Rockstar - music review

Label: T-Series
Artistes: Various
Music Director: AR Rahman
Lyricist: Irshad Kamil
After the huge success of Taal in 1999, Mozart of Madras AR Rahman has again churned magic in the musically oriented entertainer ‘Rockstar’ which brings many commercially bankable names in the credits. Teaming up for the first time with Imtiaz Ali the duo have bundled some melodious tunes.
Even though the title Rockstar gives impression of rock and punk styled tracks, the virtuoso has introduced some new sounds like Sufi rock and flamenco rather than going for most obvious rock. The album is packed with 14 original tracks that bring out the fusion of east and west.
The album starts with soulful tune of ‘Phir Se Ud Chala’ backed by harmonious choir fading in and out of the track with the strums of guitar. The lyrics penned by Irshad Kamil blends well with the tunes and vocals of Mohit Chauhan. The music varies towards the end as track enters in remix territory which does justice to the energetic lyrics.
The acoustic track ‘Jo Bhi Main’ opens up with Mohit Chauhan interacting with audience through catchy phrase ‘Ya-ya-ya’. The composition is hypnotic with the soft rock sound accompanied by electric guitar and bass line throughout the track and it succeeds in producing  sound of the authentic live concert.
Punjabi infused ‘Katiya Karun’ is an energetic commercial ditty padded with catchy chorus ‘tinga-ling-tinga-linga’ which integrates lively tumbhi alongside dholak beat. The huskier tone of Harshdeep Kaur further infuses the lively track with pleasure and joy.
In the next melody Rahman brings his famous Sufiana Kalam element teamed with Qawwali ‘Kun Faya Kun’ a divine vocal by Javed Ali and Mohit Chauhan. The song kicks off with regular Sufi element but promptly varies with inclusion of Chauhan’s vocals without making it monotonous. The devotional Sufi song is one of the longest running eight minutes track and instantly reminds the famous Sufi track ‘Khwaja mere Khwaja’ from Jodha Akbar.
The album introduces a fun track ‘Sheher Mein’ tinting the artistic side of Rahman. The track takes place in recording studio with music producer correcting Mohit Chauhan and Karthik in the interludes. The song merges with the progressive keyboard beats to the traditional Indian instruments after every interlude.
The versatility of the composer is further explored through tango meets Gypsy theme song ‘Hawa Hawa’ with refreshing tune of Spanish guitar. The track also includes vocals of Viviane Chaix, Tanvi Shah, Suvi Suresh and Shalini.
Coming up next is the musical themes ‘Tango for Taj’ and ‘The dichotomy of fame’. ‘Tango for Taj’ is a situational interlude with the fusion of raga and violin. The second harmony ‘The dichotomy of fame’ is another fusion between shehnai and guitar played by Balesh and Kabuli. The inclusion of two instrumentals doesn’t quite relate to the theme of the movie.
The album further looses it touch with the sad romantic bollywood song ‘Aur ho’ the track opens up with the unearthly background vocals of Alma Ferovic. Working on the same line is another soft rock love song ‘Tum ho,’ but unlike the previous track the lyrics and music jams well together. The duet vocal by Mohit Chauhan and Suzanne D’Mello’s thrives in building the romantic aura of the songs.
The next track ‘Tum Ko’ marks the come back of Kavita Subamaniam (Krishnamurthy) on Bollywood front. The vocals brings backs the harmonious melody of 80s and 90s that interspersed with the classical beats of tabla. Coming back after a long hiatous, the singer once again succeeds in winning listener’s heart.

Courtesy:radioandmusic.com