Music by: Amit Trivedi
Dhak Dhuk starts beautifully with chimes and flutes followed by the soft strumming of the guitar. The mood of the song is quiet and fits perfectly with Amit Trivedi's vocals. The song reminds me a little of a mix of a few DEV D songs but that may just be the Amit Trivedi template. The similarities are limited as this song stands on its as a nicely composed and sung rendition fitting for a relaxing listen.
Manhattan starts with the sounds of cars driving by with dialogues by Sridevi and a couple other characters. I don't really like when dialogue is in a song so if you are the same please skip the first 30 seconds of the song. As for the song, it sounds a bit disco-ish but still remains a lounge listen and not a dance-able disco song. At first I didn't like Bianca Gomes' pronunciation of Manhattan but I grew into liking it when she started describing the stores in New York. Clinton Cerejo is splendid.
The cello and the suspenseful beeping sounds as well as the constant soft bass in Gustakh Dil gives a feeling of sadness. Since I don't know Hindi I'm assuming it's an emotional song but please comment and let me know if I am correct. The song breaks into a guitar ballad with a soft touch of the 80s in the background sounds. The song does really strike me based on this first instance so it may take time to grow on me and you as well.
Navrai Majhi starts with singing of an older woman followed by the Punjabi melody heard in the theatrical trailer. Sunidhi Chauhan sounds good and the song has a variety of interludes of choruses and changes in instruments but as its core it is a basic template by Amit Trivedi.
There are two versions of the title song, one by Shilpa Rao and the other by Amit Trivedi. Both versions are same in terms of composition but I prefer Shilpa Rao's version as her voice contrast very well with the chorus line singing as well as the peppy upbeat nature of the song. So definitlye props to Amit Trivedi for perfectly picking Shilpa Rao to sing the song.
Overall, ENGLISH VINGLISH is a good album by Amit Trivedi with some variety in melodies.
Dhak Dhuk - Amit Trivedi 8/10
Manhattan - Clinton Cerejo, Bianca Gomes 7/10
Gustakh Dil - Shilpa Rao 5/10
Navrai Majhi - Sunidhi Chauhan, Swanand Kirkire, Neelambari 7/10
English Vinglish (Female) - Shilpa Rao 8/10
English Vinglish (Male) - Amit Trivedi
Overall: 7.0/10
