Music: A R Rahman

Lyrics: Thamarai

Label: Sony Music

Rating: 3.5/5

Anticipations have been high for A R Rahman's music in Gautham Menon's Vinnaithandi Varuvaya as this is the first Tamil album composed by the maestro after he bagged the Academy awards, Bafta and Golden Globe honours last year. Expectations increase all the more as Thamarai has penned the lyrics for the album.

Vinnaithandi Varuvaya is packed with impressive tracks by the acclaimed musician but is dominated by western influences, which might not go down too well with the audiences. But the album is a sure treat for music lovers looking for experimental music. Here's a walk through the tracks in the album-

Mannipaya - Mannipaya is a melodious track with Shreya Ghoshal and Rahman on the mike. Although you are hooked to flawless vocals of the singers, you can't miss the orchestration which stands out in the track. The perfect blend of music arrangements with the keyboard, piano, flute, chorus and the vocalists would definitely hook music lovers.

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya - The album has a great title track Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya rendered by Karthik. The free flowing guitar in the background blends naturally with the vocals - yet both seem to have their own character. The music and vocals seem to be competing throughout the track, often outdoing each other.

Hossana - This track is bound to have a mass appeal with its contemporary arrangements and rap portions rendered by Blaaze. Vijay Prakash is at his best and the track starts on a melodious note with Prakash, enters the rap- hip hop mode with Blaaze and Prakash again brings back the melody bit. Suzzane D'Mello's humming in the background makes the song even more likable 

Kannukkul Kannai - The violin is a prominent instrument in this track dominated by western music influences. Rahman displays his flair for western music with this track sung brilliantly by Naresh Iyer. But it is a mediocre track and nothing about it grips you even after repeated hearings. This is not the track I would look forward to in the album.

Aaoromale - Passionate singing by Malayalam music director Alphonse Joseph and amazing guitar play make the song grow on you after the first hearing itself. A Malayalam track with a feel of country music, Aaromale is an experimental track by Rahman. The song has a perfect fusion of western and Indian music with violin interludes along with base instrument - guitar 

Alphonse has composed for Malayalam films including Pachamarathanalil, Jalolsavam and is a regular band member of Rex Band, a prolific guitarist and a carnatic classical vocalist.

Anbil Avan - Sung by Devan Ekambaram and Chinmayi, Anbil Avan is a peppy song with nothing exceptional. With some spellbound tracks in the album, Anbil Avan falls much below the expectations 

Omana pene - Benny Dayal does what he is best at in this rhythmic song. Kalyani Menon's voice surprises as, just when you conclude that it is a male song, Menon surfaces beautifully. Another surprise in the track is the traditional nadaswaram towards the end which gives an altogether different essence to the track 

Experimental in nature, the album Vinnaithandi Varuvaya exudes freshness. My pick in the album includes Hossana which would go well with the audiences, Alphonse Joseph owes Rahman for beautiful composition- Aaoromale and Mannipaya.