Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani – Music Review (Bollywood Soundtrack)

Bollywood, Film Music | April 30, 2013 by Vipin | 4 Comments

Not often do Pritam’s massy tracks work for me, but Badtameez Dil has been a delightful exception. The fun trumpet-led arrangement, Amitabh Bhattacharya’s nonsensical lyrics and a stellar job by Benny Dayal on vocals, assisted by Shefali Alvares. Special points for not having a remix! I wasn’t impressed with Balam Pichkaari much when I saw the promos, but the full version does offer some interesting world elements in the arrangement. The use of harmonium, banjo and the violin (in the first interlude) are particularly impressive. Those and the exuberant singing by Vishal Dadlani and Shalmali Kholgade ensure that you are engaged, though the song wouldn’t rate among the best Holi songs. Arijit Singh and Sunidhi Chauhan’s energy on the other hand prove insufficient in making Dilliwaali Girlfriend work beyond its dance floor-friendly aspect. Ghagra rates even lower, offering pretty much nothing new in terms of arrangement, and in the process lays waste to Rekha Bhardwaj and Vishal Dadlani’s vocal efforts.

Subhaanallah belongs to the kind of melody that is instantly recognizable as Pritam’s work due to the recurrent motifs, but still passes muster owing to some factor. In this case that factor happens to be Sreeram’s spotless rendition, with a cameo of sorts from Shilpa Rao. There isn’t much that differs between the two versions of Ilahi except Arijit Singh’s replacement by Mohit Chauhan. And both the singers do a smart job of delivering the song even as the composer provides a breezy arrangement that features some excellent guitar and banjo. Even the children’s chorus is well-placed. Pritam kind of makes up to Rekha Bhardwaj for Ghagra with Kabira, a placid melody whose only drawback is the rock-based arrangement’s evocation of past songs. It still has enough spunk in it to merit more listens than one, thanks also to the singing by Rekha and Tochi Raina. The encore version is more imaginative that way, with some folk infusion and some choral elements. And there is the fab rendition by Harshdeep Kaur and Arijit Singh as well.