Label: T-Series,

Music and Lyrics: Piyush Mishra,

Rating: 4.5/5,

Before I go on to say about what the album offers, I'll talk about what it doesn't offer – it doesn't have any remixes. Now, breathe. There are eight tracks with different moods laden with rich poetry, melody and vocals. With minimal arrangements, most tracks have a classical oeuvre. So what makes this album stand out? The fact that it doesn't try too hard, makes it stand out. To add, it doesn't really have to appeal to all, it's music for the thinking mind.

The artiste list on this album is unique. The list includes, some �known' and soon �to-be known' names like Piyush Mishra (before Gulaal, he was better known as a playwright and lyricist), Swanand Kirkire (a singer and lyricist, of Bawra Mann dekhne chala ek sapna fame), Shilpa Rao (Ek lau and many others), Rahul Ram (Indian Ocean front man) and Rekha Bharadwaj (an expert with adapting multiple dialects, Genda Phool from Delhi 6 was her recent hit).

The lyrical masterpiece

It's not easy to understand at first, but the lyrics do reflect common social tendencies metaphorically. There are strong statements wisely woven to spark your ears and mind.

For instance, in Beedo by Rekha Bhardwaj the lyrics go Beeda Duji Thaali ka lage Bada masale dar hinting at the obvious inclination towards things that belong to others. The most funny, and thought provoking is probably Ranaji – again delivered by the dialect expert Rekha Bharadwaj. The lyrics go, Ranaji mare ghusse mein aiye, aisso balkhaye, agiya barsaye, ghabraye maro chain – jaise dur des ke tower mein ghus jaaye aeroplane! – better leave the rest for your imagination. It's hard to believe that 9/11 is making you shake your head in amusement  Duniya and Sheher are the other two lyrical masterpieces – make sure you hear them closely.

Keep it simple

Duniya, Raat Ke Musafir and Aisi Sazaa are songs with minimalistic arrangements. With more emphasis on vocals, the melody is supported by thought provoking lyrics by Mishra.

Starting with Duniya, the song is classically rich and a lyrical masterpiece. Mishra's deep baritone vocals are easily noticeable. Raat Ke Musafir offers the same flavour with Rahul Ram on the vocals. It's a beauty - the song is done with just a six-string and probably has been done in one take…which gives it a raw feel – even the bad notes are left as they are. Awesome. Another hard hitting and �keep it simple' song is Aisi Sazaa by Shilpa Rao. Needless to say, Shilpa nails this one. The song speaks of doom; the sound designer has done a brilliant job with just the right quantity of effects.

Hard Hitter's

Aarambh and Yaara Maula are the hard hitters. Mishra takes the mike for the song Aarambh – a satirical take on war. With all the instruments like conchs, dhols and everything else, the song reminds you of war (of a mythological kind). Isn't is strange, even wars back then had musical elements?

Yaara Maula by Aushim and Rahul Ram is a signature Indian Ocean. The song builds up slowly and explodes just while you are settling down. The lyrics are spiritual, and fade out with a question mark – haven't you read that a song is never completed but abandoned? It's the same.

After listening to the music of Gulaal, any musician worth his instrument will tell you that Piyush Mishra is a man ripe with ideas and emotions. Gulaal's music entirely focuses on the basics – minimal arrangements, emphasis on vocals, lyrics and of course experimentation with �melody'. It's dark, but you'll find a torch if you think.