My 5 Favorite Albums of Pritam | World Music Day

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Not long back, there was a musical phenomenon having its roots in Bollywood : ‘The Pritam Song’. Yes, one could tell in no time if a song is composed by Pritam, just by listening to its initial beats. With his signature rock tunes and catchy beats turning chartbusters in no time, he has dominated the genre ‘Bollywood Music’ for more than a decade, right from his breakthrough album ‘Dhoom’.

Not that the dominance has faded now, but certainly his style has diversified for the better, and ‘The Pritam Song’ phenomenon is a happy sweet memory of my good old days. Compositions for all ages and moods, an encore version of a song in same voice, a remix version, same song recorded in voice of different singers – all these have been a celebrated feat. of his albums and no, the listener in me has never minded any of the same. My heart still sings along as all these tracks rule my playlist. So, on World Music Day, listening to his songs just another time, I, in a chronological order, list my favorite 5 “original” albums by Pritam :

1. Barfi! (2012)

As I write of this, the iconic whistle of its title track does echo in my mind. The second collaboration of the Pritam – Anurag Basu after their last ‘Life In a…Metro’, this soundtrack delivers more than one would expect. The feel’s old school throughout, and suits the narrative of the movie, simultaneously calming the listener’s soul.

Ironically, the story and emotions of our mute Barfi’s life are seamlessly told through the songs. His early life is narrated in a fun way in the title track. ‘Main kya karoon’ is the portrayal of his first romance, conveyed through the lines penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya. His bittersweet relation with Jhilmil is told using the happy songs ‘Kyon’ and ‘Aashiyaan’, and ‘Phir le aaya dil’ oozes the grief. Sheer brilliance!

2. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)

This one has Pritam composing first time for a Dharma movie feat. my favorite on-screen pair Ranbir – Deepika, and the soundtrack gets right all the ingredients required for the perfect album of a romantic comedy.

The experience of listening to its songs is melodiously electrifying, that fits the lively vibe of the movie. ‘Balam pichkari’ is the holi anthem, ‘Kabira’ mends the broken heart, ‘Ilahi’ sounds like a lively concert getting one pack his bags, ‘Subhanallah’ makes you fall for it and your main. Even the most gibberish lyrics of ‘Badtameez dil’ sound so right just because of the song’s tempo. A true ruler of charts in disguise.

3. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016)

The soundtrack to play on loop. The piano prelude of the title track opens the album, instantly soothing my heart and captivating my mind with the heartwarming voice of the ever-dependable Arijit Singh. Further, Pritam injects some energy melodiously with electric guitar and drum beats in song ‘Bulleya’ that has a somewhat Sufi touch to it, courtesy to its lyrics.

But as the melancholic feel of the album grows on the listener, the infectiously energetic and unavoidable Dharma dance songs are served under ‘Cutiepie’ and ‘The breakup song’. The original calm gets restored towards the end of the album in the voice of Arijit and Ash King, who sing to the rhythmic tunes of ‘Alizeh’. Primarily, what stands out as the song to be remembered forever from this album is ‘Channa mereya’, with Arijit infusing all his soul into it, constantly getting me to lament for my non – existent lost love!

4. Jagga Jasoos (2017)

A musical adventure’s album that boasts of some 29 songs composed by Pritam is enticing enough for any listener to set on this audio treat of a journey. The musically winning streak of Pritam – Anurag Basu combination continued with this album, maintaining the flavor of fun supported by the slow melodies, mostly in the voice of Arijit Singh.

Besides the obvious ‘Ulla ka pattha’ song that has Amitabh Bhattacharya penning the misery our heart injects in our lives, another one to get me addicted to it is ‘Khaana khaake’ – again a lyrical and musical brilliance by the lyricist – composer duo. It appeals to me for the Shakespearean touch in its lyrics.
“All the world’s a stage….”, remember?

5. Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017)

A collection of melodies in diversity. A movie that intends to take its viewer across the European streets has its album well supporting the intent. Imtiaz movies always have a good soundtrack, and this one is no different, thanks to the variety offered through the distinct compositions and voices, singing the lyrics penned by Irshad Kamil.

The high decibel tunes of ‘Radha’, the peppy old disco beats of ‘Beech beech mein’, the signature Imtiaz travelogue in ‘Safar’, the “Welcome to mustard fields” vibe of ‘Butterfly’, the quintessential romance in ‘Hawayein’, the “Let’s dance to Punjabi tunes” song ‘Raula’, the addictive vanity in ‘Ghar’, the melodiously haunting ‘Jee Ve Sohneya’, the western jazz offered through ‘Yaadon mein’, the rock tunes in ‘Parinda’, and the groovy EDM in ‘Phurr’ – this album has it all. A complete package.

Special Mentions : Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009) ,Cocktail (2012), Dangal (2016).
P.S: If you did miss your favorite Gangster (2004), Woh Lamhe (2006), Life In a…Metro(2007), or Jab We Met (2007) in the list above, it’s because these albums feat. songs that aren’t original. Also, Ranbir and Pritam make a great actor – composer duo, just saying.

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