A great score. Review on Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna Songs

These are my mother's views on the album. I am posting it here as she is not computer savvy.

Having given music for all the young guns of Bollywood (Nikhil Advani, Shaad Ali) Shankar-ehsaan-Loy have mastered the art of feeling the pulse of the youth and delivering numbers which are melodious, aesthetically appealing and youthful at the same time. Karan Johar makes a judicious decision by appointing the trio as the music director for KANK, the year’s most-awaited blockbuster after Krrish. And good music is half the battle won. So, KANK starts off on a right note.

Though the title song is laced with sadness, the pure melody gets to you right from the first syllable. And Sonu sings it like only Sonu can, giving it the right feel like he did with Kal Ho Na Ho. Alka gives him able support but cannot match up to his vocal prowess. Javed saab is impeccable as usual with his inimitable brand of shayari.

The influx of Pakistani singers has enriched Hindi film music no end. The Indo-Pak partnership continues as Shankar ropes in Shafaqat Ali (from Pak band Fuzon) to accompany him in Mitwa, a tune that will grow on you immediately. It has a minor reference to Sayyoni, by Junoon, which became a rage a few years ago. The remix version, Mitwa Revisited, is equally funky and rhythmic. A dance floor number, no doubt!

Shaan and Vasundhara Das come together to recreate the “It’s the time to disco” magic in “Where’s the party tonight”. Although it is not as feet tapping as its predecessor, it holds its own. Shankar’s classical alaap gives this western number a unique Indian touch that is sure to go a long way in making it popular.

Tumhi dekho na is the quintessential romantic number without which no album is complete. It sounds like a mix of the title song and Mitwaa but soon establishes its identity. Sonu and Alka render this song quite soulfully. In these days of heavy orchestration, it is quite a relief to come across a simple melody with minimal instrumental interference.

Rock-n-roll Soniye is that baap-beta number that has become such an essential part of Amitabh starrers. So, after crooning with Akki in Waqt and SRK in Kabhi Khushi, Amit is back with his own baby (after the stupendously successful Kajrare in Bunty aur Babli) in KANK to prove that age has not mellowed his dancing skills. Shankar, Shaan and Mahalaxmi Iyer belt out this qawwali disco fusion with the right amount of energy and verve.

The flute has been the latest Indian instrument to effectively go Western as is evident in Farewell Trance,the instrumental version of the title song, where this humble piece of wood takes on techno and digital stuff to give us a musical treat that is rare nowadays.

With successful music directors splitting up one hopes and prays that this musical trio does not follow suit but that it stays together and comes up with such great musical scores.

Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy: “Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna”.