Aisha - Music Review

EXPECTATIONS
Peppy, frothy and quite chic - this is what one expects from the music of Aisha which is one of the few chic flicks that are coming out of Bollywood now. Since youth is the flavour of the season, one expects the music of Aisha to be carrying urban sensibilities that one expects from the film as well. Add to the fact that the film has an unusual combination of composer Amit Trivedi and lyricist Javed Akhtar and you know for sure that there is something really exciting round the corner.

MUSIC
The moment you hear the title song of Aisha, you know that the album is going to have a really interesting and engaging journey from this point on. An upmarket number with urban groove written all over it, 'Aisha' is on the same lines as 'Kabhi Kabhi Aditi' [Jaane tu Ya Jaane Naa] as far as the setting is concerned. A beautiful number which has Amit Trivedi coming behind the mike as well along with Nakash Aziz and Ash King, 'Aisha' has chartbuster written all over it. More than the fact that it has an appeal to become popular in days to come, the very factor that goes in its favour is it's loveable appeal. This one can't be missed and is a win up the sleeves for Amit Trivedi.

Well, if one would have thought that Aisha will settle down after a rocking opening number then that is not quite the case. That's because Amit Trivedi comes up with an instant chartbuster which is all set to be highly popular, especially in North India. 'Gal Mitthi Mitthi' is a new age Punjabi track and despite the folk flavour embedded into it, this Tochi Raina sung track is such a foot tapping track that it is tough not to fall in love with it in the very first listening. Rest assured, this one would have been an instant pick by the makers of Aisha once Trivedi would have played this one up. A 'dhol mix' version which follows next is just what the producer would have ordered her and it only adds more fun to the album.

There is a strong innocence factor in Trivedi's music as evidenced in his earlier soundtracks and the same can be evidenced in 'Sham' as well. Just the kind of track you want to sing with a bunch of friends around a bonfire, 'Sham' is third straight terrific number in a row which has the potential to become hugely popular if the film does well at the box office. While Trivedi leads the show behind the mike once again, he has Neuman Pinto and Nikhil D'Souza for company who make sure that the youth factor stays on to be consistent right through the album.

There is some fun soon after with a 50s style 'Behke Behke' that has Anushka Manchanda leading from the front with support from Raman Mahadevan and Samrat Kaushal. Anushka is one girl who has seldom disappointed in any of her outings so far and 'Behke Behke' proves that given the right setting and platform, her unique voice can do wonders. With a celebration feel to it with an air of seduction all around, 'Behke Behke' has a good tempo to it and should look good on screen.

Anusha Mani, in her limited Bollywood engagements so far, has always made a mark. Whether it is 'Dil Mein Jaagi' [Dev D] or 'Lazy Lamhe' [Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic], her voice has been noticed for it's uniqueness. Same is the case with 'Lehrein' as well which is truly an Anusha show all the way. Even though the song (with supporting vocals from Neuman Pinto and Nikhil D'Souza) is pensive and slow moving, it's the melody which helps 'Lehren' stand out. A track about happiness keeping some distance away and things not quite gone the way they were expected, this new age love song with a sad theme to it is extremely easy on ears and deserves a repeat hearing for itself. Surprisingly there is also a 'remix version' of the song but thankfully, it neither deviates the song from it's theme nor does it see an overdose of added beats or other arrangements that would have otherwise killed an excellent impact that 'Lehrein' had created.

Aisha ends on a peppy note though with Anushka Manchanda taking centre-stage all over again. Now this is what one terms as a killer track because there is so much fun, celebration and girlie factor that comes together in 'By The Way' that it is difficult not to jive to the beats here. High on pace, spirit, attitude and rendition, 'By The Way' (with support from Neuman Pinto) is the kind of number that one would love to listen to in a campus rock outing or a drive down the highway. Bring it on!

OVERALL
Aisha springs a pleasant surprise. Of course one did expect a good score here but what one gets to hear is complete album that is new age, different and yet so appealing to youth. There is not a single song which doesn't work and each one tries to better the other. Ever since the release of music of Dev D, one wondered if composer Amit Trivedi would ever manage to come up with a wholesome album like that. He did compose for a few films in between and some of his work did impress. However, Aisha will clearly stand out as his best score since Dev D. Go for it and play it on with friends!

OUR PICK(S)
Suno Aisha, Gal Mitthi Mitthi, By The Way, Lehrein.