Music Review | Rangoon | Vishal Bhardwaj

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Vishal Bhardwaj and Gulzarji together have given some amazing lyrical songs in all of Vishal Bhardwaj's movies. The songs in his movies are not meant for commercial appeal (they often get though). They composed so as to take the story forward. With that thought in mind, let's get into this music album and review it!

Album Release Date: 18th January 2017

 (Click on the song title to listen to it on Saavn)

Bloody Hell
Singer: Sunidhi Chauhan
Lyrics: Gulzar
The English verbiage in the songs from 40s was not that strong as it is right now. That is the reason you can find the lyrics amateurish. Even with broken English, this song is really catchy. The nakhre and adaakat - Sunidhi gives them all. The song describes very risque stuff as per 1940s standards. This song really shines when heard along with the video. Here's the video link: Bloody Hell
Check out the lyrics of this song here: http://www.lyricsmint.com/2017/01/bloody-hell-lyrics-rangoon.html

Singer: Arijit Singh
Lyrics: Gulzar
What makes Arijit Singh songs so irresistible? I am currently having a man crush on his high notes after listening to this song. I'll give partial credit to Vishal Bhardwaj for music and Gulzarji for lyrics too. The song takes it's own sweet time to build up but once it gets going, this song is right there with the likes of Dil Se Re (Dil Se) and Tu Hi Re (Bombay). I would also like to consider this song as guys' clean reply to Zara Zara (RHTDM) and Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai (Jism)
Check out the lyrics of this song here: http://www.lyricsmint.com/2017/01/yeh-ishq-hai-rangoon.html

Singer: Rekha Bhardwaj
Lyrics: Gulzar
This is a spinoff to Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon (Patanga). Okay, I agree the lyrics to this song are a bit cheesy, even by 40s standard. I don't think anybody referred to Hitler in their songs/poems back then. Essentially this is an item number, so I'd recommend you rather judge this song along with the video than just music.
Check out the lyrics of this song here: http://www.lyricsmint.com/2017/01/mere-miyan-gaye-england-rangoon.html

Singer: Sukhwinder Singh, Rekha Bhardwaj, Sunidhi Chauhan, O.S. Arun
Lyrics: Gulzar
The song starts and ends with slow moving coal train synchronizing beats with water drops. Sukhwinder, Rekha and Sunidhi all three have a reason powerful vocals which suppressed O. S. Arun's presence. Even in his solo parts the music was overpowering. The best parts of the song are when all four of them sing the chorus.
Check out the lyrics of this song here: http://www.lyricsmint.com/2017/01/tippa-lyrics-rangoon.html

Singer: Rekha Bhardwaj
Lyrics: Gulzar
This song has a vibe of Darling (7 Khoon Maaf). It also has a strong Spanish influence which means expect a lot of dancing. The lyrics have Hindi and Urdu verses. However, compared to previous magnificent songs, this one didn't manage to create an impact.
Check out the lyrics of this song here: http://www.lyricsmint.com/2017/01/ek-dooni-do-lyrics-rangoon.html

Singer: Arijit Singh
Lyrics: Gulzar
This song has managed to shake up Tadap Tadap (HDDCS) as my favourite sad song. The beauty of this song is that Vishal Bhardwaj just let Arijit Singh's voice in the forefront with very minimal musical arrangements. The only dark spot in this beautiful song is the qawaali style multiple repetition of 'jaaniya ve' verse. Despite that, this song does go in my repeat list.
Check out the lyrics of this song here: http://www.lyricsmint.com/2017/01/alvida-lyrics-rangoon.html

Singer: Sukhwinder Singh, K.K., Kunal Ganjawala, Vishal Bhardwaj
Lyrics: Gulzar
A song sung by four renowned singers in a war movie featuring two of the renowned male actors. This song must be about masculinity. But the name of the song is Julia. Yes, this song is about the female character of Kangana Ranaut called Julia and her bravery, courage and daredevilry. Julia is a stuntwoman. I loved how all four singers took truns to praise her and at times synchornously singing "Oh julia ba ba ba bam, Oh julia ba ba ba bam" with ba ba bam signifying her *drumroll* magnanimous entry.
Check out the lyrics of this song here: http://www.indicine.com/movies/lyrics/julia-lyrics-rangoon/

Singer: Rekha Bhardwaj
Lyrics: Gulzar
The first few lines of the antara have no music and heavy reverb. It creates a great moment for live performance. I believe this song might be misleading for being too stereotypical and cheesy. We'll have to wait for the movie to get some context.
Check out the lyrics of this song here: http://www.lyricsmaya.com/2017/01/chori-chori-lyrics-rangoon.html

Singer: Rekha Bhardwaj
Lyrics: Gulzar
The song grabbed my attention as soon as it started. This is a classical take of the Arijit Singh's version. I really wanted this song to be a complementing song to his version. But unfortunately it failed. Rekha Bhardwaj's voice is so melodious that the choir singing in the song hurt my ears.
Check out the lyrics of this song here: http://lyricsraag.com/yeh-ishq-hai-female-version-lyrics-rangoon-movie/

The music goes from serene and meditational to dramatic. Listen to it carefully to feel it!

Singer: Dominique Cerejo
Lyrics: Lekha Washington
I'd never thought I be listening to melancholic music in Bollywood so soon after Mirzya. The entire song is in English with grand piano, bass guitar and light saxophone playing in the background.
Check out the lyrics of this song here: http://www.indicine.com/movies/lyrics/still-lyrics-rangoon/

Singer: Vivienne Pocha
Lyrics: Lekha Washington
This one is a Jazz song. The song talks from the girl's perspective to forget about what'll happen in future and just kiss her right now. She's feeling alive and is in the groove. The song got be head dancing. 🙌
Check out the lyrics of this song here: http://www.indicine.com/movies/lyrics/shimmy-shake-lyrics-rangoon/

Vishal Bhardwaj's movies are content driven. He had once said that his movies will only have a song if the situation demands. Which means all the songs in this movie too are highly contextual. And that is the very reason I've given so many references to other songs. As a standalone song, it might not be very pleasing to many but as you watch it's music videos and the movie eventually you'll appreciate it better. Nonetheless, here are my favourites from the album:
Bloody Hell
Yeh Ishq Hai
Alvida
Julia

 That is all I have for this album. I hope you found this review useful. If you did then feel free to share it. Let me know you favourite song of the album in the comments below. Until then, Ciao...!

Other Music Review:
Music Review | TVF Humorously Yours (Web Series) | Vaibhav Bundhoo
[FULL ALBUM] Music Review | Raees | Ram Sampath, JAM8

You can also check out my Curious Thoughts where I questioned if musical covers on YouTube (India) are becoming monotonous? and if too many music composers in a movie are good or bad

 YouTube Discovery Series:

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