Beat: PK

If there is one thing we have appreciated about the (Rajkumar) Hirani-Moitra-Kirkire combination in the past then that has got to be their ability to wear their hearts on their sleeve. But this time, their outing in the Aamir Khan and Anushka Sharma-starrer PK sounds desultory. Interesting only in parts, the album is mostly a slip into presumptuous phrasing. Also, it is the first time that Hirani has used two other composers besides Moitra, something that has thrown up not-so-bad tracks but all of them together do not sound like one album.

The album opens with Ajay Atul’s Tharki chokro, which is definitely the most valiant effort of the album. Sung by Swaroop Khan, the song mostly stays within the sprightly Rajasthani folk milieu and sporadic brass interludes make the song interesting. But the edge comes from the catchy rhythm structures of a dholak, which makes it an instantly likeable track. We loved the use of bulbul tarang on this one. “Tera koi pata toh hoga, hoga ration card?” asks Swanand, and expresses a basic point beautifully.

The bright and lively Nanga punga has Shreya Ghoshal attempt a rollicking number that comes with pleasent violin preludes. It’s a fun piece, right out of Moitra’s familiar arsenal.

It is after these two that everything in the album turns fidgety. Chaar kadam has Shaan and Ghoshal come together for this romantic duet, which sounds average. Love is a waste of time has some fun lyrics and shows Hirani’s attempt to get a Zubi zubi feel into this album. But it remains far away from that.

Bhagwan, despite Sonu Nigam’s passionate singing, does not leave much of an impact because of its tune. Dil darbadar makes us check our iPod, as if on shuffle mode.

Composed and sung by Tiwari, this Arijit Singh number sounds right out of a Mahesh Bhatt-Emraan Hashmi film. But that aside, the song itself does not hit the spot. A synth-based background paired with occasional guitar twangs and a heavily-treated Arijit voice, Tiwari hasn’t been able to pull this one off.

What we did not find in this album is Moitra’s ability to provide tranquillity. Everything sounds scattered. Overall, the album is far away from the classy yet varied compositions we are used to from Moitra. Buy it for the extremely entertaining and well-arranged Tharki chokro.