Although it’s the darker films that win praise from critics, audiences always appreciate a light-hearted entertainer like Jaane Kaha Se Aayi Hai! The out-of-this-world romantic comedy stars Riteish Deshmukh as an ordinary Earth boy and Jacqueline Fernandez as the alien girl who loves him. Music directors Sajid-Wajid’s last major release was the epic period piece Veer but for Jaane Kaha Se Aayi Hai, the popular duo have conjured up a little candy floss magic.
The album opens with a solid Western pop fusion tune sung by Rashid Ali. Keh Do Zara ambles along at an easy pace and even though Sajid-Wajid manage to cram in everything from Spanish guitar to whistling to a huge variety of synthesized strings and woodwinds, the song never feels crowded – just lush. And Rashid, who sang ‘Kabi Kabi Aditi’ on the Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na soundtrack, not only nails the hook but he adds just the right amount of cool to his vocals to keep things from getting overwrought. The remix isn’t anything special and can be safely avoided.
Nacha Main sounds like the Sajid-Wajid we all fell in love with back in the Partner days. Sonu Niigaam sings “nacha main” like it’s serious business, but don’t let that fool you – this bhangra flavored foot stomper may not be very original but it is a lot of fun. Sajid-Wajid keep the tempo pumping!
A woozy trumpet sounds the opening to the title track, Jaane Kaha Se Aayi Hai. Sung by Shaan, the track veers between the kind of peppy rock’n’roll found in songs like ‘Gori Gori’ and self-parodying interludes that this reviewer assumes will be picturized on magical alien hijinx. Shaan isn’t quite as light on the beat as he should be but on the whole, the track is fairly enjoyable. The remix turns the soft rock feel of the original a bit harder – adding live crowd sounds, a punchy drum kit, and some wailing guitars. Shaan seems much more at home on the remix, which is also a fun listen.
Finally, a romantic ballad sung by Sonu Niigaam and Sunidhi Chauhan closes things out. Koi Rok Bhi Lo is a sappy delight. Sajid-Wajid go all out for this cotton candy confection, using harp, an angelic chorus, syrupy strings, and soft chimes to fully give the impression that the listener is floating amongst the clouds with Sunidhi and Sonu as they sing.
Sajid-Wajid have never been known for subtlety and Jaane Kaha Se Aayi Hai is a perfect example of what they do well. The entire album is an over-the-top pop delight. Listeners who take pleasure in gratuitous harp solos and ‘Soni de Nakre’ style dance tunes will find much to enjoy but certainly there is no real substance here with, perhaps, the exception of ‘Keh Do Zara’.
