MUSIC REVIEW: Aasma

Looking at the CD of Rohit Nayyar's Aasma, I was taken aback to see Sajid's name on it. Mercifully, it wasn't Sajid (of Sajid-Wajid fame) but another Sajid, who has composed the music for the film along with Afsar. Let's see what it sounds like...

Ye Pal

Interesting right from the start, Xulfi's vocals and the mellow feel of Ye Pal draw you in. Acoustic guitars, whistling, violins and catchy feelgood parts combined with fresh-sounding lyrics that will rid you of worries everytime you listen to it. Sweet and just the right duration.

Aasma

With a naughty piano intro and female vocals, the title track is as likeable as Ye Pal. This is unique Hindi rock! The drums and bass are exceptionally good on this one, and this is something new for Bollywood music. The lyrics by Shahab Allahabadi are alright on this one, but the CD doesn't say who's doing vocals here. I can recognise Shaan as one of the three people singing. Guitar solos in Hindi songs are a welcome breeze of fresh air, by the way. Not that good when followed by bhangra music, though.

Man Bawra

What an excellent track! Is this Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan? The CD doesn't say... Man Bawra, with tabla by Bipin Panchal and great lyrics by Shahab Allahabadi is outstanding. The word aasma keeps coming up every now and then. The lyrics are so good, they could easily have come from Kailash Kher. Man Bawra is a beautifully woven song... very listenable.

Chalte Rahein

What is this? Bollywood hasn't heard Hindi rock of such quality before. Everything on this soundtrack sounds so fresh, it makes the whole album stand out. There is a sweet guitar solo on Chalte Rahein, followed by vocals by Debojit.

The Remixes

Ye Pal Remix is the song done techo-style, while Aasma Club Mix is exactly what the name says. Man Bawra Lounge Mix is the best sounding track on Aasma's soundtrack... the parts are very dark before the vocals come in, and there is some superb bass-playing throughout.

The sad version of Aasma is sung by Kailash Kher, and there are vocals by Mahalaxmi and another man, too. Kher's vocals stand above everything else here, of course.

VERDICT

Afsar and Sajid have composed music that sounds fresh and unique for Bollywood. Shahab Allahabadi's lyrics are really good, too. Every fan of Hindi music should give the soundtrack of Aasma a few listens. It's quite nice.

RATING: 3/5

Click here to listen to the music of Aasma l MUSIC REVIEW: Dev D