the lyrics for you:
“Haan baalon ki safedi, se fikha kab huva hai romance
Aunty Ji Aunty Ji.. Get up and dance…”
“Jitna puraana ho sona sona sona
Kyun na phir bhi rahega woh sona sona sona baby
Aur nasheeli ho wine puraani aunty,
Smile abhi bhi hai million dollar aunty”
Sounds corny, completely mediocre tune but the song is brilliantly sung by Ash King. Repeated hearing is a must to truly appreciate the retro feel of it. Why should elders be stuck with a stereotype of being boring, unattractive old-hats? The song defies the above-mentioned notion from every possible angle and urges ‘Aunty Ji’ to let her hair down and dance! P.S. Primarily a party number, you’ll either love it or hate it. I loved it.
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‘Aahatein’ is a very simple song backed by just three instruments – namely, the guitar, piano and drums. Sung by Karthik & Shilpa Rao, the song talks about how ‘everything is the same yet something seems to be amiss – the lack of your presence’. Any Indian movie, with even a slight element of romance, is incomplete without a sad lovey-dovey song and ‘Aahatein’ is the one for this movie. I think that explains it all. There’s nothing great over here to take home with you.
The remix version sung by my favorite Shekhar Ravjiani and Shilpa Rao seems to more of a lounge-meets-trance version. Slightly better than the original, it still lacks a punch.
The final song ‘Kar Chalna Shuru Tu’ begins with what seems to be the faint sound of organs. Wedding chapel eh? Now, this is more like it!
“The past can’t be changed, the future can’t be predicted, the present is in our hands, why do you want to lose it? Let’s gather our hopes and see where this path takes us. Just start walking and don’t look back because however we are, we are correct for each other.”
Vishal Dadlani and Shilpa Rao are apt choices for this song. Vishal infuses life into it and really brings about the happy-inspiring feeling intended while Shilpa complements him very well. And woot! Saxophones once again! Special mention to the lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya.
As the music faded out, I was left wanting for more. The album begins and ends on a great note and manages to sustain the flow throughout too. Yet, I craved for more from Amit Trivedi. In my opinion, this is the mark of a good album. ‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’ is definitely worth picking up.
My Picks: ‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’,’Aunty Ji’, ‘Kal Chalna Shuru Tu’
RATING : *** out of ***** (3 out of 5)
