Purani Jeans Music Review: 'Dil Aaj Kal' Wins The Show

When the music of a film is being promoted as the one which is set in the 90s, the expectations go sky high. After all, this was the time when the likes of Nadeem-Shravan, Jatin-Lalit and Anand-Milind ruled the show and between them gave countless hits. Of course with Ram Sampath at the helm of affairs for Purani Jeans, one is led to believe that he has brought his own contemporary touch to the music. With multiple lyricists coming for a song apiece, one waits to see what is in store with Purani Jeans.

It is the sound of guitar which kick-starts the proceedings for Yaari Yaari. A friendship song which has Ram Sampath doing the honours behind the mike as well, this one turns out to be a fun number which carries good pace to it and maintains a smooth flow right through its quick fire 200 seconds duration. Ashish Pandit comes up with lyrics that speak the language of the youth and ensures a feel good outing.

Guitar is the starting point of Dil Aaj Kal too which is not just the best in the album but also one of the most enjoyable numbers of 2014 so far. It has the kind of romantic vibe to it which made the songs of Yaarian quite popular this year. In fact Prashant Ingole's lyrics are reminiscent of the 90s, hence making 'Dil Aak Kal' a quintessential number from the era gone by. Moreover, KK is in very good form here which makes 'Dil Aaj Kal' a number that deserves a repeat hearing. No wonder, when Sona Mohapatra goes solo in her uplugged outing for the same song, one stops by and plays it in loop too. A good composition.

Post these two songs, expectations really go much higher as one looks forward to many more soothing numbers. However what comes next is a dance number Out of Control Mundey which is written by Kunwar Juneja. Frankly, the song doesn't quite make much of an impression in the very first hearing though on being played repeatedly, one does get a hang of the sound. Still, even with Mika Singh's spirited singing and Suzanne D'Mello along with Deane Sequeira bringing on some naughtiness quotient, the end result is just about okay. One wonders whether better lyrics could have helped the cause for the song.

Ram Sampath brings himself back behind the mike with Yeh Beetey Din which is more in the rock world of the 90s than being set in a Bollywood mode. With a 'campus number' written all over it, this Munna Dhiman written number is strictly situational, though it is a pleasant outing nonetheless. It is a kind of number which carries potential to grow further when a film does well in theatres, as was the case with Give Me Some Sunshine <3 Idiots>. Having said that, the 'acoustic version' which comes towards the end of the album makes for a better outing as it gives an impression of a bonfire outing.

Last to arrive is a sad number Jind Meriye which is as routine as it gets and doesn't quite bring in a 'wow' factor. Navraj Hans along with Ram Sampath are the singers here for this 'Sufi-meets-soft-rock' setting which has lyrics by Munna Dhiman. A kind of number which typically arrives in the second half of a film, one just hopes that its four minute duration doesn't hamper the film's narrative.

The music of Purani Jeans is primarily suited for the film's setting and should aid its narrative. While 'Yaari Yaari' and 'Yeh Beetey Din' could be heard more especially after the film's release, 'Dil Aaj Kal' has in it to find itself being included in the favourites of the year so far.

Our Picks: Dil Aaj Kal, Yaari Yaari