Rockstar Song Review!

Rockstar songs have released...finally!
Here is the verdict!
I had originally written tons more BUT I lost it all and I lost my patience, so forgive the brevity!

1. Phir Se Ud Chala 
Mohit Chauhan    A great way to put this song is...Interesting. It is Haryanvi AND techno; For example, they are speaking in a Haryanvi dialect, but then the techno beats just rush in. It is a feel good song, that has the power to lift one up. There are great drum vibrations, however the melody could use some work. Erratic...but still good!                                                                                                   

2. Jo Bhi Main 
Mohit Chauhan    This song nails the Soft Rock genre. I can literally picture people listening to this track in a Rock concert, slowly swaying to the lyrics. It takes some time to get used to Mohit's "yeah yeah yeaah" but it's welcome. There is also a slight chanting chorus in the back, which I am not sure fits in well, but is adjustable. On the whole, the winning element in this song is undeniably the meaningful lyrics.   

3. Kateya Karun 
Harshdeep Kaur Additional Vocals- Sapna Awasthi   If any of you have seen the song promo, you can pretty much sum up how this song sounds. Punjabi and lots of "balles". I can almost swear that the Punjabi holler in the back is from an Ekta Kapoor serial too! However, this song soon becomes surprisingly, authentically Punjabi! I had no idea that a Tamil music director, A.R. Rehman, would know about folk Punjabi music. There were tumbis, dhols and a whole array of Punjabi instruments. Though that initial flavor soon fades, it is the winning point for this song.

4. Kun FayaKun 
A.R.Rahman, Javed Ali, Mohit Chauhan  When they talk of the Qawwali element in Rockstar, they are referring to this religious extravaganza. Though "Kun Faya Kun" is a line in the Holy Quran, this song has universal appeal. The collaborating vocals of Chauhan and Rahman sound great. Personally, the portion of this song which stands out the most is Chauhan's faster and melodious two lines, they had great background music (guitar) and rhythm. Overall, this song is already a rage and I expect it to get just as popular or even more popular than,  Jodha Akbar's Khwaja Mere Khwaja.

5. Sheher Mein 
Mohit Chauhan, Karthik When I originally heard the thirty second promo for this Filmi number, I was in love. The lyrics reminded me of a 90s Salman Khan movie and the track caught my hear more than any of the others. I still believe the song is extremely catchy... but only to a certain extent. On the side, some man keeps critiquing Mohit's singing, with the most random and ridiculous commentary... it is extremely annoying! It ruins a perfectly melodious number. Obviously, the commentary is inserted for the film's story. However, the song would sound better without the comments on the CD version too. The last one minute symbolizes what I really enjoy about Sheher Mein...style and the sweetest line "dil to tu dete jaana"  

6. Hava Hava - 
Mohit Chauhan
Additional Vocals - Viviane Chaix, Tanvi Shah, Suvi Suresh, Shalini This song is the dictionary definition of exotic. There are gypsies softly singing in the back and there are accordions which ooze Europe. Hava Hava has great guitar rhythms (again) and the chorus in the background can literally make someone get up and dance. 

9. Tum Ko 
Kavita Subamaniam This is the softer, female version of Tum Ho. Though they may have the same general melody, A.R. Rehman does not just re-do this song, but reinvents it. While Tum Ho has more of a universal style, Tum Ko has an Indian flavor that suits it perfectly. Also, Tum Ko is deeper and even more romantic than Tum Ho. Lastly, Kavita Subramanium's voice is made for songs like this. What I loved about this was how she revives her Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam song. Tum Ko is my number one pick in the album. 

10. The Dichotomy of Fame 
Featuring Balesh on Shehnai & Kabuli on Guitars  I am an absolute sucker for instrumentals. Though most of my favorite instrumentals heavily depend on Orchestras, with Violins and Bases, this orchestra-less (mostly) Dichotomy was fantastic. This is an innovative mixture of the Indian Shehnai and the Spanish guitar, both dramatically different instruments that come together and make a beautiful melody. However, there is also a light orchestra in the end, some tablas and even sarangi! Great mix of sounds that is not forced and extremely innovative.

12. Tum Ho 
Mohit Chauhan, Suzanne D'Mello
One word for this - LOVE! This song eerily reminds me of Kaise Mujhe from Ghajini. The name of the song itself, "Tum Ho" already alludes to the mood...romantic. The song commences with one of the greatest tunes by A.R. Rehman, a melodious humming of Mohit Chauhan and a soft singing of "Tum Ho", which was also in the trailer. The song has a trance feel, which would be great for a slow dance and has gorgeous lyrics. Suzanne D'Mello is solely in the background as a Celtic touch, which indirectly indicates that this IS an A.R. Rehman song. 

13. Sadda Haq
Mohit chauhan Featuring Orianthi on Guitars
Choral Vocal Arrangements By Clinton Cerejo Talk about CRAZY! This song travels back and forth from loud flamboyance to soft guitars...from Delhi 6 style music to chanting of the soon-to-be cult line "Sadda Haq Aithe Raq". It has something for everyone! Mark my words, this song will soon become a youth anthem. 

On the whole, the album is a new genre for Hindi Film music. AR Rahman has, in my opinion, made one of the best albums of his career (way better than his Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire). The credit also goes to the talented Mohit Chauhan, who is the voice of Rockstar. He has the most beautiful voice and style. Rockstar is one of the albums that is going to be staying for a LONG time because of its innovative styles.

4/5