Prince Music Review
EXPECTATIONS
There
are
decent
expectations
from
the
music
of
Prince.
Since
this
is
a
film
from
the
house
of
TIPS,
certainly
quality
is
expected
from
the
soundtrack.
Moreover,
the
man
at
the
helm
of
affairs
is
debutant
director
Kookie
Gulati
who
has
many
a
music
video
to
his
credit.
It
can
well
be
expected
that
for
his
first
full
length
feature
film,
he
would
have
at
least
a
couple
of
chartbuster
songs
up
his
sleeve.
However,
since
the
film
has
taken
a
little
time
in
reaching
towards
the
finishing
line,
there
is
a
slight
apprehensive
factor
that
sets
in.
Nevertheless,
one
goes
on
to
play
the
soundtrack
of
Prince
which
is
made
of
an
astonishing
16
tracks,
half
of
them
being
remixes.
Sachin
Gupta
composes
while
Sameer
writes.
MUSIC
It's
a
techno
start
for
the
album
with
'O
Mere
Khuda'
giving
a
high
energy
start
to
Prince,
something
which
was
pretty
much
required
for
the
film
belonging
to
action
genre.
Atif
Aslam,
who
has
been
known
for
singing
romantic
melodious
songs,
finds
a
new
space
for
himself
as
composer
Sachin
Gupta
puts
him
in
a
situation
where
he
has
to
replicate
an
effect
similar
to
that
of
the
title
song
of
'Dum'.
The
common
factor
here?
Vivek
Oberoi.
While
the
opening
lines
of
'O
Mere
Khuda'
are
a
cracker,
especially
with
the
accompanying
sound
of
'Aa
Bhi
Ja
Sanam',
the
'antara'
is
a
little
loose.
Still,
one
doesn't
mind
the
overall
effort
primarily
because
of
the
out
and
out
Western
setting
of
the
song
which
appears
again
in
the
'Dance
Mix'
version.
Later the song is heard again as 'Aa Bhi Ja Sanam' which basically has the same tune as 'O Mere Khuda' but is paced on a slightly slower note. This time around the song has a love setting to it and one can sense that Atif feels a little more in the 'zone' here! With a lounge feel to it, 'Aa Bhi Ja Sanam' makes for a good hear as well and so does the 'Dance Mix' version which is obviously more upbeat.
Remember the chartbuster track 'Ho Jaata Hai Kaise Pyaar' from Sanjay Dutt and Manisha Koirala starrer Yalgaar? A couple of lines from the middle of the song are used as a basis to kick start 'Tere Liye' which comes on its own within a matter of seconds and turns out to be a smashing love song that gets the hook on in the very first listening. Atif Aslam and Shreya Ghoshal make for a good pair here as they keep the techno mood of the album on. Despite the Western setting that 'Tere Liye' carries, there is an touch of melody to the proceedings that ensures that if coupled with good visuals (which should be the case), 'Tere Liye' will succeed in keeping the audience's attention on.
Such is the confidence of the makers in 'Tere Liye' that the song appears in as many as four versions. After the original, the next to come is the 'Dance Mix' version which has a club feel to it. The 'Hip Hop mix' which comes later is softer in appeal, has a sensual feel to it and is a much better bargain. The best is reserved though for the 'unplugged version' which impresses primarily due to its unadulterated presentation. With just a guitar in the background, composer Sachin Gupta also brings himself behind the mike and comes up with a good solo version. Now this one can be given a repeat hearing.
A theme song centred on the protagonist who is struggling to find his own identity, 'Kaun Hoon Main' has a rock setting to it and takes some time before it leaves an impression for the listener. Of course the sad setting of the track as well as an inherent situational appeal means that 'Kaun Hoon Main' is not the next chartbuster in the making. Still, the Western arrangements to the song helps it from turning into a complete pushover as 'Kaun Hoon Main' (which later appears in a 'Dance Mix' and 'Lounge Mix' version) holds on reasonably well and ensures that it goes well with the narrative.
Prince gets an item number for itself in the shape of 'Jiyara Jiyara' which has the kind of lyrics that Sameer has been living with for decades now. Though there is nothing novel about the words that are handed over to Alisha Chinoy, credit to her and composer Sachin Gupta who save the number from turning into a complete disappointment. Together, they give a Western treatment to the song (and later do a good fusion in the 'Bhangra Mix' version), hence making it sound contemporary at the least. Expect soaring temperatures when the song is played on screen, especially due to the way Alisha Chinoy goes about singing this number with Hard Kaur coming up with her rap inputs.
Monali Thakur gets a solo for herself in the form of 'Ishq Mein' which keeps the upbeat mood of the album intact. There is a sense of seduction prevalent right through this song which doesn't boast of any path breaking lyrics but yet again finds a place for itself courtesy the composer and the singer. A love song where the female protagonist is craving for attention, 'Ishq Mein' gels well with the overall mood of the album and turns out to be a decent inclusion.
Later arrives the 'Prince - Mega Mix' which is indeed a mega version considering its running length of 7 minutes. A dance floor track that has to be put on blazing volume to be enjoyed, it is an amalgamation of number of songs from the album and hence sees Atif Aslam, Shreya Ghoshal, Alisha Chinoy and Hard Kaur coming together all over again. It would be interesting to see if a music video is built around 'Prince - Mega Mix'. Prince concludes with a 1 minute theme track titled 'Prince - Theme' which plays its role of 'rounding up the album' quite well. A high energy close to an overall high energy album.
OVERALL
As
stated
earlier,
the
USP
of
Prince
is
its
high
energy.
Regardless
of
the
lyrics
or
the
heard
before
feel
of
a
couple
of
songs,
Prince
works
because
young
composer
Sachin
Gupta
ensures
that
there
is
an
upbeat
mood
to
each
and
every
song,
whether
it
is
the
theme
track,
sad
track,
love
song
or
an
item
number.
He
never
lets
the
tempo
slow
down
for
Prince
which
goes
well
with
the
thriller
mood
of
the
film.
No,
Prince
is
not
an
album
which
would
be
heard
six
months
down
the
line.
However,
when
heard
with
the
narrative
of
the
film,
Prince
should
do
well
for
the
moment.
OUR
PICK(S)
Tere
Liye,
Aa
Bhi
Ja
Sanam,
O
Mere
Khuda