Heavy Rotation: Amit Trivedi, Sneha Khanwalkar, Vishal Bhardwaj & More

I know I should be doing separate reviews for each one of the albums listed below, but... this will have to do for now! So here it is, my favourite songs from the newest Bollywood releases this month...

Pataakha, Naina Banjare (Pataakha) - Vishal Bhardwaj does what he does best, delivering an addictive mix of folk rhythms and contemporary sounds, topped by fantastic singing from Vishal and Arijit Singh.

Sawarne Lage (Mitron) - Tanishk Bagchi roping in Jubin Nautiyal for what's a tropical-themed dance number that almost sounds like a spiritual followup to the duo's previous Telugu outing Adbutham.

Chogada, Akh Lad Jaave, Dholida (Loveyatri) - Tanishk and Jubin strike yet again in Akh Lad Jaave and the results remain just as groovy and seductive (complete with Badshah going self-referential like Badshah ke gaane jaise koi hook!), while Lijo George-Dj Chetas whip up a zany garba in Chogada. Besides, who doesn't like Udit Narayan's voice?

Chaav Laaga (Sui Dhaaga - Made In India) - Rafu singer Ronkini Gupta makes a welcome comeback in this utterly euphonious composition by Anu Malik, accompanied by Papon.

Naina Da Kya Kasoor, Woh Ladki, Aap Se Milkar (Reprise), Theme 01, Theme 02 (AndhaDhun) - For a film that was previously titled Shoot the Piano Player, Amit Trivedi's score for AndhaDhun sure rides on a strong undercurrent of piano that almost pervades through every song. Naina... carries with it an airy lightness that reminds me of English Vinglish's title song, Woh Ladki and Aap Se... are lovely old-world retro tunes beautifully complemented by Arijit Singh and Ayushmann Khurrana on the vocals, and Theme 01 and Theme 02 are just that, captivating piano-based instrumentals.

Daryaa, Grey Walaa Shade, DhayaanChand, Hallaa (Manmarziyaan) - If Dev.D marked Amit Trivedi's musical debut, it's only fitting that he flips everything on its head in his latest association with Anurag Kashyap, a rom-com that's also an inverted love triangle about a mercurial girl caught in the midst of two guys who are polar opposites and all the greys in between. The music too is aptly an arresting hodgepodge, by turns oozing Punjabi earthiness and pulsating electronica in a delightful, spiffy package comprising of irresistible dance numbers and sedate melodies.

Ban Titli (Gratis), Ab Kya Bataun, Nagri Nagri, Bol Ke Lab Azaad Hain (Manto) - It's a pity we don't get to hear Sneha Khanwalkar more often, but Manto is clearly an accomplished piece of art. Be it the oldie-like charming Ban Titli (with Rekha Bhardwaj's vocals fitting like a glove), or the waltz'y Shubha Joshi-sung Ab Kya Bataun, or Nagri Nagri, where Shankar Mahadevan spellbinds with a stellar rendition of the folky melody, or the fervent prayer-like Bol Ke Lab Azaad Hain (Anubrato Ghatak's strings are no less entrancing), the inventive streak that Khanwalkar is well-known for is wholly intact, shining bright like a diamond.

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