Music Briefs: Argentina Fans Kaattoorkadavu, Chambal, Mahira, Mr. & Ms. Rowdy, Padde Huli, Sonchiriya, Soothrakkaran, Striker, The Gambinos & Yaarige Yaaruntu

A quick take on the latest music from Vishal Bhardwaj, Jakes Bejoy, Judah Sandhy, Bharath BJ and more...

Sonchiriya - In an otherwise disappointedly bland soundtrack, Sonchiraiya, the title song (appearing in two versions), emerges a standout, a Rekha Bhardwaj's show as much as her better half's, who spellbinds with an arrangement that's captivating and hypnotic. But it's Arijit Singh who wins you over with a beautiful rendition of the gentle acoustic melody Ruan Ruan.

Mr. & Ms. Rowdy - Arunvijay weaves a serene melody in Puthiya Vazhi, with Najim Arshad immensely adding to its exquisite charm.

Argentina Fans Kaattoorkadavu - Hey Madhuchandrike, if nothing, is a true blue Gopi Sundar composition that you can spot a mile away, but when it's Vijay Yesudas singing it, you can't help but fall in love with it. The chenda melam and cymbals that embellish Kaathu Kaathe give it a refreshing spin, and in Eenthola, Pranavam Sasi delivers well on the vocal front, as is Sundar who dresses up the melody with peppy rhythmic folk percussion.

The Gambinos - A theme-heavy soundtrack from Jakes Bejoy, but no less interesting. Abhay Jodhpurkar, fresh from Mere Naam Tu (Zero), is the heart and soul of Labella, a jazzy tune adorned with subtle Latinate melodic accents, even as the four instrumentals (each a minute long) carry a hint of intrigue and melancholy, which is to be expected given the film is about a family that deals with crime and drugs.

Soothrakkaran - Mazha Mazha is pleasant rhythmic folk, Nadhiyin is mellifluous ditty made prettier by Vijay Yesudas, and Pachapoompattu is a fine showcase of P. Jayachandran's vocals, but Wichu Balamurali really comes through shining in the serene devotional pieces Kelkunnille and Ponmulam, both sung by G. Sreerenjini. Balamurali makes a very fine debut with Soothrakkaran.

Chambal - Sung by Abhinandan Mahishale and Shreya Sundar Iyer, Sanchari Hrudaya is every bit the breezy melody you would expect from Judah Sandhy, topped by a lovely spinkle of Indian classical elements.

Mahira - Theera Mouna is bedecked by a lilting acoustic base that gets pitch-perfect accompaniment in Deepak Doddera, while Yendu Helada is quite a convincing fusion led effortlessly by Nilima Rao. Naanu Nanena has Pooja. B. S. doing a spectacular job of singing the strings-laden tune, with Gajanan Sabahit chipping in with a gorgeous flute bit towards the outro. Nannella Kanasu offers more of the guitar'y goodness, and Nikita Bharadwaj's laidback singing propels the song to an altogether whole new level. An impressive outing from the Manipal-based musical duo Nilima Rao & Rakesh U P.

Padde Huli - Ajaneesh Loknath's score for Padde Huli is driven by a rotating ensemble of manic folk numbers, but it isn't until more than 23 minutes in, we get to taste what's a heartfelt melody in Kalabeda Kolabeda, with Narayan Sharma hitting the right notes with his rendition. Heli Hogu Kaarana is another highlight, with Loknath giving the classical-tinged song a Latinate/rock spin, topped by Siddharth Mahadevan's punchy vocals. The rest is disappointingly blasé.

Yaarige Yaaruntu - Bharath BJ's Himada Raashiya is a pretty melody, no two ways about it, and Armaan Malik and Supriya Lohith, for their part, lend fantastic vocal support. It's unfortunate, then, the soundtrack never sustains the opening high, the rest of the songs settling into a familiar, predictable rhythm. Chiravaada Preethi is okay, I guess?

Striker - Bharath BJ again, and this time it's a subdued, melodious affair, with Vijay Prakash (Ninnade Abhiyana) and Supriya Lohith providing the much-needed emotional heft to the pensive tunes.

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