Light, feel good music in ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ (Music Review)

Film: “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara”

Music Directors: Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa

Lyricist: Javed Akhtar

Singers: Joi Barua, Suraj Jagan, Shankar Mahadevan, Vishal Dadlani, Ehsaan Noorani, Gulraj Singh, Alyssa Mendonsa, Mohit Chauhan, Farhan Akhtar, Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol, Maria Del Mar Fernandez, Dominique Cerejo, Clinton Cerejo and Loy Mendonca

Rating: ***

When it’s Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, the expectations from the music score are usually high and like always, the trio has managed to fulfill what was required out of them in the upcoming film “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara”. The music of the film is nothing out of the box, yet it is light, hummable and has a feel good factor.

The music album contains nine songs.

It opens with “Dil dhadakne do” that has already climbed popularity charts and is being liked by listeners. Crooned by Shankar Mahadevan, Suraj Jagan and Joi Barua, the song starts with a bang and makes its presence felt. The chorus is foot-tapping and the part that creates maximum interest. The guitar is prominent. A good start to the album.

Next in line is a multiple singer song “Ik junoon (Paint it red)” that has Shankar Mahadevan, Vishal Dadlani, Ehsaan Noorani, Alyssa Mendonsa and Gulraj Singh behind the mike. With a combination of English and Hindi lyrics, the fast-paced youthful song is nothing out of the ordinary. It is neither bad nor brilliant.

It also has a remixed version, which is equally average.

Then comes in a song with a raw and fresh feel “Khabon ke parindey” with vocals by Alyssa Mendonsa and Mohit Chauhan. The hummable mush melody is an all and all Alyssa song since Mohit enters the scene only after more than two-and-a-half minutes. However, even though he makes a brief presence, Mohit’s vocals add an edge and some kind of substance to the song. It’s a track you would like to hear in loop.

Then the actors take the mantle of singing with “Senorita”, which has been sung by Abhay Deol, Hrithik Roshan and Farhan Akhtar with ample support from Maria Del Mar Fernandez, who sings the Spanish lines in the song. A fun number, “Senorita” is catchy with Spanish influences and is a dance number. It is lively and energetic and adds colour to the album. The experiments paid off.

“Senorita” also has a remixed version.

“Der lagi lekin” is a moderately paced track, which sounds like more of an unplugged version. It has vocals by Shankar Mahadevan and slowly grows on you. It’s a sweet, simple song that picks pace towards the end.

Up next is “Sooraj ki baahon mein” by Loy Mendonsa, Dominique Cerejo and Clinton Cerejo, which is another high power track. It starts with lyrics and then music follows in. With variations in vocals, the song is worth a hear.

Finally Farhan Akhtar steps in with a philosophical monologue titled “Toh zinda ho tum”. With slight music, this almost 100-seconds narration is poetic.

On the whole, the music of “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” is a good mix of Bollywood sounds and external influences. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have stuck to their signature style and have churned out a decent score.