Rockstar - A. R. Rahman Music Review

Bollywood Dil Se Music Review: Rockstar

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Rockstar

Music Directors: A.R. Rahman

Lyrics: Irshad Kamil, Rumi

Bollywood Dil Se Rating: ❤  ❤  ❤  ❤ ½

Phir Se Udd Chala

Singer: Mohit Chauhan

Finally, we have it! Rockstar’s music is out today after many speculations. The journey of 14 masterpieces begins with this one. Mohit Chauhan (who appears on 7 songs out of 14) starts off with his known style of singing. The song is simply breath taking. Everything right from Rahmanic beginning to Techno transition after about a minute, Mohit Chauhan’s voice, and lyrics, all sound apt. Previous two albums of Rahman did not have hummable lyrics but this time its Irshad Kamil. So the album will appeal to mass and class both.This is the way to begin the A. R. Rahman album. I love these phrases.

Kisi manzar par main ruka nahi,
Kabhi khud se bhi main mila nahi,
Yeh gila toh hai main khafa nahi,
Shehar ek se gaon ek se,
Log ek se naam ek hoo…

Jo Bhi Main

Singer: Mohit Chauhan

O ye ye! After the kick-start, the album starts progressing on its theme viz. Rock! And yes, a soft rock in Mohit Chauhan’s voice. Lyrics and composition rock big time. However, there is nothing new in sounds for this song but composition simply rocks me. And Rahman’s music arrangement is so brilliant, that it can make an ordinary sounding song the ultimate addiction.

Kateya Karoon

Singer: Harshdeep Kaur

This song is one of the best songs of the album. The typical Punjabi folk sounding track has some brilliant crooning by Harshdeep Kaur. I remember she was a contestant in a reality show on NDTV. The song pumps great oomph until the end, but the song gets a beautiful subtle ending. One more reason to love the song is its lyrics. The meaning of Saari Raatein katiya karoon is “to spin, all night” and tera roon is “your cotton”. The literal meaning says that the beloved wants to spin the cotton of her lover by which she means that she would do anything for him the whole night.

Kun Fayakun

Singers: A. R. Rahman, Javed Ali, Mohit Chauhan

Be and it is! This is the literal meaning of Kun Faaya Kun (even I was unknown about it, I goggled it). Music of A. R. Rahman is distinctive from the parallel bunch of music directors due to many reasons, but the strong main reason is the divinity and soulfulness in his music. Be it Khwaja Mere Khwaja or Piya Haji Ali, Rahman has always worshipped Allah with his whole heart, and this song can be added to the roll for sure. Javed Ali scores once again after Maula from Delhi - 6.Rahman composed this song especially for Dargah Of Nizammudin and I have no doubt why it sounds so pious.

Sheher Mein

Singers: Mohit Chauhan, Karthik

Groovy! That’s the only word to describe the song. Song has very familiar music arrangement but what makes the song an outstanding one is the composition and lyrics. Mohit Chauhan does a nice job once again.  I feel Mohit Chauhan will reach new horizons after this album. The blend of Indo – Western lyrics add different flavor to the song as well.

Hava Hava

Singer: Mohit Chauhan

Dear readers, please don’t mind when I refer about Rahman’s composition in each and every song of the album. Yes, Rahman again brings out the unique, addictive, unexpected composition that sounds so fresh due to innovative music production.  Mohit Chauhan seems to be singing in “The Masakalli” mood and I can’t help but to grove simultaneously by the uncanny crooning.The song has a brilliant ending as well.

Aur Ho

Singers: Mohit Chauhan, Alma Ferovic

I loved Mere Yaar Mila De from Saathiyaa. The song Aur Ho has the same mood, but that’s the only thing similar between the two songs. The prior one had Indo-Arabic beats where as this one has a rock attitude! Lyrics sound grungy and painful. Alma Ferovic is noteworthy. I wish if Rahman had sung all the songs, just a notion. Aur Ho! This what the title says, and so do I, bring it more!The song is a slow poison.

Tango For Taj

Instrumental

The first instrumental of the album. It kicks off with the trademark Rahman style piano orchestral and soon turns soulful due to violins and mouth organs. I must say, Rahman at its melodic best!

Tum Ko

Singer: Kavita Krishnamurthy

Kavita Subramanium aka Krishnamurthy has delieverd some massive hits with Rahman and this one will be one of them, for sure. Soothing, the only word to describe the whole musical experience that Rahman has created. The synthesized bass beats with Tabla and violin is something that only Rahman can serve.

The Dichotomy of Fame

Instrumental Feat. Balesh on Shehnai & Kabuli on Guitars

Well, correct me if I am wrong, but this song is actually picturised on the legendary Shammi Kapoor. This song is the second (and last) instrumental on the cover. And I get to know about two more rock stars after this instrumental, Balesh and Kabuli. Balesh is a prodigy of Shehnai and so is Kabuli on guitars.

Naadaan Parindey

Singers: A. R. Rahman, Mohit Chauhan

This song is filmed for climax. I may sound raw and informal, but yes, the song gives me goose bumps! I guess this one will surpass Sadda Haq as soon as its promo comes out. Love the way Irshad does it and love the way Rahman does it! Simply addictive!

Tum Ho

Singers: Mohit Chauhan, Suzanne D'Mello

I have been listening this tune now and then in the trailer of Rockstar, but the song itself is very different than what it seems in the promo. The song is the reprised version of Tum Ko Paa Hi Liya, but reprised version in its true forms. The lyrics, tempo and beats, all differ from the Kavita Subraminium song. however, I like both. It’s a tough choice to pick out one from these two.

Sadda Haq

Singers: Mohit Chauhan feat. Orianthi on Guitars

(Choral Vocal Arrangements by Clinton Cerejo)

The song is a rave hit already. And no doubt, it deserves all the hype. Actually, it was Sadda Haq, that created the superlative hype for this album, and I think, the album fairly survives the expectation. Orianthi was the lead guitarist in the MJ’s (ill fated) This is it! Concert. I heard her single “According To You” and I was completely blown. She is brilliant! Moreover, I would like to interprete my version of the meaning behind the lyrics of Sadda Haq:

Sadda Haq, Aithe Rakh….


O Echo Friendly Nature Ke Rakshak
Main Bhi Hu Nature
Rivazon Se Samajo Se
Kyun Tu Kate Mujhe
Kyun Bate Mujhe Is Tarah


Kyun Sach Ka Sabak Sikhaye
Jab Sach Sunni Na Paye
Sach Koi Bole Toh Tu
Niyam Kanoon Bataye


Tera Darr, Tera Pyaar, 
Teri Waah Tu Hi Rakh
Rakh Sala

The protagonist demands the world to give his rights back to him. He is furious when the people differentiate him in the name of god, culture and tradition. He is fed up from the mean world that teaches the lessons they themselves never follow. He is thus, rebellious and thus, demands his rights back.

The Meeting Place

Singers:Ranbir Kapoor

A beautiful piece to end up the memorable journey, in Ranbeer's voice! The credit for lyrics goes to poet and sufi saint Rumi.


Before I conclude, I would like to mention few notions. Firstly, forgive me if I wrote Rahman twice or thrice in every song review. Secondly, forgive me if I rate it a 4.5 and not 5, even I don't know the reason. Finally, this album is undoubtedly the album of the year.

Rating: ❤  ❤  ❤  ❤  ½




(P.S: I don't have the sense to criticise Rahman's music. No one has. So I would like to change the title as "Rockstar Music Impression" rather than "Rockstar Music Review")