Delhi 6: Music Review

Golden Globe. Oscar Nominations. A Rahman album�after all these. What do you expect? More and more wow-awe moments, right? Yes! That's exactly what you get! And as free offers (as always with Rahman), you get moments where you cannot but gape at the man and sometimes even wonder if you are blessed to be born in his era.

Delhi-6 is vintage Rahman. The album has everything that characterizes his music – attitude, panache, passion, classical strokes, hip-hop-rap-cocktails, Arabian exotica, lazy-husky-lounge-like-tunes, serious-shocking-teasing-rhythms and much more.

'Masakali' is contagious. Carefree. Like the lazy flutter of a bird's wings. Casual, flippant, mirthful. Painted with nothing but blithe shades. Prasoon Joshi's lyrics soar high on the metaphor of a freedom-loving pigeon, at the same time drawing parallels with Sonam Kapoor's pet Bittu. Mohit Chauhan's crispy voice is simply charming. You fall for it instantly. The moment you hear it, you know it is a number that will be played again and again. You hunt for the 'Repeat' button even at the expense of the whole album. But remembering that it is Rahman you are listening to, you continue. And as always with ARR, a surprise is waiting for you in the next track.

'Arziyan' is very distant from the flirtatious, colorful and jolly-ful 'Masakali'.�Drenched in Sufism, the harmonium and tabla take centre-stage the next 9 minutes and put you in a state of meditative ecstasy. Though the harmonium may haunt young ears initially, the poignancy of the song takes over and prevails over you. You are entranced in its tune and feel comfortable in it.

To relieve you of the Arziyan trance comes 'Delhi 6'. A splash of rock, hip hop and rap drenched in tonnes of attitude. Fast, husky, vodka-coated voices of Blaaze, Benny, Vivianne Pocha, Tanvi and Claire emerge and rock you. Before you realize it, you are tapping your feet and nodding your heads. The number�could be played at important places in the film and can be as significant to the film as 'Paathshala' in Rang De Basanti.

Next comes the Master himself. Rahman and his 'Rehna Tu'. Like sorcery, it weaves you into its rhythm, its eluding ways and its deluding mysteries. Soulful, it springs straight from the heart of a smitten lover. Ideal to be played to the most special person in your life. Joshi's pen scales the heights of magical romance and the madness called love.

'Hey Kaala Bandar' is for the prankster in us. Full of contemporary hilarious lingo, the song is for carefree camaraderie. African-esque and folk-like, this is a 'nagging' tune that will not let you go easily. It follows you like the bandar. Best for clubs and cafes.

'Dir Gira Dafatan' is the song that has to follow Rehna Tu (if you are singing to your love). Joshi's lines blend perfectly with the spell-binding music of Rahman. Ash King and Chinmayee conjure up colorful imagery: sun-drenched, mellifluous and splendorous love. Indeed one of the mesmerizing numbers of the album.

'Genda Phool' starts off rustically with bird calls and folksy notes. Before you think this Rahman is at his folksy best, it leaps into western notes and unveils its snazzy, chatty and naughty nature. Rekha Bhradwaj's husky voice accompanied by Shraddha Pandit's and Sujata Majumudar's rustic croons is timeless.

'Bhor Bhaye' is a feast for classical music lovers. Based on raag Gujri Todi, it is followed by aarti 'Tumre Bhavan Mein', both of which�entrance you into a prayerful trance. The last of all is a mere 50 seconds 'Noor', Amitabh Bachchan's eloquent and soulful lines on God's omnipresent ways.

On the whole, Delhi-6 is prolific. Rahman takes us to many landscapes – from qawaali lands to rustic tracks to hiphop clubs. The album is indeed a true paean to the variety and diversity of the city.