Music Review: Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (Telugu)

Composer(s): S. Thaman
Listen to the songs online here: JioSaavn

In a way, Sketch has been S. Thaman's second innings. Since then, he's only gotten better and better, ditching his over-reliance on auto-tune, that, while foot-tapping, felt like he was more focused on ticking sonic boxes and keeping with the times than offering a snapshot of his evolving craft. Now, after blockbuster turns in Chal Mohan Ranga, Aravindha Sametha, and Mr. Majnu, and some forgettable duds later, Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo shows what an in-form Thaman is capable of, proving once again that even out-and-out entertainers don't need to be so drab and dull — looking at you Sarileru Neekevvaru!

Samajavaragamana, in two versions sung by Sid Sriram and Shreya Ghoshal respectively, is a pretty melody and grandiose pop tune with guitar and mandolin parts, and a catchy hook that's downright triumphal, infusing its classical-leaning soundbed with modern pop stylings to fantastic effect. Rahul Nambiar and Singapore-based rapper Lady Kash bring the swag to OMG Daddy, which rides on a contemporary trap setting punctuated by gorgeous string interludes arranged and composed by Ramesh Vinayakam, even as Buttabomma takes a folk route that's as much a showcase for Armaan Malik's euphonious rendition as it's for Siddhanth's whistle and vocal percussion.

In the title song, a minute-long Carnatic music prelude from Priya Sisters segues into a groovy, rock-flavoured concoction in a dizzying chaotic rush that's aptly complemented by Sri Krishna's punchy vocals and a profusion of anthemic riffs and dramatic strings. But it's Ramuloo Ramulaa that emerges the soundtrack's highpoint — an addictive melody tinged with folk elements that features Anurag Kulkarni and Satyavathi Rathod at the top of their game. In Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, S. Thaman weaves a rich tapestry of sounds with highly engaging results.

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