A Typppical Amit Trivedi Album (Queen – Music Review)

Hasee Toh Phasee already creating buzz, Phantom Productions has one more lined up for February, Queen. Starring Kangana Ranaut, this movie looks damn promising from its trailer and song promos. Their favorite composer Amit Trivedi has again done the work after the critically acclaimed Lootera which got huge appreciation for its music. But a thing to imagine is that how the lyrics department is governed by Dharma freak Anvita Dutt. The kind of production house it is, the kind of movie it looks and the composer which they have used, Amitabh Bhattacharya would have been the perfect choice. While I was thinking all this, I started listening the songs.

 

 

 

CLICK HERE to buy Full Soundtrack of Queen

 

  Music Label: T Series

 

1. London Thumakda – Singers: Labh Janjua, Neha Kakkar, Sonu Kakkar;  Music: Amit Trivedi;  Lyrics: Anvita Dutt

When Amit Trivedi goes into the Punjabi zone, his songs never creates the loudness that every Punjabi dance song does. That’s what makes his Punjabi song very different from others. It starts with an amazing Banjo which has been played like a Tumbi just as in Gal Mitthi Mitthi. Labh Janjua has sung it effortlessly with Kakkar sisters supporting his vocals smoothly. The song goes in the Navrai Majhi zone in the antara after the interlude which is filled with a Mandolin-like sound. The song didn’t need any more loudness and it sounds perfect for the purpose it is made. The tune could have been more melodious like in the case of Navrai Majhi which had a very cute tune attached to it. Dhol has been used in the mukhda only and the rest of the song has bass filled beats. Boring, the first time. Nice, the second time. Good, the third time.

 

2. Badra Bahaar – Singer: Amit Trivedi;  Music: Amit Trivedi;  Lyrics: Anvita Dutt

The composer clasps the mike here with his vibrator-like vocals and sings in his old recumbent style. He has chosen the brass section to start the song and has come up with Horns but soon showed his typicality by composing a tune which has a poignant effect in hook line. The interlude and the antara has been created in the Dev D way by using a beautiful Sitar poring out a classical raga with the Rock Guitars. Anvita Dutt has written the lyrics in accordance with the composer. She has written a kind of lyrics that are used in Classical Ragas. Boring for many, interesting for some.

 

3. O Gujariya – Singers: Shefali Alvares, Nikhil D’Souza;  Music: Amit Trivedi;  Lyrics: Anvita Dutt

Just as he never gets the loudness part in his Pujabi tracks, his party ones too do not have a very loud sound. The party girl Shefali has sung it amazingly with Nikhil D’Souza aptly supporting him only in the bridge that connects to the mukhda. Instead of using any other instrument in this song, he has fully used the techno sounds which has made the track a good foot tapping one. The tune has a supine texture which could have been more curvy thought it has sounded nice. The chorus seemed to be quite weak here. Arrangement has been perfectly done to overcome the blandly composed tune. All thanks to the singers for making this dull track into a party one.

 

4. Taake Jhanke – Singer: Arijit Singh;  Music: Amit Trivedi;  Lyrics: Anvita Dutt

Recently S-E-L used Arijit Singh in their latest album and now he has also sung an Amit Trivedi’s tune completing his collaboration with almost every big composer leaving only the biggest AR Rahman. It’s a very childlike track as of some children film having a catchy mukhda and hook line with amazing Rock Guitars and the strong backing vocals supporting Arijit as well as the song quite well. Anvita Dutt’s lyrics are cute, nice and good for lip-sync. But Amit is never satisfied with the catchy thing. Since, the tune has become catchy, he has experimented it by changing the scale in a drastic way in the antara and also the mukhda part that comes after the antara. They have been changed so abruptly, that it sounds odd, specially the change after the antara. A lovable sing-along childlike tune.

 

5. Jugni – Singer: Amit Trivedi;  Music: Amit Trivedi;  Lyrics: Anvita Dutt

When I read the name, I though it is again a remake of the folk Punjabi song Jugni. But it turned out to be something better and exciting. Starts with a Banjo shyly supported by Violin orchestra for a very short time and Guitar takes over the responsibility. This track about freedom is written beautifully and has a cliche Amit Trivedi style of composition. The thing is that you can’t blame the tune for not being fresh. The tune is pure and invigorating but it is the sound that has somewhat similar pattern which Amit has used in Udaan. The subah subah subah part is quite similar to ujla savera part in Meethi Boliyaan from Kai Po Che! His voice is perfectly suited for these kind of songs. Here also, the chorus/backing vocals have been used brilliantly. For them who loves Amit Trivedi’s sound.

 

6. Harjaiyaan – Singer: Nandini Srikar;  Music: Amit Trivedi;  Lyrics: Anvita Dutt

Starting with Dotara and also using it in the whole song so well, that makes this composer special and that makes it The song of the soundtrack. Right from the starting, it produces so many amazing sounds at the same time and creates a beautiful engaging vibe all around. A haunting effect has been given as the hook line arrives after which some percussive sounds have been used. The interlude drives you to the rendezvous with the Trumpet and other sounds that force you to pay attention. Backing vocals are again brilliant and should have been credited too. Nandini Srikar’s vocals do not need any instrument to beautify it, be it Bhare Naina or Duaa. Her vocals have that haunting texture that the song needed. This is surely Anvita Dutt’s best work. Even I can’t imagine that she can write with such brilliance. The only song with a good melody. A melody for all. #WelcomeSong

 

7. Kinare – Singer: Mohan Kanan;  Music: Amit Trivedi;  Lyrics: Anvita Dutt

It brings back the memories of Shikaayatein but lacks in the melody department. It’s all about Mohan Kanan. What an impressive singing he has done! His vocals add a new life to the song. His vocals are capable of doing the lead and the backing both. Besides Mohan Kanan, the elements which made this song superb are Sitar and Trumpet. Trumpet is used more in the interlude with quite a cool gesture pushing Sitar from behind at appropriate timing. Near the end, Electric Guitar and Drums take over the place and manage to end it effectually. If you loved Shikaayatein do listen to this.

 

8. Ranjha – Singer: Rupesh Kumar Ram;  Music: Rupesh Kumar Ram;  Lyrics: Raghu Nath

A new singer debuts with this song Rupesh Kumar Ram, singing a song with synth background and zero rhythm effect. The tune is beautifully composed by the singer himselg and is quite simple and catchy. He has quite amazingly turned the texture of this experimental soundtrack and has managed to reveal his own identity in his composition leaving the Amit Trivedi effect that was prevailing in rest of the songs. And that’s what he did right. It’s a peaceful short duration melody with cute tune and simple lyrics. A simplistic end of an experimental soundtrack.

 

Queen is a typical Amit Trivedi album. He has used the his old style of composition and some similar sounds that he has already used in his previous albums. He has decorated the album by using the instruments beautifully. As the sounds he used are not fresh, but the instruments have been used with brilliant experimentation and techniques. The arrangement of backing vocals and the instruments have been done excellently and that’s why it emerges out to be a good competitive album. Otherwise, in spite of all this, the album fells short of good melodies. Harjaiyaan and Ranjha were the only tracks filled with good melody. Through Ranjha, we got to heard a melody from a new composer and that made the soundtrack more refreshing. Rest of them are sounding good just because of the technical efforts done in them. This marks Anvita Dutt’s best work till date. I hope she continues to write such meaningful lyrics. A soundtrack that lacks melody but turns out to be good because of brilliant instrumentation. A soundtrack that is felt to be better and better each time you listen to it.

 

The Final Verdict:  POSSIBLE

The Verdict Order:  DISAGREE < NOT A PROBLEM < OKAY < POSSIBLE < AGREE

 

Next:  Shaadi Ke Side/Effects