In spite of the similarity with two Turkish songs – pop diva Bengu’s chartbuster Unut beni and singer-composer Kayahan Acar’s Bir ask hikayesi, Yeh jism is a delightful listen! Composer Arko creates a strong melody, ropes in the versatile Ali Azmat (Garaj baras – Paap) to render it and deftly uses instruments such as the violin and piano to heighten the pathos of this emotional song.
Azmat is also superb in his other solo, Maula. His ability to convey pain and sadness through his powerful voice reminds one of his earlier songs with the band Junoon. Arko opens this track with the haunting strains of a cello and contrasts it beautifully with the industrial sounding chorus. The lyrics, vocals and melody blend in perfect unison, making Maula an immediate winner.
Though Abhi abhi falls into the classic Bhatt soulful song template, it’s KK’s endearing vocals that make this soft-rock number immensely likeable. The duet version is even better, with Akriti Kakkar’s sensual voice complementing KK wonderfully. Shreya Ghoshal’s cameo is a pleasant surprise. Mithoon’s solo composition Yeh kasoor is a melancholic song about love and loss. The minimal instrumentation gives scope for singer Sonu Kakkar to shine and she doesn’t disappoint.
Pakistani band Rushk’s Darta hoon is a gothic metal number that’s a bit too grungy for an album that’s otherwise soaked in melody. Composer Abdul Baasith Saeed’s Hey walla features Mariyam Unoosha, one of the biggest singing stars of the Maldives. But the trance number disappoints and sticks out in an otherwise impressive album.
Verdict: Good melodies for a rainy day!
