One expects some 'dhamaal' music from a Sajid Khan film as the man has always believed in coming up with mass entertainers. This has been true with his films all this while and with Humshakals promising ton loads of entertainment with Himesh Reshammiya coming on board as a composer, you know for sure that there would be a lot for the star studded cast to sing and dance about.
High energy - This is integral to narrative of a Sajid Khan film and the very opening number Caller Tune pretty much reinstates that fact. Neeraj Shreedhar can be found in an enthusiastic mood as he goes about rendering this highly addictive number which catches your attention in the very first listening. Right from the start, this rhythmic number ensures that you play it in loop while on a high speed road trip. With Neeti Mohan joining Neeraj behind the mike with her husky vocals that do their job well in creating a seductive mood, 'Caller Tune' by Sameer Anjaan comes up trumps right at the beginning.
It is the opening sound of Piya Ke Bazaar Mein that reminds one of many a hardcore commercial tunes that were created by Lakshmikant Pyaarelal in the 70s and the 80s. The overall flavour of the song is also an ode to the era gone by where one remembers the likes of Mohd. Rafi and Asha Bhosle coming together for many a peppy outing. Himesh Reshammiya stays true to the genre and comes up with an out and out desi celebration number that has him coming along with Shalmali Kholgade & Palak Muchhal. Mayur Puri had a job in hand to come up with a 'desi' song and he does well with his words here.
From 'desi', the mood turns videsi with Just Look Into My Eyes coming next. Yet again, it is the rhythm right at the beginning catching your attention and by the time Ash King's voice is heard, you know that it is the the youngest song ever that has been placed by Sajid Khan in a film of his. In fact the way Saif Ali Khan and Esha Gupta groove on this number with Neeti Mohan sounding every bit an urban girl of today, you know that 'Just Look Into My Eyes' would be played in many a clubs and discotheques. Also, one must credit Sameer Anjaan for yet again catching the pulse of youth with his lyrics that suit the mood.
There is some good variety that comes into play once the rhythm build up takes place for Barbaad Raat. After Dhat Teri Ki <Gori Tere Pyaar Mein> an Ishq Bulava <Hasee Toh Phasee>, Sanam Puri gives a good account of his vocals all over again. Also, the manner in which Himesh Reshammiya and Mayur Puri come together for this song, you know for sure that Sanam has a hat-trick in the offering here. A young number again by Mayur Puri which should be elevated to a good level if supported by good picturisation, 'Barbaad Raat' also has Shalmali Kholgade to thank for her vocals that compliment the scene really well.
It is back to the 70s and the 80s with Himesh Reshammiya going solo for Hum Pagal Nahin Hai. A situational outing by Mayur Puri, this one is about the protagonists telling the world about their mental state in a fun filled manner. In fact whether it is the mukhda or the antara, one can sense that this is yet another number which has its base in Lakshmikant-Pyaarelal style of composing, especially the use of musical instruments. Unlike the earlier songs though, this one takes time to settle down, albeit primarily catering to just the narrative of the film.
Last to arrive is Shabbir Ahmed written Khol De Dil Ki Khidki which has Mika Singh and Palak Muchhal coming together. The song carries good rhythm to it, though overall it does carry a sense of deja vu to it in the manner in which it is written, composed, arranged and sung. Yes, overall it maintains good pace and the kind of high energy that has been the order for the music of Humshakals right from the opening number. Still, one would wait to see how the song comes across on screen as that would decide how far does it go from this point on.
With the music of Humshakals, one gets to hear exactly what one expected from it. Sajid Khan, Himesh Reshammiya and their team of lyricists and singers do well in ensuring that there is not even a moment of dullness in this quick-fire album with as many as half dozen songs. The pace works for the soundtrack and now one expects the film's narrative to be carrying a similar flavour too.
Our picks: Caller Tune, Piya Ke Bazaar Mein, Just Look Into My Eyes, Barbaad Raat