Sangeeth Sivan’s upcoming film Click has been called “the most bone-chilling film of 2010”. The film is the story of a photographer whose photographs, when printed, reveal a dark and menacing secret, a secret so terrible it threatens to ruin his entire world.
Despite the heavy involvement of Sharmir Tandon, known for his work with Madhur Bhandarkar in creating soundtracks suited to the overall mood of a film, the soundtrack is Click is not overtly chilling. Instead, the soundtrack features five songs in diverse styles, 2 remixes, and an alternate duet version of one of the songs.
The album opens with Rubayee More Raatoin Ke (Duet), the first of three versions of the song (which has already caused a stir thanks to its use in the promotion for the film) on the soundtrack. The duet, credited to Shamir Tandon, Raaj and Sunidhi Chauhan, starts gently with strumming acoustic guitars and Shamir Tandon’s somewhat unusual voice intertwining with a wailing Raaj (I assume) in the background. Sunidhi Chauhan’s smoky vocals in contrasting verses add a beautiful touch of softness to a track that uses orchestral strings, key changes and synth flourishes among its features to build into a textured, emotionally satisfying song that sets a fantastic opening note for the album.
The second track on the album features Master Saleem, who brings a distinctive Eastern-infused rock flavour to Aameen Suma Aameen Suma. I declare my total bias right now, since Master Saleem’s ‘Tashan Mein’ is one of my all time favourite songs, and ‘Aameen Suma Aameen Suma’ has a similar feel, but this is a standout track. Frenetic rhythms, vocals that are half sung, half spoken, and snaky melodies winding up and down. Fabulous.
Mehroom Hua Na Dil Kabhi is most notable for the way it uses lush yearning strings and a minor key to make the song sound just a little bit…ominous, like something is not quite right in the world. This is very appropriate for a horror movie. Shreya Ghoshal sings in a very high register, adding to the eerie otherworldly feeling of the track. Despite the effective atmosphere created, and soothing counter-vocals supplied by Shaan, this is a track that made the least impression. I think, for me at least, it will be more effective integrated as part of the film, rather than standing alone.
Click Click Click Click changes things up again, bringing Adnan Sami into the fold with a sexy syncopated pop song. With a relentless bouncy bassline, touches of electronica and a smooth as chocolate vocal from Adnan Sami, this track implores you to get up and bounce with its swinging rhythms. That said, with its photo “click” sound effects, I can see this as the backing to a montage of a photographer taking snaps rather than a fantastic dance sequence.
Yaadein Yaad Aati Hain opens with what I can only describe as what sounds like spooky monastic chanting over a shuddering heartbeat-like backing track. Layer upon layer gets added, with Spanish guitar, angular violins, and flutes all making an appearance before some ghostly humming amps up the chill factor. Sunidhi sounds ethereal while the boys (K.K. and Vijay Prakash) keep it restrained for the most part. An atmospheric, spooky track that builds and builds.
The second version of Rubayee to appear on the album removes Sunidhi (and a lot of the extra vocal and instrumental flourishes) from the equation, slowing the tempo slightly to give the song a more nostalgic feel. I get the feeling Shamir Tandon’s voice may be something of an acquired taste, slightly less smooth and with a slightly unusual quality to it – and for those who find that the case, this version of the song may be one to skip. Personally, I grew to like his voice on repeated listening (and anything which only gets better on repeated listening is a definite plus).
The first of the two remixes on the album is the Yaadein remix. Markedly different in pace from the original version, it’s amped up with a pumping electro backing and subtle vocoder effects, but ultimately the remix is lacking the layers and texture of the original track.
The Rubayee remix is deceptive…don’t let it fool you! A slow, contemplative, trance-like intro soon gives way to a thumping backbeat and techno synth-effects…then the back beat drops out, we’re back to a trancey build-up…and then the pounding bass kicks in! One of the more interesting remix tracks I have heard in a long while, this is one that will make it to my late night party playlist.
Despite fairly diverse styles, Click the album comes across as fairly coherent. With only one forgettable track, and several decent standouts – ‘Click Click Click Click’, ‘Aameen Suma Aameen Suma’, ‘Rubayee remix’ – that more than make up for it – this is one album that won’t freak you out and will stand up to repeated listening.
