Music Review: ‘Golmaal Again’
The fourth instalment of the Golmaal series is here with ‘Golmaal Again’ (2017). Another Rohit Shetty mad comedy with Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade and many more with the addition of Tabu and Parineeti Chopra in this fourth chapter for the big Diwali release. With a twist of ghosts thrown in this comedy outing, the fit for Diwali timing seems a bit odd. But going by previous three Golmaal projects this could be another slapstick comic outing that will have the masses in splits who care for such humour. Music is usually a style statement full of cheese for a film in this genre with a song or two that leads the album. Kumaar is the consistent link across all the songs on this album while the music is a mix of songs by Amaal Mallik, S Thaman and DJ Chetas.
Tamil music man S Thaman takes a retake at reviving Golmaal (Title Track) with a new set of lyrics from Kumaar. His take is quite interesting as he gives it a great street party beat that stands between the South Indian and Mumbai music influences. The track is bright in its appeal with trumpets, electronic synths set to a peppy beat. He cleverly uses the original Golmaal hooks and loops bringing back the original but on a whole this is clearly a new track and unique in its own way and not a remake. Brijesh Shandilya and Aditi Singh Sharma add a lot of energy to the song with their fun vocals. There is a lot of attack in their delivery apt for the song but limited vocal range to it giving the song what it really needs. Overall it is a fun party song that lacks the grandeur or x factor to make it a stand out success in a crowded party music scene.
Amaal Mallik delivers Maine Tujhko Dekha next that is a remake of his uncle Anu Malik’s hit Neend Churai Meri from ‘Ishq’ (1997). It would be interesting to see Devgn in this song as he killed it with his early attempts at dancing making it super funny. 20 years later it would be funny to see if his dance moves have improved at all and how he helps Mallik deliver a hit with this revival of a 90s hit. Musically he has done some interesting bits with programming the beats and electronic synths to make it current. The break beat structure gives it an urban vibe that is refreshing to hear. The new lyrics work really well with the old chorus and hats off to Kumaar for creating that perfect blend. The song is still romantic, a little cheesy but uber cool & catchy at the same time. The big transition of the song is going from Udit Narayan, Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik and Kavita Krishnamurthy to Neeraj Shridhar and Sukriti Kakar. Shidhar’s voice clearly works well for Devgn & Kakar delivers a chirpy vocal for Chopra, both their vocals work well but maybe not the best of them and rather subdued. Overall the song is addictive and catchy as the original which will work well in its favour, but if this was a new production in itself then it wouldn’t be worth much attention.
Itna Sannata Kyun Hai is a high tempo clubby dance-floor filler by DJ Chetas. The most attractive element of the song on first listen are the vocals of Amit Mishra that are a class apart with tons of energy, oomph while keeping perfect harmony with the music and the vocals of Aditi Singh Sharma. She does a good job too with taking a sensual avatar compared to her delivery on the title track. The music is really well arranged by Chetas with a lot of variance programmed to a very powerful beat capable of shaking up the club walls. The song has good character too thanks to the lyrics and a very groovy punch line. A powerful and pure club dance track has not made its way into Bollywood in some time now and this is one of those that remind one of Sooraj Dooba Hai vibe. It is a good track overall and its low star value might hold it back but hopefully it will get the success it deserves.
Hum Nahi Sudhrenge is a subtle dance song that is more about the vocals and lyrics than the music. Mallik has designed it in a way to make it a club anthem for the end of the party moments when friends groups dont’ want the party to end in their tipsy states and get over emotional with friendly affection pouring out. Kumaar’s lyrics lead the song with good meaningful stanzas that are all about unmeasured and non-judging friendship that shouldn’t change over the years. They are very well written and classy although the the push line doesn’t work too well with the rest of the song. Armaan Malik takes on the vocal & does a good job with it giving it emotion and fun at the same time. Mallik’s music is rather disappointing as it lacks progression in arrangement and a unique musical element that will make it stand out & memorable which is possibly the let down. But overall thanks to the friendship appeal of the song it should get reasonable success.
FINAL WORD
The soundtrack of ‘Golmaal Again’ is exactly what is expected. It is fun and cheeky but a lot more mature than the previous Golmaal projects. It is not cheap like a lot of the songs in the previous films which is refreshing to hear. But it still stays true to its roots delivering energy and excitement in this comic adventure. Lyrics are good in this movie thanks to Kumaar being a common thread throughout. Amaal Mallik doesn’t impress a lot on the music with two of his songs while S Thaman and DJ Chetas do a good job on their respective songs. Amit Mishra and Aditi Singh Sharma are most impressive on vocals while others do a decent job too. Itna Sannata Kyun Hai, Golmaal (Title Track) are the top two songs on the album while Maine Tujhko Dekha and Hum Nahi Sudhrenge are decent songs to listen too. With just four songs the album doesn’t have a lot of depth and variety but it is crisp and to the point on delivering what it should. This album won’t thrill or pleasantly surprise you but it is a decent listen to have them floating around in the mix on your playlists.
BizAsiaLive.com Rating – 7/10
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.