Amar Akbar Anthony – Music Review (Malayalam Soundtrack)

Songs at the end of the soundtrack (link via @7hariqcpamar akbar anthony poster)

The biggest selling point of Premamennaal is the fact that it has Amar Akbar Anthony’s leading men Prithviraj, Indrajith and Jayasurya (and Kalabhavan Shajohn) doing the vocals. Despite a proven singing track record of at least two of the singers, the song features an annoying level of vocal processing. Add to that the heard-before sort of tune and a hotchpotch arrangement, and we have a middling song. In fact the song sounds better in its reprise version sung by the lyricist-composer (also movie’s director) Nadirshah, thanks to a marked reduction in the autotune element. Manjaada seems to referencing some past songs (I am guessing the visuals should make this clearer); there is the bit sung by Vijay Yesudas that reminds a little of Ilayaraja’s Maane Madhurakkarimbe both lyrically and musically; while the Hindi movie title-ridden second segment sung by Afsal could be a nod to CID Moosa’s Maine Pyaar Kiya or the track that originally inspired that song, Mere Jeevan Saathi from Ek Duje Ke Liye. And finally there is a Tamil bit sung by Samad which I could not link to any song. Not a great track, but should be an entertaining watch for this tribute aspect, if it is indeed that.

Composer Nadirshah gets behind the mic again for the poem-like Pranayam, a song that is a soothing listen with its pleasant (mohanam raga based) tune, the simple arrangement that features some lovely flute. But a song that also evokes strong memories of what could still be arguably considered the most mainstream Malayalam poem ever, Prof V Madhusoodhanan Nair’s Naaraanathu Bhraandhan! Not sure if this too is meant as a tribute. The soundtrack’s best is yet another simple track sung by Baby Sreya called Yenno Njaanente. The choice of a child singer works perfectly for the endearing folksy song, and Sreya does a fine job of singing Baappu Vaavaad’s lines.

Amar Akbar Anthony. Two good songs out of five and one more that might work with the visuals. This is still possibly the best soundtrack that Nadirshah has delivered as a composer.

Music Aloud Rating: 6/10

Top Recos: Yenno Njaanente, Pranayam

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