Yuvan is Evolving. Review on Raam Songs

Yuvan Shankar Raja is evolving a style of his own in each and every album. He has got the right mix of positive elements of both Illayaraja and A.R.Rahman and when mixed it gives a new sound which we are going to call Yuvan kind of music in the very near future. After stupendous success of his music in “7G, Rainbow colony” and “Manmathan”, Yuvan has come with yet another winning music in “Raam”. He joins hands with the director Ameer again after “Mounam Peisyathey” which also had some great songs. Yuan is the choice of all new directors these days and there is no surprise in it as he is able to satisfy both the classes and masses especially the youth.

The album has got totally 6 songs and one Instrumental. The lyrics are penned by Snehan. It is a different album from Yuvan like his “Nanda” album. Except two songs all the songs are melodies but no ordinary instruments and rhythms are used, instead he has used techno stuff even for melodies. With deft usage of synthesized rhythms, techno beats and electronic sounds, the melodies have the same soul and sound as it would be with usual ingredients like flute, tabla, guitar, piano, violins etc., The reason behind is, he has got some nice, catchy, simple tunes and also right singers for all the songs. And moreover all the songs seem to be situational. Well, let us get into the description of the songs

Boom Boom

Yuvan, Jyostna, Premji, Tippu

It is a typical Yuvan style of composing peppy freak out song. The song starts with a catchy tune played in a keyboard which may become a favorite ring tone in the future like “Manmadhan” theme. The fugue of techno beats and percussions sounds, mix of rap with strumming electric guitar in the background, and non disturbing electronic sounds in the interludes makes this song instantly catchy and foot tapping. Yuvan’s maturity in layering sounds and rhythms is evident in this song. Lyrics are mere fillers. The high point is that it doesn’t sound Rahmanish though it has all the elements and the format of a Rahman’s fast number. On the whole it is an enjoyable number.

Araariraro

K.J.Yesudas

This is the best song of the album in my opinion. What is important for a singer is perfect RED in his voice i.e., perfect Rendition, Expression and Diction. K.J.Yesudas who has got this perfect RED uplifts the song with his ever refreshing magnetic voice. The tune is simple and soothing. The beats are subtle and harmless. A beep sound is looped in the background along with the beats which sets the basic pulse of the song. The first interlude is excellent with flute and strings blending into a melody. The prelude of this song is completely different from the feel of song with an Arabic feel in it. It is a sweet lullaby sung by a son for his mother. The lyrics are not bad but could have been more innovative.

Nizhalindri Nijamum

Vijay Yesudas, Yuvan

It is again a good melody. It is again a song sung by a son to his mother. Vijay Yesudas has improved a lot and his voice is equally soothing as his father’s voice. The interludes are filled with percussions samples which is exactly the same as that which he used in “Vaa masa kaatrae” song in “Kurumbu” but no harm as is gels with the feel of this song too. The song flows smoothly like a clear stream without any ups and downs in rhythm and pace. Yuvan’s “La hi li la hi yeh” bit repeated at many places adds pep to the song. His style of singing and even his voice sounds like Rahman’s. The guitar piece amidst the chorus in the second interlude which brings the song to a halt for a second and the chord which resumes the song sounds good. But there is a big inspiration for this song which we come to know when we hear the female version of this song and that song is

Vizhigindra Pozhuthu

Madhumitha

This is the female version of the previous song. It is sung well by Madhumitha. What Shreya ghosal is to Hindi film music is what Madhumitha is to Tamil film music. She has a very sweet, innocent voice which suits well for the present heroines and also her classical base makes her fit for this type of songs. She does it again in this song with her expressive singing. The packaging of this song is completely different from the previous song especially in the prelude, interlude and postlude a new kind of overlapping chorus is used well.

The song starts with a humming which reveals the inspiration behind the theme of this song. The theme tune is almost the same as the tune of “Kannathil Muhtamittal” chorus part of the same song. Yuvan could have well avoided this but it is good that the vocal part of the song has a different new tune. In the male version we won’t recognize the resemblance because of Yuvan’s singing the tune with some junk words.

Manithan Solkindra

K.J.Yesudas, Vijay Yesudas, Ranjith

It is thematically similar to “Adada” song from “Pithamagan”. Yuvan has done a bit of experimentation but song could have been better with more orchestration and some heavy percussions. Mere high tempo techno beats flowing in the background are not enough for such powerful songs. Lack of the above said elements reduces the necessary force in the song. But the usage of the percussion Chendai and Mohan Veena are commendable. When I felt that song gains momentum with the introduction of Urumi Melam, it ends immediately. K.J.Yesudas again does his job well and it becomes quite difficult for us differentiate his voice from Vijay. Being a situational number, it would gel well with the movie and it is quite good though not excellent. Lyrics are average.

Yaro Arivaal

Madhu Balakrishnan

Though a very short number, it is an excellent song. The song starts with a haunting flute piece and beats. It may sound like “7GRBC” theme initially but there is no similarity with respect to the tune, it is because of usage of same type of flute and backing bass. Madhubalakrishnan is another clone of Yesudas and does a fine job in this song. The song has a good orchestration at the end with Chendai followed by banjos and trumpets with percussions.

The one minute long theme Music track is just a flute piece playing a tune which sounds almost similar to 7GRBC theme music.

On the whole, Yuvan has something different for us this time and the album is definitely worth a buy.