Barfi - Music Review

Music by: Pritam

The album starts with the splendid whisling and accordian tunes in Ala Barfi. Mohit Chauhan is just refreshing which is surprising since he seems to reinvent himself with each song. Most notably is the composition by Pritam which is light on arrangement but enjoyable since the loops transition very well into each other. As for Swanand Kirke's version of the song, the composition is relatively the same but not as enjoyable as Swanand's voice is a bit baritone. It simply doesn't live up to the magic created by Mohit. I think if Mohit didn't have a version of the song, Swanand's version would've been applauded but Mohit's version is far better in comparison.

Main Kya Karoon starts rather rapidly with Nikhil wasting no time in delivering the lyrics. Another song which is light on arrangement but this time it is the solo instrumentals which stand out. Yes Nikhil is great but he seems too reserved. The repetition in the chorus is catchy and the various instruments in the background is fun to listen and decipher.

Kyon takes a little longer to draw you in as it sounds fitting with the past two songs. The crescendo with the violins change that really quickly and then Sunidhi Chauhan's voice solidify that. The chiming to concludes the song really completes what seems to be a fairy tale of a song.

Shreya Ghoshal introduction in Aashiyan is WOW, incredible. She sounds ethereal in her chorus portion. The pairing with Nikhil is very impressive and even more is Pritam's composition. The flutes, the cellos, the tympani all are incredible.

Saawali Si Raat starts off dream like with high pitched instrumentals. The song is very slow and soft in the instruments. This may be a song better appreciated on screen even though the musicality is great somewhat like a Vishal Bhardwaj composition for KAMINEY.

Phir Le Aya Dil features Rekha Bhardwaj which is a major surprise for a Pritam album. The song is like a ghazal with the tablas. The western instruments in the background fits seemingly perfect as they transition from each other very well. Rekha sounds at her best as usual so there is nothing to critique there but the song wonderful. The only concern is that it may get lost in the crowd of current songs. Arjit's version of the song sounds outstanding somewhat like Sonu Nigam and Hariharan. This version is much more refined as a ghazal and doesn't venture so much into the western orchestration as Rekha's. And as I write that there is a piano solo haha. Anyways, I still prefer Rekha's version as I found hers to be a perfect mix of Western and Indian orchestration. If you like very classical Indian then Arjit's version may be for you.

Overall, BARFI has a European feel with a great old time charm by Pritam.

Ala Barfi! - Mohit Chauhan 8/10
Main Kya Karoon - Nikhil Paul George 8/10
Kyon - Papon, Sunidhi Chauhan 7/10
Aashiyan - Nikhil Paul George, Shreya Ghoshal 8/10
Saawali Si Raat - Arijit Singh 5/10
Phir Le Aya Dil - Rekha Bhardwaj 6/10

Overall: 7/10