Music review: Talaash

Last seen performing live on Aamir Khan’s television show, Satyamev Jayate, music composer Ram Sampath is back with the actor’s co-production, Talaash, which also happens to be his first music outing in Bollywood this year.

Film: Talaash
Music: Ram Sampath
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

Last seen performing live on Aamir Khan’s television show, Satyamev Jayate, music composer Ram Sampath is back with the actor’s co-production, Talaash, which also happens to be his first music outing in Bollywood this year.

The soundtrack begins with Muskaanein Jhooti Hain a jazz-swing number that makes the most of singer Suman Sridhar’s (of Hawa Hawai fame) deep vocals. The resonant double bass in the song is pleasing and, even though the composition brings back the sound of the ’50s, thankfully it doesn’t do it in utterly overt tribute-to-the-bygone-era sort of way.

By the time the introductory groove of Jee Le Zaraa begins, you know that the soundtrack will go on in a contemplative space. This song has a haunting riff that stays with you like a sonic aftertaste and the chorus also grows on you. It’s the kind of the song you’d like on your playlist on a long drive. Vishal Dadlani’s voice sounds warm and honest.

Next in line is Jiya Lage Na. A bandish-like melody on an EDM track? No thank you. While we loved Sona Mohapatra’s characteristic vocals, the song — boasting of a jungle groove reminiscent of the ’90s — as a whole doesn’t impress much.

Hona Hai Kya sung by Ram himself, follows up the electronica fervour. The composer lends his vocals to next number too, Lakh Duniya Kahe. It follows almost all tenets of a standard rock ballad and features some touching lyrics by Javed Akhtar (Lakh duniya kahe tum nahin ho, tum yahin ho, tum yahin ho). The vocal harmonies in the song are notable.

Sampath’s Bollywood projects may be few and far between, but the Delhi Belly (2011) composer’s strength — his versatility — shines through most of his work. Talaash could have been packaged better — there’s too much electronica in it — but it’s worth a listen.

What we like
Sampath’s versatility

What we don’t like
The EDM tracks