Kaala Songs - Music Review

Akilan Nagarajan, Reviewpuram

Semma Weightu, sounding like an echo of Kabali's Veera Thurandhara, is a swashbuckling intro track that gives ample time to the wide range of musical elements that are packed into it. The callback to the sounds of the '80s happen to be the best aspect of this cool intro number.

Shankar Mahadevan provides some fun in the very routinely Thanga Sela. Pradeep and Ananthu back him with portions that aren't as interesting as one would expect from such a celebratory number.

Santhosh Narayanan, Yogi B and Arunraja Kamaraj take us to the highest point of the album with Kattravai Pattravai. Every element is heavy in here - be it the blazing instruments, the inspiring lyrics or Yogi B's power-packed vocals - making it an absolute winner of a mass track. Never does it let go of its rousing energy.

Kannammaa is the default Pradeep Kumar number commonly found in Santhosh Narayanan albums. But it also has a peculiar character of its own, and there's no denying it. This is an unpredictable duet track for how it seems to shift moods, bringing in both, a tinge of pathos, and happiness into the mix. The acapella version of the song featuring Ananthu is even better than the original, thus justifying its presence on the soundtrack.

Urimiyai Meetpom's kacheri-esque feel is an uncanny direction for its call-for-justice context.

The Dopeadelicz make their entry in the album with Poraaduvom, a stimulating rap number that has a steady but catchy ring to it. This one's sure to win prominence with its easy recall value. They follow it up with Theruvilakku, which is yet another uplifting track that follows the rap route to deliver its punchlines. Nikkal Nikkal's Kelambu-Kelambu catchphrase, packed with Mumbai lingo, works in favour of an otherwise simplistic kuthu track.

Bottomline

One can say that this album gets to define Santosh Narayanan's aesthetic. There are the electric guitar riffs, the whistles, there's the ever-present pathos, there's Pradeep Kumar, Dhee, and there are also these indie artists he chooses to collaborate with. The fact that this soundscape also resembles Kabali isn't a surprise since the film itself seems to be a spiritual sequel of sorts to that earlier outing of this trio. This may not be a knockout venture altogether, but it surely does have an appeal of it own - something original and impactful enough to carry Ranjith's particular vision.

Rating: 3.5/5