Releasing on Friday, June 19th is Let’s Dance, aka Sirf Ek Bahana Chahiye, directed by Aarif Sheikh and starring newcomer Gayatri Patel. The film, as the title suggests, is all about dance and has some of the biggest choreographers lending their steps to make her and the cast shine. The music is composed by Vipin Mishra with the background score by Tarali Sharma, and has lyrics by Prateek Bhardwaj, Ashish Khazanchi, Vipin Dhyani, Vipin Mishra, and Virag Mishra. With the vocal talents of Sunidhi Chauhan, Suzie Q, Krishna, Mohit Chauhan, Pervez Quadir, Kirti Sagathia, Vipin Mishra and rap vocals by Marianne and Joy, the album is chock full of talent. So does the soundtrack live up to the names on that list? Yes and no.
The title song Let’s Dance is sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and Kirti Saathia. It has some street flavor throughout that has a nice beat, but nothing amazing. I think the problem with the song is that it is a mixture of music for different styles of choreography and so it does not seem to fit listening to it, however it might when seen in the context of the film with Longinus’ choreography. Each part is good – I really liked the slower jazz section, and another fab part was the Indian flavored version of the refrain by Kirti Saathia. However, there are some problems as well. I really wish they had taken Sunidhi Chauhan down one notch on the scale and had her sing in a lower register. Her voice does not match the tone and many times the backup music drowns out her voice; it wasn’t really a song for her. There are also a lot of extra synth beats thrown in here and there that distract quite a bit and make it even harder to listen to. I would say, save this one ’til after you have seen the film – it might play together, and better.
The Club version with Suzie Q is really a much better track, because it is sung on a lower register and is a straight dance beat. I really like it, and think the choreography will jam! Listen to this one! The Let’s Dance – Remix by DJ Kunaal Sharma again has Sunidhi singing too high a vocal, but the music and mix is good and includes the Kriti Saathia section, so listen if you want a version without the style change-ups!
Taare Todh Ke La’s vocals are provided by Sunidhi Chauhan and Vipin Mishra with the addition of a rap vocal by Marianne and Joy. Sunidhi sounds much better on this track, her tone is very pretty. It does not match well to the beat of the music but it works-ish. It is Vipin Mishra that sounds really great on the track – this is a song for his voice. He gives the roughness that the music requires. The rap vocal by Marianne and Joy is very good, but I wish it was just them without the mixing of their voices, it would have been much more effective. However, an English rap that works in a Hindi song with fantastic lyrics gets 2 thumbs up. The male rap section is also very good. Overall, it has got a great backbeat, but again they put way too many sounds into one song, so that takes away from it. I like the groove of the song, and say check it out!
With a the title of the film Let’s Dance you expect lots of dance tracks, and Sansanati is one but with a rock edge to it. With a very fast tempo to the music and vocal phrasing; Sunidhi rocks it out! The song has got some really great harmony. Again, one wonders why the composer felt like he had to add so many different opposing styles in a song, especially when the beginning of this song is fantastic and great to listen to, but the addition of the male slower stanza of Sansanti by Pervez Quadir just did not fit. Plus, the odd electronica beats thrown in makes you forget the original feel of the song. I am interested to see what the dance sequence will be to this number. By the end, you feel like you have listened to at least 4 different songs, and that is not a good feeling from a listening stand point. However, it may be the perfect match for the film. This one will have to be a wait and watch.
Tumse Iqraar is a nice romantic bollyballad sung most excellently by Kirti Saathia with backup vocals by Suzie Q. It is has some wonderful phrasing both in music and lyrics. It has some odd notes, but they go by the wayside into the loveliness of the song. Originally you think, okay, overall this is a melodious simple song that was nice to listen to. But then, you get a surprise near the end, and the strength of Saathia’s outstanding voice is really shown. It takes the song up from something that is just simple to a strong ballad that shines. Great song!
Jaana Hai is another ballad, but this one has more of a modern feel to it. Very alternative in flavor and style – it is brill! Sung outstandingly by Mohit Chauhan, the song is perfect for his voice. The background music has acoustic guitars that have a full, wonderful sound. This is one fantastic track, with a great arrangement and great vocals, and every layer adds to the sound of the song to make it amazing. This one went on my Bollyplaylist before the song was even over.
Krishna is heard on Koshish Koshish, a very spirited musical track that has a very strong beat. In the beginning it almost has a call to arms feeling to it, but then it transposes into another song altogether, and then even another one, and a fourth. This IS the song for the climax performance, which explains the different musical genres. I think it will make its mark within the film once you see Gayatri and the other dancers perform the choreography in each section. I am really looking forward to seeing it.
Also included on the album is a series of the instrumentals by National Award winner Tarali Sharma that will fit into the narrative and are background music for short flashes of choreography. Here is a list and a few words about each:
Dance Class – Instrumental. It has a thumpin’ beat, great vocal, and a mixture of styles. I have heard the like in so many dance classes; it is a fantastic piece! Made me want to get up and try out my moves!
Audition – Instrumental. I will be very interested to see what the choreography will be to this. It is very Indian in basic style with a hip hop beat and some rap in there, too. There is also a second version, much more hip-hoppy (probably should not say hip-hoppy na?) I really liked this one!
Aftab & Suhani Competition – Instrumental. Not my fav musically but it will probably work when you see the dance moves they are doing in the competition.
Suhani Madness – Instrumental. My favorite of the instrumentals, love the feeling of the music and I cannot wait to see watch she does in the choreography, should be amazing if the music is anything to go by! There is also Suhani Madness – Option 2. Another great piece that while listening to it you can imagine the choreography or what you would do if you were to make the dance (at least I did). If you like instrumentals check these both out.
Kids Audition – Instrumental. Hard to judge this one, but I think it will make sense once we see the dance. Musically very good.
Kids Performance. Another mix of styles but done very well. I am excited to see the kids dance to this one, and it really makes me excited to see the film!
The soundtrack to Let’s Dance is filled with fantastic music, many, many different styles, and terrific vocals. However, I had a hard time coming up with a star rating for it because so many of the songs seem to be choreography/ context based and not strictly for listening. I decided in the end with the fabulousness of ‘Tumse Iqraar’ and ‘Jaana Hai’ and the quality of the rest of the songs in their separate musical style sections even if they are not everyday listening that I would go with a 2.5! Check it out, but then after you see the film definitely listen again!
Let’s Dance opens in theaters on June 19th! Come back to BollySpice this Sunday to read an interview with the star Gayatri Patel and also choreographer Longinus!
