Delhii Heights Music Review: It’s Rabbi all the way!

The music of Delhi Heights is the kind which takes a little listening to before you take to it. The film is fairly mediocre but the music definitely weaves its way into your heart, or at least the first two numbers on the album definitely do. And the reason is obvious. It is Rabbi Shergill who has written, composed and sung the two numbers. Of course, he has written and composed the entire soundtrack for this film, a first in itself. The Rabbi touch is quite evident in the album. If nothing else, the first two numbers are reason enough to listen to the album. The first number is called Dilli. As the name suggests it is a ballad on the Capital. The opening bars are truly quite mesmerizing and carry the feel of the song. Rabbi's style of rendition and his lyrics are what make this song the prefect opener for the album. Rabbi's lyrics about his relationship with the city and its nature, coupled with a strong presence of the guitar in this number, makes it a song which grows on you. The thrust on the word Dilli gives it certain punch as well. But it's the second song, Tere Bin, which belongs to Rabbi's earlier album, which really steals your heart. A love song, it is a perfect marriage of words and music. It is probably one of the sweetest and most catchiest love song ever heard. The flavour is Punjabi as also the lyrics. Only Rabbi could sing of love like this? Tere bin horn na kise, mangni merian bala (No one else but you wanted my demons). It is a gem and truly transports one into a land of romance and love. But the mood changes further into the album. The rest of the songs are not really in the same class as Dilli and Tere Bin, but they still have a certain freshness to them which is endearing. Musically speaking, they are not inferior in any way, but it's just that with the first two songs being so good, the rest have a tough act to follow. They are dwarfed somewhat in comparison. Kabhie Aana Na sung by Rabbi and Amit Sana of Indian Idol fame, has a very breezy, youthful feel to it. There is Rabbi's signature guitar strumming forming a backdrop to the song. With Kitni Der Tak, we are back in the world of love and romance, but there is a difference here. This is more of a light romantic song and not as intense as Tere Bin. Sung by Sonu Nigam and Rabbi, the most amazing thing about this song, and for most of the songs in this album, are the lyrics. There is a certain freshness to them which is not found in the normal Bollywood numbers. These are not your usual filmy numbers. They are contemporary, real and poetic. Aaja Nachle sung by Salim Shahzada is cast in the traditional mould. A dance number, it combines an element of fun. It is simple in its musical composition and rendition. The album wraps up with the number Ey Gori sung by Kailsah Kher and Sonu Kakkar. This is a Holi number. The song carries the flavour of the festival and is rendered well by Kher and Kakkar. The album is a little 'hatke' from the usual Bollywood filmi ones and that is its greatest merit. The credit for that has to go to Rabbi. He is all over the album and makes his presence felt in the most sonorous way possible.