I Hate Luv Storys – Music Review
EXPECTATIONS
When
it
comes
to
a
film
from
the
house
of
Karan
Johar,
you
know
that
the
music
here
would
be
big.
And
big
doesn't
necessarily
mean
opulent
here,
as
has
been
the
case
with
Kabhi
Khushi
Kabhie
Gham
or
Kabhi
Alvidaa
Naa
Kehna.
It
also
means
big
in
terms
of
class,
setting,
treatment
and
overall
appeal,
as
was
the
case
in
Karan's
productions
(which
were
helmed
by
other
directors)
like
Dostana,
Kurbaan
or
Kaal.
These
films
may
not
have
entered
the
'shaava
shaava' zone
but
had
their
own
place
in
the
sun
while
fitting
in
perfectly
right
as
per
the
genre.
Same
is
expected
from
I
Hate
Luv
Storys
as
well
which
is
a
romcom
with
music
by
Vishal-Shekhar
and
lyrics
by
Kumaar,
Anvita
Dutt
and
Vishal
Dadlani.
MUSIC
With
the
name
Vishal
Dadlani
flashing
on
the
cards
as
the
lead
singer
of
the
opening
'Jab
Mila
Tu',
one
gets
the
feeling
that
the
composer
is
fast
becoming
a
prolific
singer
as
well.
Is
that
a
reason
to
complain?
Not
at
all
if
the
end
result
of
'Jab
Mila
Tu'
is
any
indication.
A
young
and
happening
track
which
has
the
potential
to
get
popular
amongst
the
campus
crowds,
this
Anvita
Dutt
track
belongs
to
the
kind
of
soundtrack
that
goes
along
with
many
a
Hollywood
romcom.
A
sweet
sounding
rhythmic
track,
it
does
touch
upon
the
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
zone,
especially
the
kind
of
music
that
was
heard
in
Wake
Up
Sid.
What follows next is a beautiful number 'Bin Tere' which is certainly the highlight of IHLS. This time around Vishal Dadlani pitches in as a lyricist and along with Shekhar Ravjiani, he makes sure that the song stays with you long after the album is through. How do the composers do that? Well, they present as many as three versions of the song right from start till the end of the album. First to come is a duet by Shafqat Amanat Ali and Sunidhi Chauhan. A pensive track that thankfully doesn't turn into a 'sad outing' despite its mood, 'Bin Tere' has a classy feel to it and should make a better impact when seen with the film.
A song about a couple which is longing to be together again after a period of separation, 'Bin Tere' later sees a reprise version where Shekhar Ravjiani comes behind the mike for a solo. With just a guitar playing in the background, this well laid out musical piece sees some good lyrics by Kumaar who ensures that this version stands out as well. There is one complain point for Shekhar here - Why does he sing so sparsely? Given the clarity in his voice and the right notes that he hits, he deserves to record his own voice more often. Finally comes the 'remix version' of this song which is designed for a club outing. Yet again, Shafqat Amanat Ali and Sunidhi Chauhan get together and one doesn't mind hearing the song all over again.
After a mushy and a sad track, there is time for a peppy outing with Vishal Dadlani letting himself loose (as a singer) for the title song 'I Hate Luv Storys'. Written by Kumaar, this youthful number (which deserved a remix version for itself but surprisingly doesn't find any) has a Vishal-Shekhar stamp to it. A first of its kinds track if one goes by the theme and the lyrics, 'I Hate Luv Storys' is an instant hit number which should see audience coming to it in the first hearing itself.
Rajasthani folk flavour kick starts 'Bahara' which is written by Kumaar. While Sona Mohapatra comes up with her folksy rendition, it is Shreya Ghoshal who takes the song through an out and out Bollywood route. While this part of the song does work, the fusion doesn't with the folk part seemingly more like an intrusion rather than an integral part of the romantic outing. However, there is respite just round the corner with the 'chill version' turning out to be highly effective. This time around, it is Rahat Fateh Ali Khan who goes solo for the song and ensures that he does such a fantastic job that one ignores the female version that had just preceded it. One wonders why this version wasn't placed earlier in the album?
Last to come is 'Sadka' which has a surprise in store. Suraj Jagan, who has been known for his rock and high adrenalin tracks (with an exception of 'Give Me Some Sunshine' - 3 Idiots), is pleasantly restrained in 'Sadka' where he has Mahalaxmi Iyer for company. Watch out for Anvita Dutt's lyrics here which are indeed different from the routine. A romantic track that has a grand feel to it, 'Sadka' belongs to the kind of romantic outings that can be expected in Karan Johar films.
OVERALL
The
biggest
positive
about
the
music
of
IHLS
is
the
uniformity
that
it
has
from
start
till
the
finish.
There
are
no
major
ups
or
downs
as
well
as
no
striking
highlights
or
lowlights.
What
works
is
the
fact
that
the
album
has
a
constant
theme
to
it
which
remains
within
boundaries
without
meandering
into
different
directions.
For
those
who
love
to
hear
those
youthful
melodious
tracks
composed
by
Vishal-Shekhar,
I
Hate
Luv
Storys
is
the
one
for
them.
OUR
PICK(S)
'Bin
Tere
-
Reprise',
'Jab
Mila
Tu',
'I
Hate
Luv
Storys',
'Bahara
-
Chill
Version'