2018 in Music: Top 60 Songs in Malayalam
Having listened to around 300 film soundtracks in 2018 spanning across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and the occasional Marathi and Bengali, it's this list I have struggled the most to come up with. It turned out to be much bigger than I expected, but what a fantastic year it has been for Malayalam music!
Kannum Kannum, Poo Poothuvo, En Mizhi Poovil, Ore Nila Ore Veyil, Paalnila Thaarame - Rahul Raj's mesmerising melodies, evocative of Ilaiyaraaja and utterly splendorous.
Jeevamshamayi - Kailas Menon does a Vidyasagar and it's marvellous.
Meenukal Vannupoy, Thullimazha, Viralthumpum - Ouseppachan embraces contemporary sounds for the euphonious melodies sung by Adarsh Abraham, Amal Antony, Franco and Sayanora Philip.
Poomuthole, Karineela Kannulla Pennu, Neelaravil - Ranjin Raj becomes another composer to channel Vidyasagar, and the results are just as uniformly excellent.
Kanne Thaai Malare, Rasathi, Aanandhame, Endhe Kanna, Kripaakari Devi, Etho Vazhitharayil, Mizhi Mizhi - It's hard to beat Shaan Rahman and his unique brand of serene melodies.
Maanathe Chandirane Pole - Mohan Sithara's son Vishnu comes to his own with a beautiful romantic ballad.
Pulari Mazhagal, Neeye Neeye - In what's Mujeeb Majeed's full-fledged composing debut, the man concocts an album packed with gossamer melodies and haunting mood pieces that make for a bewitching listen.
Panimathiye - Deepak Dev proves his melodic touch is still intact with this wonderfully serene composition.
Ranam, Ponnumkasavinte - Ranam sees Jakes Bejoy conceiving one of the most riveting scores this year, and the unexpected Tamil rap and classical diversion only adds to its charm.
Swapnam Sargam - Prashant Pillai conjures a lovely qawwali, backed by Hesham Abdul Wahab, Shabeer Ali and Preeti Pillai.
Chakka Paattu, Mounam - Singer Sayanora Philip turns composer, and colour me impressed. Eagerly looking forward as to what she comes up with next.
En Anpe - The masterly combination of Sharreth and Bombay Jayashri, enough said!
Madhuvilum Madhuramai - Mellifluous, in Gopi Sundar style.
Neela Neela Mizhikalo, Marayatholi Kannal, Kaattil Ee Jaalakam - While M. Jayachandran's wizardry in the arrangements cannot be denied, it's Vijay Yesudas who completely steals the show with his sterling rendition.
Aararo/Aarorum - Raghu Dixit's noteworthy Malayalam debut, and it's a winner all the way.
Cold Night - Bijibal was surprisingly missing in action, except for a lone outing in Oru Kaatil Oru Paykappal, but this carol-like stunner more than makes up for it.
Kaattin Saarangi - Vishal Bhardwaj makes a return to Mollywood after 20 years (his last outing was Daya, another film directed by Venu), and he ropes Benny Dayal for what's a breezy, sublime melody.
Raveguru (Chalamelara) - Kinavalli is truly one of the most interesting multi-composer soundtrack to hit Malayalam, but this rework of Tyagaraja kriti by Mangal Suvarnan is spectacular.
Aararum Kaanathe - Reshma Menon's rendition is flawless in this ambient tune crafted by Sree Sai Surendran.
Ninne Thodum Poonilavu - M. K. Arjunan maashu makes an excellent return, with Dr. Reshmi Madhu's splendid vocals for company.
Mruthu Mandahasam - K. S. Chithra is simply astonishing in this pared down melody by Arackal Nandakumar.
Thoo Manju - Hariprasad is the third composer to go for a Vidyasagar-like aesthetic, and it's bliss!
Paravayai, Trip Song (Payunne Mele) - Dreamy harmonies from Premam-fame Rajesh Murugesan, and phenomenally rendered by Pradeep Kumar, Kalyani Nair and Benny Dayal.
Panjara Kanavulla, Thodu Thodu - Hesham Abdul Wahab has sung a lot for Shaan Rahman, and in his latest turn as a composer, his inspirations are evident, and at times even better!
Kannadi - Athul Anand's lilting melody gets its fitting match in singer Suchith Suresan.
Neela Shalabhame - Jecin George's instantly likeable semi-classical fusion, taken to a whole new level by Sachin Warrier and Gayathri Suresh.
Nin Kannil - Srinivas and Sujatha Mohan back together in a simple yet ear-pleasing melody from Midhun Narayanan.
Mazha, Tharam - Sreejith Edavana's mellifluous blend of folk and classical sounds.
Varum Varum, Ee Raavil, Nilapakshi, Kaadhale, Rosapoo Malatharam, Puthiyoru Pathayil - I am done picking the best songs of Sushin Shyam. Why, you ask? Can't you see it's so tough?
Mizhi Niranju - Astounding melody from John P. Varkey with a subtle strain of melancholy, with pitch-perfect vocals from Amal Antony and Roshni Suresh.
Dhrithangapulakithan - Gopi Sundar's frequent collaborator Prakash Alex makes his composing debut, and this foot-tapping dance number sung by Dulquer Salmaan is catchy as the clap.
Uyirin Nadhiye, Kiliye - The last Malayalam soundtrack of 2017 still remains one of my favourites, and Rex Vijayan, you rock!
Kannum Kannum, Poo Poothuvo, En Mizhi Poovil, Ore Nila Ore Veyil, Paalnila Thaarame - Rahul Raj's mesmerising melodies, evocative of Ilaiyaraaja and utterly splendorous.
Jeevamshamayi - Kailas Menon does a Vidyasagar and it's marvellous.
Meenukal Vannupoy, Thullimazha, Viralthumpum - Ouseppachan embraces contemporary sounds for the euphonious melodies sung by Adarsh Abraham, Amal Antony, Franco and Sayanora Philip.
Poomuthole, Karineela Kannulla Pennu, Neelaravil - Ranjin Raj becomes another composer to channel Vidyasagar, and the results are just as uniformly excellent.
Kanne Thaai Malare, Rasathi, Aanandhame, Endhe Kanna, Kripaakari Devi, Etho Vazhitharayil, Mizhi Mizhi - It's hard to beat Shaan Rahman and his unique brand of serene melodies.
Maanathe Chandirane Pole - Mohan Sithara's son Vishnu comes to his own with a beautiful romantic ballad.
Pulari Mazhagal, Neeye Neeye - In what's Mujeeb Majeed's full-fledged composing debut, the man concocts an album packed with gossamer melodies and haunting mood pieces that make for a bewitching listen.
Panimathiye - Deepak Dev proves his melodic touch is still intact with this wonderfully serene composition.
Ranam, Ponnumkasavinte - Ranam sees Jakes Bejoy conceiving one of the most riveting scores this year, and the unexpected Tamil rap and classical diversion only adds to its charm.
Swapnam Sargam - Prashant Pillai conjures a lovely qawwali, backed by Hesham Abdul Wahab, Shabeer Ali and Preeti Pillai.
Chakka Paattu, Mounam - Singer Sayanora Philip turns composer, and colour me impressed. Eagerly looking forward as to what she comes up with next.
En Anpe - The masterly combination of Sharreth and Bombay Jayashri, enough said!
Madhuvilum Madhuramai - Mellifluous, in Gopi Sundar style.
Neela Neela Mizhikalo, Marayatholi Kannal, Kaattil Ee Jaalakam - While M. Jayachandran's wizardry in the arrangements cannot be denied, it's Vijay Yesudas who completely steals the show with his sterling rendition.
Aararo/Aarorum - Raghu Dixit's noteworthy Malayalam debut, and it's a winner all the way.
Cold Night - Bijibal was surprisingly missing in action, except for a lone outing in Oru Kaatil Oru Paykappal, but this carol-like stunner more than makes up for it.
Kaattin Saarangi - Vishal Bhardwaj makes a return to Mollywood after 20 years (his last outing was Daya, another film directed by Venu), and he ropes Benny Dayal for what's a breezy, sublime melody.
Raveguru (Chalamelara) - Kinavalli is truly one of the most interesting multi-composer soundtrack to hit Malayalam, but this rework of Tyagaraja kriti by Mangal Suvarnan is spectacular.
Aararum Kaanathe - Reshma Menon's rendition is flawless in this ambient tune crafted by Sree Sai Surendran.
Ninne Thodum Poonilavu - M. K. Arjunan maashu makes an excellent return, with Dr. Reshmi Madhu's splendid vocals for company.
Mruthu Mandahasam - K. S. Chithra is simply astonishing in this pared down melody by Arackal Nandakumar.
Thoo Manju - Hariprasad is the third composer to go for a Vidyasagar-like aesthetic, and it's bliss!
Paravayai, Trip Song (Payunne Mele) - Dreamy harmonies from Premam-fame Rajesh Murugesan, and phenomenally rendered by Pradeep Kumar, Kalyani Nair and Benny Dayal.
Panjara Kanavulla, Thodu Thodu - Hesham Abdul Wahab has sung a lot for Shaan Rahman, and in his latest turn as a composer, his inspirations are evident, and at times even better!
Kannadi - Athul Anand's lilting melody gets its fitting match in singer Suchith Suresan.
Neela Shalabhame - Jecin George's instantly likeable semi-classical fusion, taken to a whole new level by Sachin Warrier and Gayathri Suresh.
Nin Kannil - Srinivas and Sujatha Mohan back together in a simple yet ear-pleasing melody from Midhun Narayanan.
Mazha, Tharam - Sreejith Edavana's mellifluous blend of folk and classical sounds.
Varum Varum, Ee Raavil, Nilapakshi, Kaadhale, Rosapoo Malatharam, Puthiyoru Pathayil - I am done picking the best songs of Sushin Shyam. Why, you ask? Can't you see it's so tough?
Mizhi Niranju - Astounding melody from John P. Varkey with a subtle strain of melancholy, with pitch-perfect vocals from Amal Antony and Roshni Suresh.
Dhrithangapulakithan - Gopi Sundar's frequent collaborator Prakash Alex makes his composing debut, and this foot-tapping dance number sung by Dulquer Salmaan is catchy as the clap.
Uyirin Nadhiye, Kiliye - The last Malayalam soundtrack of 2017 still remains one of my favourites, and Rex Vijayan, you rock!
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